Hanaikada — Hotel in Kyoto

At the top: We sprung for the private bungalow with an outdoor onsen and the included breakfast and dinner service, so an experience may be a little different in a smaller room. That pic of the cedar hot tub at the top? That was our room.||||A few reviewers mention that this is an older onsen ryokan, and I think that is apparent in the main building. The bungalows are newer, so I can't speak directly to that criticism. Our room ruled.||||But make no mistake, you come here for the service.||||Hospitality is off the charts. Especially if you're American, like me, even if you've been to Japan before, and I had, the care and attention here had me literally tearing up at one point. Even with some language barrier - our hostess spoke passable English and I spoke baby Japanese - EVERY single thing we inquired about was done, without being reminded, at the time they promised. Maybe that sounds basic but PLEASE think about how often that happens to you in your daily life. They offered a bag transport service to our next hotel which we did not even know existed, for example, and came to the room on our day of departure to handle everything.||||Hanakaida's attention to detail was flawless. Each day we were ushered into a perfect traditional breakfast with grilled fish, tamago omelletes, fruits, jellies, rice, fresh eggs, etc; each evening, dinner was brought to the room in a series of spectacular courses that was all it's own event. Mildest of criticisms: I think most of the dishes are prepared earlier in the evening regardless of when you order, so anything fried may be soft if you take a later dinner. There were few dishes this affected and quite a few dishes made or heated at table so that this was irrelevant. The variety of foods was astounding and the presentation was beautiful. Some standouts included a shelled, richly buttered lobster, a tofu actually made in a ceramic pot at table, and an entire hot pot course following several other courses which could have been it's own meal. This will vary, as the style of dining is heavily seasonal. There are so many dishes. Too many, it is very luxurious, and while I wouldn't say each one was a star on it's own, many were stunning and there was more than enough food for everyone. ||||Our private onsen was excellent as we had a mixed sex group and some tattoos among us, so we could use it anytime without concern. You can get about four good friends in it. The bungalow included two more permanent western-looking beds, which were basically raised luxury futons, and up to four more futons can be set up in the main room. The staff take care of all transitions from mealtime to bedtime. It's completely unobstrusive and they make it look effortless.||||The location is directly on the river. There's no criticising that.||||I felt so cared for by the staff. I know it's their business, but I'd never been anywhere that went to such obvious lengths to anticipate and provide for my every need. They are doing it God-tier over there. Especially if you can budget for the bungalow, I can't recommend it enough if you are looking for a traditional...

We booked 1N in the Japanese-style Room (Main Building), with Monthly Changing Kaiseki Course Meal Plan, for autumn viewing around Arashiyama in late Nov.

Ryokan is right after the Togetsu Bridge, and on your day of check-in, keep a lookout at the ryokan entrance for a nice surprise. Location is pretty central, away from the crowds, especially if you are going hiking.

Place is a good 15 - 20min walk from Saga-Arashiyama Sttn (local train via Kyoto Sttn), recommend you ditch your heavy luggage (send them to your next destination with local postal svc - check your hotel concierge!) and just make do with hand carry only.

Ryokan has a strict 3pm only earliest check-in (we were there at 2.50pm, was told to come around again in 10mins), but you can still leave your luggage there 1st. Check-out is 10am (last timing for breakfast is 830am). We had to leave our footwear at the entrance of building (as whole place is tatami-ed out).

Shower + bathtub is on 1 side, toilet is separate on other side (larger folks might find it hard to swivel in the toilet space). Water control / temp are good.

Room had sliding windows that open both sides (but beware flying insects). As our room is japanese style, sleeping is via futon beds on the tatami mat (you need to get someone to prepare ahead for sleep). There is also a small cabinet for hanging your clothes, + in-room locker for valuables.

We had the dinner + breakfast setting, dinner is in-room, kaiseiki style (dishes are served in intervals), breakfast is at ground level (you have to decide at check-in time for both meal timings, but seems last timing for dinner is 8pm, for breakfast is 830am - see pics). Recommend go for 7.30pm dinner (which takes about 90min), + private onsen at 10pm (so you get some time to digest, then go for onsen and be nice and cozy for bedtime, and your bed will be prepped by then).

Our room was same level as the onsen, private onsen was waaaay inside on another level (you have to wait in your room for someone to bring you, if you manage to reserve for the 40min session, around JPY 1700 per session). Private onsen is open air, but space is small / view is rather limited + shorter folks might need to tiptoe to view outside (shower facilities are right beside onsen in the open, but you are required to bring your towel from room).

In case it rains when you check-out, the ryokan also...

Stayed two nights in this traditional ryokan, we booked the room with private semi outdoor onsen (Mokuren room).||Location is convenient and easy to find, only 3 mins by taxi from JR Saga Arashiyama station, we arranged pickup and confirmed by email but they didn't show up so we just take the taxi. ||The place is beautiful and unique, very good service. ||Very convenient: It's just right next to the famous Togetsukyo, around the corner (1 min walk) to the entrance of Monkey park and sightseeing boat cruise entrance, across the bridge heaps of small local shops and eatery, Tenryu temple also around 5 mins of walk.||During our three days stay we can go back to the ryokan anytime and enjoy afternoon onsen and then go to sightseeing again, very handy.||Dinner - 1st night Kaiseki style served in room, many dishes and very tasty, it's very special experience and we love it. 2nd night they served us Shabu shabu (japanese hotpot), it's still good but it's more simple than the 1st night, personally would prefer Kaiseki (traditional japanese)||Breakfast will be serve in the restaurant on the selected time we choose, anytime from 7am-9am, breakfast is traditional Japanese breakfast with alot of side dishes served in the bento box, rice, soup, we can choose either bacon, salmon or fish, and they also served with famous Tofu in hotpot. Free fill of juice, tea and coffee, egg, fruit. It is very delicious and content to start the day.||They usually put all Non japanese guests right in the middle of the restaurant and japanese guest on the quiet and more privacy side. ||The room is very comfortable, private onsen is perfect, can use anytime. We also rent the outdoor private onsen for 40 mins which is around 1500 yen, well if you have the private onsen in the room, you don't need to spend extra $, the outdoor onsen is abit bigger and maybe because it's around 9pm, we cannot see much view outside and it's very cold in / out the onsen.||There is free yuzu juice and water in the resting area next to the in house onsen, but it will run out and no refill.||Reminder: If you want to drink milk or make your own tea / coffee, there is no milk provided and around 10 mins walk to the nearest convenient store (closed at night).||Free drop off after check out which is very convenient.||It's expensive, we did enjoy the stay and definitely once in the...