There are a total of 149 guestrooms and suites at The Kitano, including a unique Tatami suite with veritable Japanese décor. All rooms are decorated in rather a sober fashion, although there is no doubting the quality of the furniture (made from mahogany and cherry wood), upholstery and amenities which have to meet the high standards expected of the high number of Japanese guests. The standard rooms are of a very respectable size for this part of town and are carpeted and painted in tones of tan and cream, similar colours to the curtains and armchairs. The rooms have a king bed dressed in fine white linens with a rust coloured plain strewn across its foot. Either side are bedside tables with reading lamps and an alarm clock while a long writing desk with its ergonomic chair has a telephone, keyboard and mutli-plug outlets. There is a censored minibar within the desk which is locked unless you request otherwise as well as a green tea machine on an occasional table by the seating corner. Other amenities in the room include a flatscreen television, iron and ironing board, safe, umbrella, shoe kit and robe and slippers. You'll notice too that the rooms are perfectly quiet thanks to soundproof windows with a special winding opening and closing system. The bathrooms pretty much entirely fitted out in marble, have large mirrors, bathtub/shower combination, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, hairdryer and heated towel rack with custom towels. Larger guestrooms are available offering more living space as well as extra beds and furniture.
There are various types of suite available at The Kitano, the smallest of which is the junior suite, which offers a superior living space as well as separate bathtub and shower in the bathroom and views of Park Avenue. In a separate townhouse are accommodated three unique suites which are more like apartments with the split level bedroom and salon separated by a corridor. The latter has a music system, book collection and pieces of art by New York based artists. Several executive suites boast Manhattan views along with jacuzzi tubs, Japanese bidets, dining tables and of course generous living spaces.
But the jewel in the accommodation crown at The Kitano is the Tatami suite, located on the 17th floor of the hotel and which boasts not only a dining room, but also a traditional Japanese tea ceremony room in the centuries-old architectural style sukiya-zukuri. The décor in the room also includes traditional tatami mats and painted shojiscreens.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
