Silence reigns in high-end hospitality

Spaces and services that offer a sense of stillness and simplicity are redefining the high-end hospitality experience. Hotels are drawing on Asian traditions to celebrate simplicity and translating the raw asceticism of traditional Japanese ryokan hotels into luxury experiences.

In Tokyo, the newly opened Hoshinoya hotel is described as the city’s first luxury ryokan. Located in the heart of the city’s bustling financial district Otemachi, the space stands in stark contrast to its surroundings. Instead of a concierge desk, visitors are greeted at the entrance by a contemplative art installation and asked to remove their shoes to avoid disturbing the stillness of the space. The rooms feature straw mat flooring and simple futons instead of beds. Guests are invited to wash in communal open-air onsens – traditional Japanese hot spring baths. Prices range from £750 ($965, €860) per night for a basic room to £1,900 ($2,450, €2,170) during the high season.