What is it? A chic boutique hotel in Fukuoka, on the northern tip of Japan's southern Kyushu island. A stylish city in every way, Fukuoka blends designer malls, exclusive boutiques and kooky vintage stores with classic Japanese-style architecture and the ubiquitous yatai (street food stalls). What's so different about it? Elegant, entertaining and fun, With the Style oozes sophistication. Part hotel, part spa and part party destination, it's a resort hotel by day and the hippest spot in Fukuoka by night. And the decor? Tokyo architect Ryu Kosaka has created a Californian-resort vibe with a Japanese edge. The central pool area and water garden (far right), cool dining and bar zones, and palm tree-clad terraces (right) are designed to impress, with wood, water and plenty of light. Inside, vibrant colours and printed soft furnishings are juxtaposed with striking modern artworks by Paris-based artist Tsuyoshi Hirano. It's all about urban indulgence then? Absolutely. Here, swank and home comforts collide. The 16 suites are spacious (the double suite is an impressive 61 square metres) and all come with private terrace, a glass-clad open bathroom with skylight, a queen- or king-sized bed, a high-end sound system, a flat-screen TV and free champagne and other beverages. What's the ambience like? Staff offer the kind of hospitality designed to make you feel special. Use the pool until midnight? No problem. Take breakfast in the Penthouse lounge until 1pm? As you wish. What else is there to do? Book the private hot tub on the roof deck, immerse yourself in bubbles and sip champagne while watching the sleek metallic Shinkansen (bullet train) glide by far below. What's on the menu? To start your evening off, slip into your designer gear and head to the Penthouse for complimentary beverages and snacks. For dinner, there is a choice of Pacific French cuisine in The Dining or fresh catch from the Sea of Genkai in the discreet 12-seat Sushi Bar. Afterwards, enjoy a cocktail in the elegant Bar, which also offers a selection of snacks for when the late-night munchies strike. Do I have to leave? Yes, all good things must come to an end, but check-out is at a reasonable 2pm, which means even the most party-loving guests can enjoy a relaxing morning before they have to tear themselves away. What's the bottom line? From 31,185 yen (HK$2,050) for a double queen to 63,525 yen for a double suite per night. With the Style is at 1-9-18 Hakataeki-minami, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan, tel: 81 092 433 3900; www.withthestyle.com .
