Hotel Mume

The thin tower of ferroconcrete doesn’t promise much, but ring the doorbell and the bright red door will open to reveal Kyoto’s newest boutique hotel. Mume arrived in May 2009 with seven stunningly appointed rooms that will surely rival The Screen for the attention of the design crowd. Aptly for a hotel found amid the antique stores of Shinmonzen Dori, Mume is furnished with exquisite collectibles, including works from China, the UK and Vietnam. The suite is positively regal, with guests sleeping on a platform bordered with bamboo screens.