Hotel Mume — Hotel in Kyoto

Hotel Mume is an absolutely amazing hotel - the best hotel we have ever stayed at. The location cannot be beat - located in central Gion, a very atmospheric part of town and central to many sights in Kyoto. We cannot say enough wonderful things about the incredible service we experienced at Hotel Mume. From the moment we arrived, we know Hotel Mume was special. The staff greeted us when we arrived in our taxi - we believe they were waiting for our arrival and came out of the hotel when we arrived. Each and every staff member was so kind, warm, knowledgeable, and helpful - and spoke fluent English which was very nice for us as our Japanese is very limited. My husband and I planned a bit, but did not plan out our activities each day. When we would ask questions about our itinerary, each staff member would bring out maps, circle recommended shrines/parks/etc., and would even print out directions on how to travel to different places around Kyoto without us asking. Each recommendation was stellar - their favorite garden/shrine was always our favorite of the day as well. Often, the staff would recommend certain routes or modes of transportation that were most direct, and even walked us to the main road to assist us in hailing taxis in the correct direction and explaining where we needed to go in Japanese to the driver. The staff at Hotel Mume also assisted us with choosing restaurants each night to have dinner at - and even called each restaurant to make reservations for us. Each evening before we left, staff would greet us with a printout of the restaurant we were visiting - with both the name of the restaurant and a photo of what the restaurant looks like from the outside - which was incredibly helpful as often the front of each restaurant looked similar. We ended up changing one of the reservations to a different restaurant - which we did not realize was a bit of a faux pas in Japan - and the staff kindly explained this to us and still assisted us in changing our reservation. Each restaurant recommended to us - including the kobe beef restaurant we attended our last night - was wonderful. The Wind Room that was stayed in was lovely with a large tub for soaking, a fresh carafe of water each day in the refrigerator, strong air conditioning, a technologically advanced toilet that would open when you walked in the toilet area, and had 3 English channels - CNN, BBC, and Starz (which was more than most hotels we stayed at, including in Tokyo). Each afternoon, a complimentary happy hour was held with drinks and snacks. Last but not definitely not least - a Western-style breakfast was included in our stay - and we cannot say enough about how delicious and nutritious the breakfast was. My husband and I love food - and each breakfast was simple yet perfectly executed with incredible attention to detail. In the fruit salad, each piece of fruit was ripe and delicious. The homemade grapefruit juice, vegetable soups, and jams tasted exactly like each fruit/vegetable without added sugars. The warm croissants were the best we have had since Paris, unbelievably. Steamed milk was served on the side with coffee. Additionally, I am expecting and we mentioned this in an email before our arrival just in case breakfast had raw meat or raw fish. The staff at Hotel Mume were so helpful with this, had decaf coffee for me (which is not common in Japan), and even informed restaurants we attended with this information without my asking, which helped me greatly. Hands down, the service we received at Hotel Mume was absolutely incredible and we could not say thank you enough. We have stayed at many 5 Star Luxury hotels, and the service at Mume outshines them all. We will never forget our special experience at Hotel...

We decided to book 2 rooms at the Mume (Flower and Butterfly) for ourselves and our daughter and were delighted to find that we had a floor to ourselves with each room at the end of a short hallway - completely private. The rooms were both exquisite and the attention to detail is pervasive throughout this gorgeous boutique hotel. The unique and sumptuous fabrics, furniture, lamps (in the bedrooms particularly) were so much better than what one could expect from a 3-star hotel (in fact, we usually stay at 4 and 5 star hotels but were persuaded by a friend who had loved the Mume to try it - and we were won over as well). The location is stellar, in Gion (and its atmospheric alleys and old, wooden houses) yet also a stone's throw from Chion-In temple from whence you can walk along a serene path at the bottom of the Eastern hills to Ninen-zaka, Sanen-zaka and Kiyomizu temple. But what really made Mume stand out was the unparalleled service. Poor Nana generated reams of dining recommendations, ran out to the main road to get us taxis and was invariably gracious and helpful in myriad ways (she gave us great ideas for our visit to the Arashiyama area). Hisako, who owns and manages the Mume, has impeccable taste and her floral arrangements are stunning; she is a generous and astute lady who made sure we had a fabulous stay. Hikaru also provided excellent service. I had called one evening asking if there was a pharmacy nearby I could go to in the morning to get a knee brace (all those temple steps took a toll) - and was surprised to be given a new knee brace at breakfast (they didn't even charge us for it). Truly exceptional service. Breakfast was also memorable, with fresh jams, fresh and delicious fruit, light and fluffy homemade croissants (enough to impress this French girl) and breads, homemade soup and grapefruit juice as well as a daily boiled egg. Our table awaited us every morning while we enjoyed the sight and sounds of the pretty river outside. We loved the Mume and would return in a heartbeat. The only caveat was that the rooms were not very bright (as one can tell from the photos on the Mum's website - which are very true to form) but not much can be done about this and it really wasn't much of an issue at all. So we echo other reviewers in enjoining you to run to the Mume! An absolutely memorable and...

A Truly Exceptional Stay – Hotel Mume Sets the Standard for Hospitality

Our stay at Hotel Mume in Kyoto was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the staff treated us with an unmatched level of care and warmth that elevated our entire experience in Japan. Their hospitality truly went above and beyond—when we asked for a nearby dinner recommendation, not only did they suggest a wonderful local restaurant, but they also personally walked us there to ensure we didn’t get lost. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare and unforgettable.

After long days spent exploring Kyoto’s temples and gardens, the staff also helped us arrange in-room shiatsu massages, which were the perfect way to unwind and recharge. Every detail of our stay was thoughtfully curated to make us feel comfortable and at home.

The hotel itself is absolutely charming, with beautifully curated antique furniture that adds an authentic and elegant touch to the serene atmosphere. Our room was spacious, peaceful, and featured one of the most comfortable beds we've ever slept in. Mornings were a delight with relaxing, delicious breakfasts served in the lovely dining area overlooking a quiet creek. We especially enjoyed the fresh-baked breads, homemade jam, seasonal fruit, high-quality yogurt, and a superb selection of teas and coffee.

Another highlight was the generous evening happy hour, with complimentary drinks and snacks—a perfect way to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.

The location couldn’t be better: tucked away in a quiet part of Gion, yet within easy walking distance to many of Kyoto’s most famous sights, and conveniently located near both bus and train lines for exploring further afield.

Hotel Mume has left a lasting impression on us. Their impeccable hospitality, thoughtful touches, and serene charm made this stay one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We’re already dreaming of our return to Kyoto—and without a doubt, we’ll be staying at...