Where modern elegance meets historic charm, Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto offers a serene and sophisticated retreat in the heart of Kyoto. Located beside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle, this boutique sanctuary is the first Japanese outpost of the Banyan Group’s Garrya brand. Designed with a calming minimalist aesthetic infused with Eastern Zen philosophy, the hotel is an urban hideaway that speaks to travelers seeking inner balance and soulful experiences. With only 25 guest rooms and suites, the hotel embraces natural materials and neutral tones to create a sense of harmony and refinement. Many rooms overlook the lush seasonal beauty of Nijo Castle or the hotel’s peaceful courtyard garden, and every detail reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese artisans. 

At BOND, the hotel’s signature restaurant, seasonal ingredients and local produce are reimagined through a harmonious fusion of Japanese and international culinary influences. Guests can also unwind at the Wellness Lounge, which offers guided meditation, sound therapy, and quiet contemplation spaces, catering to the growing desire for mindful travel and well-being. Whether one seeks cultural immersion, restorative calm, or a moment of stillness amidst the city’s rhythm, Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto redefines luxury through simplicity, serenity, and heartfelt hospitality.

Located in the tranquil Vallée de Chevreuse, about a 45-minute drive southwest of Paris, Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay is a luxurious countryside retreat that seamlessly blends historical heritage with contemporary design. Originally founded in the 12th century as a Cistercian abbey, the property has witnessed centuries of transformation, from its monastic origins and periods of decline to its 19th-century restoration by the Rothschild family. Reborn in 2023 under the Paris Society collection, this remarkable estate spans over 185 acres of lakes, forests, and meadows, embodying the poetic serenity of the French countryside. The architecture merges Gothic and neoclassical elements, preserving vaulted arches, stained-glass windows, and stone façades while incorporating warm wood accents and modern lighting to create a refined, timeless atmosphere. The hotel features 145 rooms and suites spread across the main abbey, former stables, and forest-side annexes, with interiors ranging from minimalist elegance to ornate period style, some retaining original stone walls and vaulted ceilings, allowing guests to sleep within centuries of history.

Dining at the Abbaye offers a theatrical experience: Les Chasses, the signature restaurant, serves exquisite French cuisine, while Le Réfectoire des Moines, set within the original vaulted dining hall, evokes the spirit of monastic feasts under candlelight and stone arches. The estate also features an outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, private cinema, and children’s club, along with lakeside boating, forest walks, and countryside cycling. As one of France’s most iconic monastery conversions, Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay is more than a place to stay, it is a journey through time. Amid ancient stones and verdant valleys, guests experience the perfect harmony of pastoral tranquility and modern French luxury.