HOTELLI aalto

Full-scale reuse and evolution

The impressive wooden main building, with its large roof spreading like the wings of a phoenix, is a 40-year-old mountain lodge revived through the dedicated reuse efforts of three architects: Yoshihiro Mashiko, Toshikazu Kawai, and Shintaro Otake. The exterior design respects the surrounding environment of the national park, utilizing locally sourced timber and incorporating the region's climatic features, such as wind and light, into the building's structure. The interior extensively uses natural materials like plaster, employs eco-friendly adhesives, repurposes waste hot water for snow melting, adopts radiant heating, and operates on green energy. In July 2019, we expanded with an annex of four rooms and a lounge building facing the lake. While our respect for nature and our hospitality towards guests remain unchanged, Aalto continues to evolve.

Mountain cherry wood table and easy chair

The mountain cherry wood table is a piece of sculptural furniture that soothes with the warmth of natural wood and gains character the more it is used. Positioned at the center of the lounge, this massive table was crafted from a rare and valuable mountain cherry tree. It was an uncertain endeavor, as its usability could only be determined after splitting the wood. Preserving its natural form as much as possible, you can touch and feel the long years it has lived through. The easy chair was designed by Hans J. Wegner, a Danish furniture designer who created over 500 types of chairs in his lifetime. Wegner significantly influenced 20th-century Scandinavian design, and his works are part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His iconic "The Chair," which brought his name to global recognition, was famously used during the televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon, cementing its place in history. The lounge table is paired with a vintage easy chair (GE-290), adding a touch of timeless elegance to the space.

Nordic-style guest room that feels like living in nature

Each Room has a unique ambiance. What they share is the warmth of wood and the natural beauty of Urabandai spreading outside the windows. The space itself is a "shared blessing." "HOTELLI aalto," a 40-year-old mountain lodge repurposed, also captivates with the "skills" of the architects who designed it.