New York City hosts travelers from all over the world every day, and offers a wide variety of accommodations to make them feel at home. Although there's a large number of Japanese restaurants and entertainment options in the Big Apple, there's only one hotel that identifies itself as uniquely Japanese---The Kitano New York Hotel, located in Murray Hill within Midtown. Catering to both the business and luxury leisure traveler, The Kitano offers a fusion of Eastern and Western design to combine the best of both worlds in accommodations and dining experience.
Close to the Morgan Library and within walking distance to Grand Central Station, the Kitano serves as a meeting point between East and West. Asian-themed hardwood decor graces the lobby as you walk in, and touches of traditional Japan can be seen in everything from the plants near the reception desk to the restaurant's elegant simplicity reflected in its dinnerware. Business travelers from both America and Japan are the regular clients, but it's not unusual to find people with young children as well given the hotel's proximity to 42nd Street. Most of the service and wait staff speak both English and Japanese, and the website is available for perusal in both languages.
The Kitano New York
66 Park Avenue at E. 38th Street
New York City, NY 10016
212-885-7000
kitano.com
The Kitano offers a restaurant called Hakubai, a unique dining option for hotel guests as well as those who just want to experience authentic Japanese flavor. Hakubai's cuisine is based on "Kaiseki," a specialized meal whose origins come from Zen Buddhist tradition. A kaiseki is made up of several small dishes that meld form and function to create culinary works of art, presented in portions over a specified period of time (usually two or three hours). Japanese chefs consider kaiseki to be a highly individualized experience, so the offerings on a kaiseki menu change regularly---often daily. Meals are served in Japanese-style rooms with Western seating accommodations (chairs with legs), except for the Tatami room, which provides traditional Japanese seating accommodations.
For those not interested in the kaiseki experience, Hakubai also offers an a la carte menu in addition to special monthly business lunch menus, a Lady's Lunch Special and a "Kenbi" Special for the health conscious.
Rooms at The Kitano range from the standard Superior King- or full-sized bed, to a number of different suites to accommodate varying tastes. Most of the suites offer walk-in closets and a Jacuzzi, but you should inquire before booking.
The Tatami Suite is 805 square feet with classic, traditional Japanese furniture and decor including wood floors and paper shoji screens. The room comes equipped with either two twin beds or a futon, whichever the guest prefers.
All rooms feature soundproof windows, complimentary cable with English and Japanese channels, and toiletries provided by Gilchrist and Soames.
Special events occur throughout the year at the Kitano, and many of them can be enjoyed by the public. The Bar Lounge on the mezzanine features live jazz every Wednesday through Saturday evening, and the schedule can be viewed on The Kitano's website. During every New Year's celebration guests can take in the traditional Japanese seasonal decorations, including the "kadomatsu" to ward off evil and the "kagami-mochi" (mooncake) located inside Hakubai. A cup of complimentary sake is served on New Year's Day to welcome the New Year.
