Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the opening of Suiran, the first Luxury Collection hotel in Japan.
Situated in Kyoto – a cultural and spiritual nexus for countless Japanese traditions – the hotel will feature the brand’s signature Luxury Collection Concierge service.
“We are thrilled to unveil Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto – a portal to the city’s rich cultural heritage and exquisite natural setting,” says Lothar Pehl, senior vice president, operations and global initiatives, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “The Luxury Collection’s unique brand proposition combined with renowned Japanese hospitality makes Suiran perfectly poised to strengthen Starwood’s luxury portfolio in Japan.”
“The debut of Suiran marks a significant milestone for The Luxury Collection brand in Japan,” continues Meredith Dichter, global brand director, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “Kyoto, a city shaped by rich traditions, coveted treasures and storied history, is the perfect destination to debut the brand to our most discerning global guests.”
Located in the Arashiyama district in the western part of Kyoto, Suiran is idyllically situated on the riverside with sweeping views of the Arashiyama hills, a National Historic Site, and Place of Scenic Beauty, which is home to the famed Bamboo Grove. The residential hotel occupies part of the grounds of Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site that formerly housed ‘Rantei,’ a well-known traditional Japanese ryokan from the 1960s long used by the Japanese government to entertain honorable guests.
Suiran features 39 luxuriously-appointed guestrooms, inspired by traditional ryokan-style accommodations, ranging from 500 to 1,000 square feet. Each room is designed to feature traditional motifs and culturally significant hues, while offering unparalleled natural vistas each season.
Suiran has preserved elements of its esteemed past, including two original structures, ‘Enmei-kaku,’ which was built in 1899, and ‘Hasshoken,’ constructed in 1910, which have undergone extensive restoration and now house the hotel’s restaurant, Kyo Suiran, and café, Saryo Hassui. Kyo Suiran offers a traditional yet modern dining experience where guests can enjoy locally inspired flavors in an authentic atmosphere. With its exposed straw-thatched roof, pillars and moon-shaped windows, Saryo Hasui serves exquisite meals centered around Japanese green tea.
