02 Aug 2023
Ritz-Carlton expands in Japan with new urban retreat on Kyushu island
BY Megan Whitby
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, part of Marriott International's portfolio of 31 hotel brands, has opened The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu in Southern Japan.
Rising above the city of Fukuoka, the 167-key hotel is situated within a 364ft glass tower of Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City. With 25 storeys, the Kume Sekkei-designed building is the tallest urban lifestyle complex in the city's core commercial district.
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka occupies the tower’s nine topmost floors and is crowned with a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa on the 24th floor.
The wellness facility features an indoor pool overlooking the bay, a gym with sweeping city views, a steamroom, separate men's and women’s lounges as well as both single and double private rooms.
Treatments at the spa range from scrubs and couple’s massages to facials and a selection of signature spa experiences. The rituals incorporate local ingredients in addition to products from ESPA.
"We’re thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Ritz-Carlton with the opening of the brand's seventh hotel in Japan," said Tina Edmundson, president, luxury for Marriott.
"Since we first debuted the Ritz-Carlton brand in Japan in 1997, the brand has been consistently recognised for its legendary luxury and service. We’re excited to further strengthen our luxury positioning in the country by entering a new and emerging destination such as Fukuoka."
Overseen by Melbourne-based Layan Architects + Designers, the hotel's interior design and art take inspiration from Fukuoka's traditional yarn-dyed silk and kimono weaving craft, called "Hakata-ori".
Fukuoka was once a key waypoint of Silk Road trade routes, and today the city remains a major gateway between Japan and the rest of Asia.
The destination is famous for its annual festivals, such as the 800-year-old Hakata Gion Yamakasa summer festival, designated by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Other attractions include its beaches, natural parks and historic landmarks.
Additional facilities at the hotel include a kids’ club, event space, a chapel and four restaurants and two bars that reflect the vibrant food culture of Fukuoka.
Ritz-Carlton is one of Marriott’s premium luxury brands. It currently operates more than 110 hotels in 35 countries and territories and has a pipeline of development properties on the way.
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