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Walls cascading with plants and greenery give this space a lush feel with fine views of the surrounding mountains, while the intricate Basque-Japanese fusion cooking from local Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa is original, with the tasting menu featuring dishes like hake in tempura and green sauce, and roasted squid.
The 45 rooms and 11 suites are blissfully quiet, and more elegant than ever after a subtle glow up from Jean-Phillipe Nuel during COVID, think soft shades of cream, grey and mauve to complement the period marble fireplaces, decorative mouldings and high ceilinged arches, all still accessorised with the same collection of 17th century fine furnishings picked out by Wolf’s housekeeper, the daughter of a Parisian antique dealer.
Mattresses are thermoregulated, the pillow menu has 11 categories, the integrated Siro app controls blackout blinds to wake guests up in natural synchronisation with their circadian rhythm, and – at the recommendation of elite runners who test-drove the rooms ahead of the Dubai Marathon – ceiling fans have been installed to prevent dry throats after a night of heavy air conditioning.
Subtly textured cedarwood rooms induce a sense of calm with silently sliding doors, fretwork inspired by local Tochigi latticework, puffy white (Western-style) beds, granite onsen, and balconies where you can wrap yourself in a cashmere blanket, sip green sencha, and watch cormorants and Black Kites flit around the lake.
Perhaps an unlikely contender, the property is, in fact, one of the most family-friendly hotels in London; there are in-room games consoles (this grande dame is no Luddite), children’s films on DVD, Ritz teddy bear souvenirs, Cocci Nella toiletries, mini bathrobes and slippers, recently redesigned to be more minimal and in keeping with the adult version.
Forbes corroborated the tale, saying that the ill-fated starlet shot her first print advertisement at the hotel’s pool, while a psychic told the outlet that the water is “buzzy” with spirit energy to this day.