By Donna Lu Photos by Zhou Zhiping
Hotel Resol is located near the entrance to Sanjo Shopping Street on Kawaramachi-dori, situated within the bustling pedestrian area of Shijo-Kawaramachi. It offers excellent shopping and dining options, as well as great transportation access—making it a perfect base for both business and leisure trips in Kyoto. Despite being in the city center, the moment you pass through the noren curtain and step into the entrance, the scent of incense immediately transports you away from the hustle and bustle. The warm and polite greetings at the front desk also reflect the unique hospitality of the people of Kyoto.
Though situated on the busy Kawaramachi street, the hotel entrance is discreet and low-profile, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
In Kyoto, it is customary for inns and traditional restaurants to wet the entrance area to signify cleanliness and readiness to welcome guests. Although Hotel Resol is a Western-style hotel, it follows this tradition.
This site was originally the residence of Meiji Restoration activist Goto Shojiro in Kyoto, known as “X魑荨保?In this historical context, Hotel Resol blends traditional Kyoto culture with modern design to create a culturally rich, contemporary business lodging. It transforms accommodation from mere rest into an enriching cultural experience. The hotel entrance features a small museum showcasing historical materials from the Meiji Restoration and exhibits on the area’s unique canal culture.
The small exhibition space, themed around the late Edo and Meiji Restoration periods, displays precious artifacts such as letters from Goto Shojiro and a sword gifted by the Queen of England.
The Takase River at the back of the hotel once served as an important waterway for shipping, and a small model captures the geographic scenery of the late Edo period.
Upon entering the lobby, the minimalist design and abundant wooden elements give the hotel a stylish vibe unique to Kyoto. Floors 2F to 10F house the guest rooms, while the 1F contains the front desk and the B1 level hosts the breakfast area and laundry facilities. A special highlight is the lounge “Ochaya no Ma” on the first floor, transformed from an old Japanese warehouse. Behind heavy doors, gold leaf-adorned walls enclose a relaxed space furnished with several books about Kyoto. Make yourself a coffee and you might just want to stay there forever.
The hotel pays attention to every small detail and is meticulous about its hardware facilities. A classic “Egg Chair” designed by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen is available for guests to relax in right by the front desk.
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