Tokyo-based Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts has opened The Prince Kitano New York following a years-long renovation. Formerly known as The Kitano Hotel New York, the refreshed property now is part of The Prince portfolio, the company’s flagship hotel brand. The Prince Kitano New York is Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts’ first property located in the continental U.S.
“Following years of success in Japan, the opening of The Prince Kitano New York is an important landmark in the next chapter of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts," Yoshiki Kaneda, president and CEO of Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. "The brand has built an incredible reputation through decades of championing omotenashi, which has brought authentic Japanese hospitality to travelers around the world. With the opening of The Prince Kitano New York, we hope to deliver this unique guest experience to one of the greatest cities in the world and propel the brand further into the global spotlight.”
Located at 66 Park Avenue, The Prince Kitano New York is centrally positioned with access to Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and other popular landmarks. The building dates back to the 19th century when it was owned by the Rockefeller family. In 1973, it opened as The Kitano Hotel New York, the first Japanese-owned hotel in New York City.
To spearhead the redesign of several signature spaces throughout the property, Prince Hotels & Resorts tapped architecture firm Modellus Novus, which has worked on other high-profile projects such as chef Kwame Onwuachi’s restaurant Tatiana at Lincoln Center and the upcoming opening of Michelin-starred restaurant concept COTE in Singapore. The lobby, restaurant areas and guestrooms have been updated with a modernized look.
The lobby, which acts both as a central socialization hub and as a passageway to the many destinations within the hotel, got new elements nodding to the property’s Japanese influence. A dog sculpture made by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, often petted by guests, was shifted to the lobby’s entrance. Akari Light Sculptures from Isamu Noguchi illuminate the space. Rice-paper accents, blue suede chairs, pea green velvet pillows and eggplant-colored carpets introduce bold textures and colors and help create a comforting, classic ambiance.
The hotel has 150 accommodations, with 109 guestrooms and suites refurbished as part of the reopening. Reaching up to 968 square feet, the revamped rooms were enhanced with a warm color palette and unique artwork. The Deluxe Junior Suite have dark emperador stone finishes, hair-on hide leather upholstery and Spanish marble countertops.