The First ‘Detached Hotel’ Opens its Doors in Kyoto

A far cry from the concept of all-inclusive holidays, Enso Ango in Kyoto hopes to force its visitors out of their bubble. The hotel was created in order for tourists to have more opportunities to discover their surroundings. Each of the five buildings is set apart by a few hundred metres, and to access the hotel restaurant from their rooms, guests have to walk for a few minutes through the city centre, giving them the chance to admire its beauty or to stop to admire local artisans’ creations.

Forging a social connection

Enso Ango does not only lend itself to serendipity: it also seeks to reinvigorate the local economy and forge a social connection. The hotel breaks apart the closed circuits in which foreign tourists often find themselves and encourages them to explore Kyoto on their own terms, all while providing the reassurance of being just a few steps away.

The hotel might be scattered, but it remains luxurious. The interior design of the 86 rooms, with white walls and wooden detailing, was conceived of so as to offer guests a zen-like experience. This minimalist aesthetic can be found throughout the five buildings, created by a team of Swiss and Japanese designers. A state-of-the-art gym and work by contemporary artists can be found alongside tatami mats and sliding shoji panels made from wood and rice paper. The concept of dispersed hotels comes from Europe and can be found most notably in certain villages in southern Italy that have experienced a rural exodus.

More information on hotel Enso Ango is available on its website.