Tadao Ando-designed private guesthouse converted into luxe, boutique hotel
A former privately-owned guesthouse designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando has been converted into a luxury, boutique hotel.
The Setouchi Retreat Aonagi opened its doors on December 20, 2015. Described as a ‘small, luxury hotel’, the contemporary concrete and glass building contains just seven guest suites ranging from 100 ~ 150 sqm (1,076 ~ 1,614 sq.ft) in size. The design, which is true to Ando’s style, is bold yet minimal, and makes the most of the views over the Seto Inland Sea.
The 6-storey building was built in 1998 as the Elleair Matsuyama Guesthouse and Museum of Art. The museum was built to display artwork held by the Daio Paper company, including pieces by Marc Chagall and Marie Laurencin. While the museum was previously open to the public, the adjoining guest house was for private guests only.Read more