Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the opening of Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto. Owned by Mori Trust Co., Ltd., Suiran marks the first Luxury Collection hotel in Japan, offering the brand’s signature Luxury Collection Concierge service and indigenous experiences in Kyoto – a cultural and spiritual nexus for countless Japanese traditions.
“We are thrilled to unveil Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto – a portal to the city’s rich cultural heritage and exquisite natural setting,” said 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,” continued 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.”
Ryokan-style accommodations
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: from the dramatic cherry blossoms in Spring and the lush verdure in Summer, to Autumn’s bright tapestry of leaves and silvery blankets of snow in Winter.
Suiran also offers two private treatment rooms equipped with a Japanese-style open-air bath as well as the option for in-room treatments. Guests can enjoy traditional Japanese-style treatments, including SEIRAN, a body massage with tea seed oil, scrub with green tea and facial treatment with jade stones and collagen mask.
Culinary experiences
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.
“It is an honor to be part of the opening of Suiran, a wonderful addition to The Luxury Collection’s portfolio,” said Hiroshi Komoto , General Manager. “With an esteemed past as well as a Japanese-style experience defined by renowned Japanese hospitality and cuisine, Suiran will resonate with sophisticated and affluent guests seeking a different, more refined side of travel.
