Embodying a heady mix of no-filter landscapes, genuine hospitality and fascinating contrast of preserved ancient culture and ultra-modern shine, Japan is as sensuous as it is enticing.
Historically the largest city and still thought to be the heart of Japan, Kyoto is famed for its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, traditional Japanese architecture and beautiful cherry gardens. Six Senses Kyoto will open in a prime location to provide an urban sanctuary, ready for the many festivals and cultural events on offer on the doorstep.
With its meandering paths through tranquil gardens and its feel-good spa, Six Senses Kyoto is sited in front of the Myoho-in temple and Tokyokuni-Jinja shrine and within walking distance of the colorful Gion district.
Visionary thinking BLINK Design Group has been brought on board to bring the Six Senses brand values to life through elegant designs while maximizing space, privacy and views. The interiors contrast simple lines with earthy organic tones and a “beauty in the details” vibe, setting a calming and welcoming mood and celebrating authentic Japanese traditions and décor.
There will be a total of 81 guest rooms organized around a central courtyard, which connects guests to nature through its biophilic design as a garden of seasonal landscapes.
It is not just the rooms that optimize human health: the spa with wellness facilities is as generous as it is comprehensive, blending traditional healing and Japanese Zen culture into the wellness experience. From the Ryokan-style welcome to tea ceremonies and signature treatments, the spa will focus on healing rituals to induce calm and well-being. The spa lounge will incorporate a retail offering including vibrant and fun fashion and homeware collections and a variety of skincare and lifestyle products.
The hotel journey is designed to mirror the different energies of the city life, from the sensory stimulation and movement of the street to the stillness and calm of a Zen garden. Guests will meander freely from these outside spaces into the indoor dining areas, which include an All-Day Dining Restaurant, Specialty Sushi Restaurant, Brew Bar, and Cocktail Lounge Bar. Added delights will include meeting rooms with a fireplace and an Earth Lab. Boredom being the nemesis of any family holiday, in Kyoto that is never on the agenda thanks to its fairy-tale charm and child-friendly attractions. Six Senses Kyoto will also offer a host of Grow With Six Senses arts, crafts, ecological and wellness activities to attune children to Japanese customs in a playful, immersive way.
“We’re delighted to announce our entry into Japan’s cultural heart, Kyoto. Together with our partners, Tokyo-based Wealth Management, we’re tapping into Kyoto’s rich cultural significance and our brand ethos of sustainability and uplifting experiences to develop a premier wellness-focused destination. The food, impeccable and thoughtful service, gardens, lanes, architecture, and healing and bathing rituals create an exciting addition for us, and downtown location for guests to relax and reconnect. See you in 2024!” says Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs.
While Kyoto is popular all year round, the spring Sakura (cherry blossoms) and fall foliage are the most iconic. Given its central location, Six Senses Kyoto will appeal to guests seeking culture, history, shopping, and gastronomy – simply hop on one of the hotel’s e-bikes.
“We are delighted to welcome Six Senses as our partner to launch Six Senses Kyoto, its first hotel in Japan, in Kyoto’s Higashiyama or ‘Rokuhara’ District. The development carefully incorporates the historic and cultural essence of the locale. Its design concept, which is reminiscent of an ancient temple, along with the gardens cradled within the site, will be fused with the Six Senses brand values. This allows us to offer a one-of-a-kind hotel to guests from around the world,” says Kazutoshi Senno, representative director and president of Wealth Management, Inc.
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas manages 19 hotels and resorts and 27 spas in 19 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas, and has signed a further 34 properties into the development pipeline. Six Senses is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts family. Six Senses Kyoto is set to open in 2024.
