A Beautiful Historic Theater in Kyoto Just Reopened As One of Japan’s Most Exciting New Hotels—and We Were the First to Stay

I checked into the Imperial Resort, Kyoto two weeks forward of its official March 5 opening. The lodge brings Kyoto’s historic Yasaka Kaikan theater, deep within the coronary heart of Gion, again to life as a luxurious keep.

In 1936, building of the efficiency venue was financed by native geishas and their apprentices. The constructing nonetheless stands subsequent to Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō, Kyoto’s main geisha theater, and the Gion geisha college, on land owned by the varsity. Although designated as a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property, the theater finally fell into disrepair. When Gion’s geisha neighborhood determined the construction must be repurposed for a distinct kind of hospitality, they referred to as upon the Imperial Resort.

“The Gion district is mysterious, even for Japanese individuals. It’s revered,” says Reiko Sakata, the lodge’s basic supervisor. “[As a hotel brand], we’ve a 135-year historical past in Japan, and the individuals in Gion know that. They [invited] our lodge to come back right here, and we’re so grateful.”

Architect and designer Tomoyuki Sakakida prioritized preserving the theater’s exterior. Since Kyoto Metropolis now imposes a 40-foot peak restriction on new building within the neighborhood, retaining the Yasaka Kaikan’s 100-foot peak meant unparalleled—and ceaselessly unobstructed—visitor room and rooftop views. Exterior tiles had been eliminated and inspected one after the other. Now, about 10 p.c are authentic; the remaining are replicated.

The lodge additionally marks Imperial Resort’s first opening in 30 years, so there was an air of nice expectation throughout my pre-opening keep. The workers was wonderful, noticing my choice for decaf espresso within the afternoon or asking questions on my every day actions based mostly on earlier conversations. On my second day, the lodge’s concierge crew even whisked me to a tea home close to Gion’s postcard-worthy Hanamikoji Avenue to satisfy with a maiko, or an apprentice geisha, over wagashi confectionery and matcha tea.

Under, my full assessment of Imperial Resort, Kyoto.

The Rooms

The Imperial Resort, Kyoto, has 55 visitor rooms and suites, with various views. What weaves them collectively is the shared historical past and the design particulars that showcase native supplies, equivalent to cedar headboards, creamy silk wallpaper, zelkova wooden cabinets, and bedside lamps harking back to Japanese lanterns. Some suites embrace framed relics of the Yasakai Kaikan.

The 1,108-square-foot Yasaka Suite, with its heat woods and greens, gained me over for its authentic architectural particulars, however the Imperial Suite has a large terrace with a non-public tatami gazebo. Different visitor rooms and suites fall into three classes: Heritage or up to date rooms within the former theater’s predominant constructing or tatami rooms within the newly constructed North Wing.

Whereas many visitor rooms in the primary constructing provide views of Gion’s tea homes, these within the North Wing really feel as if you’re stepping inside one. I checked into room 101, a North Wing Grand Premier room, the place fragrant wooden plank flooring led to a beneficiant tatami bed room. By the window, daylight filtered by woven bamboo blinds onto a low seating space with a sloped wood ceiling.

Visitors in search of extra pure mild might desire a higher-floor room in the primary constructing. I additionally spent an evening in room 506, the place massive home windows let in breeze and daylight whereas framing the curved ceramic rooflines under. At about 592 sq. ft, this Premier room had a barely smaller footprint, nevertheless it’s nonetheless ample house for a pair or a solo traveler.

Meals and Drink 

The Imperial Resort, Kyoto, has two eating places and a bar: Yasaka for all-day eating, Ren for French delicacies, and the Previous Imperial Bar for refined cocktails served with meticulous care. “We don’t want a Japanese restaurant as a result of the individuals right here have already got the Japanese delicacies and tradition by themselves,” Sakata says.

At Ren, government chef Koji Imajo makes use of French strategies to arrange largely regional components dictated by Japan’s 24 photo voltaic phrases. And whereas Ren’s menus won’t be vegetarian by default, Imajo shortly and assuredly created a plant-based menu for me. I tasted a rapeseed blossom cake, roasted Shiitake mushrooms, and tender garlic shoots. The mugwort brioche, served with butter disguised as a raspberry, was scrumptious. The intimate setting—10 counter seats—permits Imajo and his crew to talk with visitors whereas they prep and plate, which elevates the expertise.

The Rooftop is a classy guest-only open-air bar that can provide a snack menu within the hotter months.

The Spa 

Whereas the spa menu, which can use Oskia skincare, was being finalized throughout my keep, I had a blissful hour-long therapy, combining dry shiatsu-style strategies and a soothing aromatherapy oil therapeutic massage.

Within the basement wellness flooring, the pool is the actual assertion piece. Sakakida designed it to really feel like swimming in a cave. Black loungers on darkish stone flooring recede into the shadows. The pool is flanked by 1.5-ton rough-cut boulders sourced from Shikoku Island.

As of my keep, the health heart, steam sauna, dry sauna, and Japanese deep soaking tubs weren’t but open.

Accessibility

The lodge has one designated accessible visitor room that includes lowered handles, an adjustable mattress, and loo seize rails. The bathe entrance has a small ledge.

Elevators had been put in through the historic constructing’s renovation. A public wheelchair-accessible rest room can be obtainable on the restaurant flooring.

The right way to Guide

Imperial Resort, Kyoto, is a member of Main Resorts of the World (LHW), the place visitors can earn Leaders Membership factors which are redeemable free of charge nights at any of the gathering’s 400-plus properties. LHW member perks additionally embrace a every day continental breakfast for 2, early check-in and late check-out (based mostly on availability), complimentary Wi-Fi, and improve precedence upon arrival.

Nightly charges at Imperial Resort, Kyoto begin at 164,500 yen (about $1,075).

Each T+L lodge assessment is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.