Hilton’s luxury brand LXR Hotels and Resorts has opened a new property in Kyoto, Japan.

Roku Kyoto is located beneath the Takagamine mountains in the north of the city within the 26-acre Shozan Resort Kyoto, a luxury enclave home to some of Kyoto’s most notable Japanese gardens and authentic tea houses. The property sits within walking distance from the Kinkaku-ji ‘Golden Pavilion’ and other historic temples, such as the Koetsuji Temple and the Genkoan Temple.

The hotel features 114 guest rooms, including the Roku Suite, with views of the mountain range along the Tenjin River; the Peak Suite, overlooking the Takagamine mountains; Garden Deluxe rooms, which each feature a private onsen with a garden; and Poolside Deluxe rooms, with direct access to the outdoor onsen thermal pool from the room’s private terrace. 

A Roku spa offers traditional Japanese spa therapies and treatments,  a natural onsen pool, a 24-hour fitness room and a lawn for yoga and mediatation. 

The hotel’s restaurant overlooks the Tenjin River and specialises in French-style dishes, using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also features a Chef’s Table for an exclusive seasonal course menu, a bar with signature cocktails and a lounge with panoramic views. 

The hotel was built on the grounds of a renowned artisan colony where the classical Rinpa school of Japanese painting was founded around 400 years ago by Hon’ami Koetsu, a Japanese artist, poet, calligrapher, tea master, and landscape designer.

As such, the hotel has been designed to reflect an artist’s residence by international design firm Blink Design Group, with interiors blending traditional and modern Japanese decor. The hotel features lacquerware at the entrance, bamboo art pieces in the restaurant, ceramic artefacts in the spa and karakami decorative paper in the guest rooms. 

Experiences at the hotel include a temple pilgrimage guided by a priest; learning ‘kintsugi’⁠, the art of restoring pottery with gold; traditional ceramic art; and papermaking by hand with water sourced from the Tenjin River.

Feisal Jaffer, global head of LXR Hotels and Resorts, said: “LXR Hotels and Resorts feature a network of distinctive, best-in-class luxury hotels that thrive independently yet are unified by their unrivalled commitment to personalised service with each property providing a truly local and captivating experience.

“The highly-anticipated opening of Roku Kyoto is the perfect addition to our expanding portfolio and an important brand milestone as the inaugural LXR property in the region.”

Alan Watts, president of Asia-Pacific at Hilton, added: “Welcoming LXR Hotels and Resorts in Asia-Pacific marks a key milestone in our expanding luxury footprint in the region, complementing the award-winning Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands to offer the full spectrum of luxury experiences here.

“We are thrilled to partner with Tokyu Land Corporation and Tokyu Resorts and Stays Co., Ltd. to bring the LXR brand to Kyoto, one of the world’s most alluring destinations.

“I am confident that Roku Kyoto will deliver a bespoke experience of Kyoto and fully immerse travellers in the unique charms of the city, attracting both domestic and international travellers once it is safe to travel again.”

Roku Kyoto represents the ninth property in the LXR portfolio and Hilton’s inaugural property in Kyoto.