Design

Mercure hotels, which are more than 1,000 hotels throughout the world, create a stimulating sense of place, providing immersive local experiences based on a brand concept of “Locally inspired”.

Kyoto, where the hotel is located, is Japan’s premier cultural city, with a history spanning over 1,200 years.
At the beginning of its history, it was the aristocracy that became the center of the city once called Heian-Kyo.
They have enjoyed play not only as a pastime but also as an important education.
The furniture and fittings in the hotel are designed with the Aristocrat’s play in mind, making your stay more exciting with the elegant aristocratic era and the refined contemporary design of the space.

Lobby

Lobby which has a concept of "Kemari"

Kemari is an ancient Japanese ball game popular among aristocrats in Heian period, in which players continuously kick a deerskin ball called “mari”, aiming to keep it from touching the ground.
The ceiling of the 1st floor lobby and the dome of the check-in counter are made with handmade Kyoto washi paper, resembling the parts used to make an origami ball. The 650 glass balls with a ball motif are inspired by the colors of kimonos worn back then. Each one is handcrafted by an artisan, and each one has a different pattern.

B1F Lounge

A social space inspired by the concept of Gagaku

Gagaku is a type of Japanese classical music, and in the Heian period, private concerts were held among aristocrats.
Based on the concept of gagaku, the B1F lounge combines six themes: “Gagaku instrument objects,” “Heian motifs,” “toys,” “decorative literature,” “decorative Japanese-bound books,” and “books to read,” to create a memorable and attractive library space.
The “books to read” are a wide variety of books on Japanese traditions and culture, contemporary art, and Japanese anime.

Restaurant

Italian restaurant with a concept of "Kyokusui no Utage"

Italian restaurant TRATTORIA M KYOTO depicts the elegant and splendid atmosphere of aristocrats enjoying banquets.
The tapestries on the walls were created from scratch, inspired by picture scrolls, maps, and Hyakunin Isshu poems of the time, and the ceiling light uses handmade washi paper, same as the one in the lobby. Display shelves are decorated with bonsai tree and Japanese-bound books that are said to have originated in the Heian period, creating interior decor unique to an Italian restaurant.
The walls of the bar area are decorated with magnificent art that expresses the beauty, tranquility, and freshness of moss in the mountains.

Guest rooms & Elevator hall

aristocrat's touch

In the elevator hall of the 1st floor lobby, there are artworks on display, including scrolls reminiscent of the elegant kimonos of Heian period aristocrats, bonsai trees which are said to have originated in the late Heian period, and Kyoto landscapes embroidered with Japanese patterns.
In addition, the guest rooms’ headboards and wall-hanging artwork incorporate motifs of fans and spinning tops, as well as lighting fixtures inspired by Japanese hairpins and wall designs inspired by yukimi shoji screens, all of which are designed to give guests a Japanese touch.