Posted May 6, 2008 by Elite Concierge Joie de Vivres Multi-million Dollar Renovation of Miyako Hotel Boosts

Revitalization of Storied San Francisco Neighborhood

SAN FRANCISCO (September 6, 2007) " Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, today announced that the Miyako Hotel in San Francisco will be transformed into the companys newest boutique property and emerge as the new Hotel Kabuki. The quintessential Miyako Hotel experience, appreciated by both domestic and international travelers for more than 30 years, has been refined and updated with the extensive renovation of all 218 guest rooms, suites and public spaces. The hotels traditional bath services have also been enhanced with the addition of personalized bath butlers and a full menu of customized bathing options.

The upgraded new furnishings, dcor, finishes and amenities are respectful interpretations of traditional Japanese culture and have been designed to imbue guests with a welcoming and restful sense of serenity and an understated, real-world understanding of travelers needs. Hotel Kabuki is scheduled to open in October 2007.

Inspired by the rituals and customs of Japanese culture, Hotel Kabuki merges Joie de Vivres superb guest experience with the attributes of a premier Japanese-style boutique hotel. The transformation of the longtime stopping place, as with the nearby Hotel Tomo, represents another significant step in the revitalization of San Franciscos Japantown, one of the most exciting and authentic ethnic enclaves in America.

San Franciscos Japantown is one of only three vibrant Japanese communities remaining in the U.S., said Joie de Vivres Conley. Our goal is to capture that special status by offering a traditional Japanese-style boutique hotel experience, replete with all the customary services and amenities, while also reflecting the distinctive pulse of San Francisco. Guests will experience the refined beauty of the East while enjoying the hotels ideal central location and easy access to the citys shopping, dining and entertainment.

Designed by San Francisco-based Gensler Design, the hotel includes two traditional Japanese-style suites, a fitness center, and 14 meeting spaces in addition to the standard guest rooms. Each guest room features a 26-inch LCD flat screen television, iPod docking station, luxurious Frette linens, silk-lined Kimono style bathrobes, wireless high-speed connectivity and a Japanese inspired honor bar.

Known for their furos (deep soaking tubs), tokonomas (ornamental alcoves) and rice paper shoji screens, all 218 rooms and public spaces have been upgraded with new furnishings, dcor and finishes. To enhance the furos soaking tradition, Hotel Kabuki offers a self-serve bathing experience menu featuring a selection of Japanese bath salts available in each rooms honor bar. With serenity in mind, bath butlers are available to draw baths for guests at a pre-scheduled time using customary Japanese techniques, allowing guests to relax in an awaiting bath already hot and ready for soaking. Guests can customize the experience choosing from a menu of Serenity, Love, Courage, Zen or Awareness. Bath butlers will use traditional ingredients such as Lotus Narcissus, Lime and Ginger to ensure an authentic bathing experience.

To further soothe the mind and quiet the soul, guests can also enjoy a welcome tea service in their room. In honor of Japans daily tea ritual, which was elevated to an art form with the creation of the tea ceremony, guests at Hotel Kabuki can immerse themselves in the Japanese culture by enjoying the welcome tea service. Those who wish to take advantage of the service will be greeted by a tea host at their door within 30 minutes of arrival at the hotel. The host will prepare a pot of tea including tea snacks for the guests. The host will prepare the tea to the guests liking, helping to refresh the spirit.

Additional complimentary unique services at Hotel Kabuki include a nightly sake hour in the lobby with a variety of different sakes for guests to taste and learn more about the traditional Japanese beverage. Further unique services include Japanese cultural experience classes offered every Wednesday night. A full range of options will be hosted by the hotel including Bonsai Lessons, Origami Instruction, Sushi Preparation, Taiko Drumming and much more. Additionally every guest receives a traditional Japanese turndown service which includes bedside tatami mats and slippers.

Hotel Kabuki offers more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space and will continue to be a superior site for corporate retreats, conferences and special events. The state-of-the art meeting spaces are equipped with WiFi and audio-visual technology, and can host a variety of events for up to 600 people. Many of the meeting rooms are lined with windows that overlook a serene Japanese garden and koi pond filling the space with abundant natural light and creating an urban oasis.

O Izakaya Lounge is Hotel Kabukis new restaurant and bar that embraces the fervent spirit of Japanese baseball. The restaurant lounge, designed by Michael Guthrie, will pay homage to Japanese baseball and will offer sports programming, including authentic Japanese events, and serve upscale Japanese inspired Izakaya share plates. Unique beverage selections will include sake flights and regional drinks. The restaurant and bar will be open to guests and the public on weekdays for breakfast, cocktails and dinner and on weekends for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner.

For the consummate revitalizing hotel experience, guests are only steps away from Joie de Vivres Kabuki Springs & Spa, a traditional Japanese bathhouse featuring Japanese-style spa treatments and communal bathing in a soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating environment. Guests of the hotel receive complimentary admittance into the communal baths as well as a 10% discount on any spa service.

Located in the heart of Japantown and adjacent to the Fillmore Street shopping corridor, Hotel Kabuki provides an ideal home base for exploring San Franciscos array of sightseeing options. Hotel Kabukis central location offers guests immediate proximity to Union Square, Nob Hill, Fishermans Wharf, Ghiradelli Square and the citys fabled cable cars. Guests can also enjoy the many cultural offerings of Japantown, including theatres, shopping, authentic Japanese cuisine and Japanese-style spas.

Kabuki Hotel is just one of several major transformations that will combine to bring renewed energy and attention to San Franciscos Japantown, which remains the most thriving Japanese-American community in the nation. Other key elements in the transformation include the completion of Hotel Tomo in June 2007, Sundance Theatres, Bushi Tei restaurant, the new Kintetsu Mall, and a J-Pop Center.

Hotel Kabuki is located at 1625 Post Street. The hotel can be reached by calling (415) 922.3200 or toll-free at 800.533.4567. For further information, please visit the Web site at www.jdvhospitality.com.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality
Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhospitality.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As Californias largest independent boutique hotelier, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 20 years of creating dreams, Joie de Vivre Hospitality is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.

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Media contacts: Alison Stout or Karolina Kielbowicz at Glodow Nead Communications,
(415) 394-6500, Alison@GlodowNead.com, Karolina@GlodowNead.com;
or Dawn Shalhoup at Joie de Vivre Hospitality, (415) 773-1067, dshalhoup@jdvhospitality.com