The Park Hyatt Brand Celebrates Debut of Park Hyatt Kyoto
The 70-room luxury guesthouse in Japan’s ancient capital offers a journey of discovery through refined cultural and culinary experiences
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Park Hyatt Kyoto. Set in the heart of this noble city with centuries of history and heritage, Park Hyatt Kyoto unfolds a journey of discovery with enriching, sophisticated and rare experiences.
Park Hyatt Kyoto is located in one of the city's best-preserved historic districts, Higashiyama hills. The region, known as the birthplace of traditions such as the Japanese tea ceremony, the Ikebana flower arrangement and Japanese Zen gardens, will offer a rich foundation for the hotel. Park Hyatt Kyoto embodies the quintessential Japanese guesthouse, offering a serene Higashiyama hillside retreat for discerning global travellers and local residents. The hotel is next to Kodai-ji temple and within walking distance to many of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Kiyomizu-dera temple, and offers sweeping views of the city and Yasaka Pagoda. Park Hyatt Kyoto is located less than one mile (1.5 kilometres) from the Kyoto train station, which connects travellers to Tokyo in just over two hours via the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train.
“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of Park Hyatt Kyoto, the second Park Hyatt hotel in Japan in 25 years, and to offer guests a refined home-away-from-home in this remarkable city,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “We are grateful to the hotel’s owners, Kyoyamato and Takenaka Corporation, for their trust, support and deep understanding of luxury hospitality. Park Hyatt Kyoto is a celebration of Japanese harmony and tranquility and we look forward to seeing guests immerse themselves in the city’s inspiring heritage and culture.”
Located within the same grounds as Park Hyatt Kyoto, guests can find a historic garden with steps leading to Kyoyamato, a traditional ryotei and culinary institution which opened in 1877 and serves authentic, seasonally inspired Kaiseki cuisine. Kyoyamato, one of the hotel’s owners, is a seven-generation, family-run business and consists of several historic buildings including “Soyotei,” a teahouse from the Edo era with a private room where feudal warlords once secretly met. Its storied gardens and traditional houses complement the hotel’s modern interpretation of classical Japanese architecture and intimate hospitality.
“We are excited to introduce the Park Hyatt brand of personal and exceptional hospitality in a special place like Kyoto and look forward to unlocking the unique character of Japan’s ancient capital of high arts and craft,” said Mark de Leeuwerk, general manager, Park Hyatt Kyoto. “It has been a privilege for us to work closely with our neighbors in Higashiyama as well as the artisans and craftsmen of this beautiful city.”
Concept and Design
Park Hyatt Kyoto is a modern interpretation of Japanese hospitality steeped in culture and place, immersing guests in nature. Jointly developed by Takenaka Corporation – one of the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in Japan, and Tony Chi and Associates, an award-winning interior design firm – the hotel’s design and construction incorporates traditional Japanese design, architecture and artisanal craftsmanship. Several historic buildings including an Edo-era teahouse, as well as the Japanese garden that is central to the site, have been preserved and carefully restored.
Guestrooms
The low-rise hotel features 70 guest rooms, including nine suites, offering calm and respite from the bustle of Higashiyama's neighboring streets. The elegantly designed rooms and suites highlight local craftsmanship and materials such as fragrant Tamo wood, original artwork and Zen garden views.
Drinking and Dining
Park Hyatt Kyoto offers guests and visitors four distinct culinary venues:
Kyoto Bistro is a casual, street-side café featuring international and Japanese comfort food prepared with locally sourced and organic ingredients in a lively, open kitchen. All dishes are served on handmade earthenware exclusively created for the hotel by Asahiyaki, a local pottery master with a heritage of over 400 years in Uji, a city south of Kyoto.
Bathed in natural light during the day and the lingering scent of Tamo wood from the open fireplace, The Living Room welcomes guests to start their day with an authentic Japanese breakfast expertly prepared by Kyoyamato or an afternoon enjoying tea and light snacks.
Yasaka’s team of skilled chefs demonstrate their elevated cooking skills on the Japanese “teppan,” or “steel plate,” which guests can enjoy alongside the breathtaking views of Kyoto’s famous Yasaka Pagoda.
After the stimulating teppanyaki action at Yasaka, guests can head next door to Kohaku, where a fine collection of rare and craft spirits, including artisanal whiskey, sake, and gin made in Kyoto, awaits. The intimate bar exudes a warm, classic atmosphere with its dark woods and leather textures.
Events and Wedding
Park Hyatt Kyoto is positioned to be the city’s premier location for unique, timeless, and crafted experiences inspired by the tradition and majesty surrounding the hotel and the city. Alongside views of a Tsuboniwa Japanese garden, the elegant ballroom offers 2,153 square feet (200 square meters) of event space and multi-functional meeting facilities, a show kitchen, foyer and the latest audio-visual system.
Wellness
A tranquil heaven, The Spa at Park Hyatt Kyoto, has a treatment suite for two with a private bath house including Japanese-style bathtubs, as well as dry and mist saunas. The signature treatment features an original signature oil developed by Kotoshina, a Kyoto-based organic skincare brand using locally harvested green tea. The spa and adjacent wellness center are open only to guests staying at the hotel.
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