2014 will see a bumper crop of new luxury hotels. (Check out our hotel preview for a full run-down of the openings.) One such property is the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, which will debut on the banks of the Kamogawa River in February 2014. Billed as an “urban resort” that “pays homage to the region’s cultural heritage,” the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto seeks to create a strong sense of place in its design by the Japan-based Spin Studio. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kyoto is steeped in history and cultural heritage, and the new Ritz-Carlton aims to pay homage to that.
Overlooking the river and the Higashiyama Mountains, the 134 rooms will be equipped with Nespresso machines, frette linens, and spacious bathrooms with toiletries by Asprey of London, Japanese IMABARI robes and towels, and separate soaking tubs and rainshowers. Booking tip: Choose a suite with an outdoor garden that’s reminiscent of the traditional Japanese tsukimidai “moon-viewing deck.” Buzz: The serene Spa by ESPA—with seven treatment rooms, a fitness room, and a pool—will add to the hotel’s allure as a top Kyoto destination for luxury travelers.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is helmed by General Manager Yuji Tanaka.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto; Address: Kamogawa Nijo-ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0902 Japan; Tel: +81 75 746 5555; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Kyoto/Default.htm
