Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto — Hotel in Kyoto

My First Stay at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto – A Memorable Experience

If you’re looking to stay in Kyoto’s historic district with easy access to iconic spots like Kiyomizu-dera or Gion, and you dream of waking up to a full panoramic city view from your room, this is the place.

This was my first time staying at Banyan Tree Kyoto, and from the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed. The staff greeted me with genuine smiles and were ready to assist without even being asked—helping with my luggage, serving a freshly whisked matcha as a welcome drink, and checking me in with the utmost care, as if I were a VIP guest. Special thanks to Takako, who personally escorted me to my room, explaining the hotel facilities and room features along the way.

I was very lucky during this stay—I was offered a complimentary room upgrade and late check-out. The room I received looked exactly like the photos on the hotel’s website: a perfect blend of traditional Japanese style with modern comforts. It came with everything I needed—an oversized bed with blackout curtains (completely dark, like night), a spacious bathroom with separate areas, a large sofa, and a low Japanese-style table perfect for taking beautiful photos. The highlight was the private wooden onsen tub in my room—the scent of the wood filled the air every time I took a soak. There was also a beautifully patterned yukata provided, which guests can wear comfortably around the hotel, adding an extra touch of Japanese tradition to the stay.

I also noticed there was plenty of water provided—not only by the minibar but also near the bed and even in the bathroom, so I never had to worry about being thirsty. To my surprise, there was a welcome card written in Thai placed on my bed, prepared by June, the housekeeper looking after my room. Later, I learned she’s Thai and had worked at Banyan Tree Phuket for over 18 years before moving to Kyoto. Such personal touches truly made me feel at home.

Every evening, the hotel offers a small complimentary gift during turndown service—something unique to Kyoto that you’ll surely want to take home.

The hotel’s restaurant, Ryozen, is divided into a dining area and a bar, both decorated in a simple yet elegant style. For dinner, I ordered the Kaiseki set, which was crafted with great attention to detail from the first to the last course. Each dish was beautifully presented, making it impossible not to take photos. I was well looked after by Rin, who explained each course carefully. If you have Accor Plus membership, you can enjoy up to 50% discount on dining here, which is a great bonus.

One of the main reasons I chose this hotel was, of course, the onsen. The public onsen area is separated for men and women, with both indoor and outdoor baths. For me, having an onsen at the hotel is a must when visiting Japan.

The hotel also has a 24-hour gym and a Banyan Tree Spa. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to try the spa this time, but I believe it would be excellent.

Breakfast during my stay was a set menu rather than a buffet—either a healthy Japanese-style bento or an American breakfast. We were the first guests in the morning, so we could choose the best table with a lovely view, thanks to Naoki’s recommendation. For buffet lovers, perhaps in the future the concept may change, but even now, it’s a pleasant and calm way to start the day.

In terms of location, the easiest way to reach the hotel is by car or taxi, as the walk up to the property is quite steep. However, walking down is very easy, and in just 3–5 minutes you can reach major Kyoto attractions like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. This means you can enjoy the beautiful morning light and take photos before the crowds arrive, without waking up extra early and traveling from far away.

If, in the future, the hotel adds a shuttle service for guests, I believe this could become one of the most perfect hotels to stay...

If you’re looking to stay in Kyoto’s historic district with easy access to iconic spots like Kiyomizu-dera or Gion, and you dream of waking up to a full panoramic city view from your room, this is the place.||This was my first time staying at Banyan Tree Kyoto, and from the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed. The staff greeted me with genuine smiles and were ready to assist without even being asked—helping with my luggage, serving a freshly whisked matcha as a welcome drink, and checking me in with the utmost care, as if I were a VIP guest. Special thanks to Takako, who personally escorted me to my room, explaining the hotel facilities and room features along the way.||I was very lucky during this stay—I was offered a complimentary room upgrade and late check-out. The room I received looked exactly like the photos on the hotel’s website: a perfect blend of traditional Japanese style with modern comforts. It came with everything I needed—an oversized bed with blackout curtains (completely dark, like night), a spacious bathroom with separate areas, a large sofa, and a low Japanese-style table perfect for taking beautiful photos. The highlight was the private wooden onsen tub in my room—the scent of the wood filled the air every time I took a soak. There was also a beautifully patterned yukata provided, which guests can wear comfortably around the hotel, adding an extra touch of Japanese tradition to the stay.||I also noticed there was plenty of water provided—not only by the minibar but also near the bed and even in the bathroom, so I never had to worry about being thirsty. To my surprise, there was a welcome card written in Thai placed on my bed, prepared by June, the housekeeper looking after my room. Later, I learned she’s Thai and had worked at Banyan Tree Phuket for over 18 years before moving to Kyoto. Such personal touches truly made me feel at home.||Every evening, the hotel offers a small complimentary gift during turndown service—something unique to Kyoto that you’ll surely want to take home.||The hotel’s restaurant, Ryozen, is divided into a dining area and a bar, both decorated in a simple yet elegant style. For dinner, I ordered the Kaiseki set, which was crafted with great attention to detail from the first to the last course. Each dish was beautifully presented, making it impossible not to take photos. I was well looked after by Rin, who explained each course carefully. If you have Accor Plus membership, you can enjoy up to 50% discount on dining here, which is a great bonus.||One of the main reasons I chose this hotel was, of course, the onsen. The public onsen area is separated for men and women, with both indoor and outdoor baths. For me, having an onsen at the hotel is a must when visiting Japan.||The hotel also has a 24-hour gym and a Banyan Tree Spa. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to try the spa this time, but I believe it would be excellent.||Breakfast during my stay was a set menu rather than a buffet—either a healthy Japanese-style bento or an American breakfast. We were the first guests in the morning, so we could choose the best table with a lovely view, thanks to Naoki’s recommendation. For buffet lovers, perhaps in the future the concept may change, but even now, it’s a pleasant and calm way to start the day.||In terms of location, the easiest way to reach the hotel is by car or taxi, as the walk up to the property is quite steep. However, walking down is very easy, and in just 3–5 minutes you can reach major Kyoto attractions like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. This means you can enjoy the beautiful morning light and take photos before the crowds arrive, without waking up extra early and traveling from far away.||If, in the future, the hotel adds a shuttle service for guests, I believe this could become one of the most perfect hotels to stay...

Dear Sir/Madam,I recently had the opportunity to stay at your hotel, and I would like to share my experience with you. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the exceptional design and comfort your property offers. Kengo Kuma’s architectural brilliance, with its use of natural wood, thoughtful lighting, and integration of art pieces, creates a stunning and serene atmosphere. Additionally, the comfort of the rooms, the quality of the materials, the size of the beds, and the premium linens were truly impressive. In terms of design and comfort, your hotel sets a remarkable standard.However, I did encounter several service-related issues that I believe could be addressed to enhance the overall guest experience. I would like to share these points in the hope that they are helpful for future improvements:1. Breakfast Lounge and Sushi Area: The proximity of these two areas creates a strong odor upon entering, which can be unpleasant. Improved ventilation could easily mitigate this issue.2. Food and Beverage Service After Breakfast: The lack of food and beverage service after breakfast hours was inconvenient. At the very least, providing a space for guests to enjoy tea or coffee would be a welcome addition.3. Room Service Availability: After a long journey, I was surprised to learn that room service was unavailable and that only rice balls could be provided. Expanding room service options would greatly improve the guest experience.4. Flexibility with Breakfast Hours: Due to the time difference, I arrived slightly late for breakfast at 10:10 AM and was informed that nothing could be served. Even my request for tea did not receive a clear response. Greater flexibility in accommodating guests dealing with jet lag would be highly appreciated.5. Lobby Services: The inability to offer anything to drink or even host a guest in the lobby felt restrictive. This could be improved to make the lobby a more welcoming space.6. Spa Experience: I was unable to experience the renowned Banyan Tree spa as it was fully booked. Expanding spa reservation availability would help meet guest expectations for this signature offering.In summary, while the hotel excels in design and comfort, the service offerings seem to be constrained by rigid rules and limited hours, which can detract from the overall guest experience. I strongly believe that adopting a more flexible, guest-centered approach would significantly enhance satisfaction.If the above issues were addressed, I would certainly consider staying at your hotel again during my next visit to Kyoto. Once again, I want to thank you for the exceptional design and comfort provided during my stay and hope that these suggestions contribute to further elevating your standards.Best regards, next visit to Kyoto. Once again, I want to thank you for the exceptional design and comfort provided during my stay and hope that these suggestions contribute to further elevating your...