Located on the site of the Mitsui family’s former grand residence, the hotel’s historic credentials are instantly established by the handsome curved roof of the Kajiimiya Gate, which once marked the entrance to the original home. The designers have seamlessly blended Kyoto’s heritage and traditional culture with upscale contemporary design to create a serene base from which to explore the city.

 The building’s low-rise, white-walled architecture reflects the 17th century UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle located opposite, and the hotel is wrapped around a delightful Japanese ‘strolling’ garden, with a weeping willow, pond, and steppingstones. Inside horizonal washi lights, ceiling installations inspired by kimono textiles, contemporary abstract sculpture and a corridor of light wooden beams echoing the torri gates of the city’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, set the refined and elegant tone.

 The Mitsui has 161 rooms and suites, all designed with a nod to Japan’s traditional teahouses, featuring pale birch wood, light-green carpets, walnut furniture, and silk headboards. Light stone bathtubs and amenities by Parfum Satori add to the sophisticated vibe. There are four categories of room – Deluxe, Premier, Garden and Nijo, depending on how much space you require. Guests can choose rooms facing the gardens, the city or Nijo Castle itself.  For extra room trade up to one of the 22 suites, which include two Onsen Suites, with private outdoor onsen bathing.

The hotel has two excellent restaurants. Toki offers seasonal ‘gastronomy teppan,’ a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine in a beautifully designed space. Diners can watch the chefs cooking on the teppan hot plate, from the long birch wood counter. For more casual all-day dining, Forni offers a selection of Italian dishes and is also the setting for breakfast, with a choice of Western and Japanese fare. For afternoon tea or an evening cocktail, head to the Garden Bar.

The hotel’s ‘ambassadors’ perform tea ceremonies and conduct art tours of the hotel. Within the garden is a stunning ceremonial room, Shiki-no-ma, a traditional space used for special dining events and morning Wellness Breathing Sessions. Guests can also enjoy the Thermal Spring Spa, with its black-walled hot spring bathing pool. The hotel is the only city centre luxury accommodation with its own source of hot spring water and there is also a fitness centre, spa, sauna and steam room.