When I first traveled to Japan over ten years ago for my honeymoon, I was very fascinated by nature The other worldly appearance of Tokyo I didn’t even think about adding another stop to our itinerary in the country. Of course, once you are in the country, it will be impossible to avoid billboards and advertisements Everywhere in Kyotowhich is just over two hours from the Japanese capital via the Shinkansen, or bullet train. Unfortunately, by the time I realized how much we were missing out on Japanese history, culture and cuisine by not visiting, it was too late to stop and add a full stop.
But since I’m nothing if not annoyingly determined, I’ve spent the past 12 years planning my return to the country, finally stopping in this dynamic and picturesque former capital.
While Tokyo weighs heavily on trip planning due to its sheer size, organizing a trip to Kyoto requires attention to detail for various reasons – namely that almost all of the hotels and range of restaurants come recommended, puzzlingly. And even if you’re only looking at the five-star variety, the options are still wide: Aman, the Four Seasons, and the Ritz-Carlton all have outposts here.
But in a city with as much history as Kyoto, especially a city known for its beautifully preserved temples, shrines, and palaces, I wanted to book a room somewhere imbued with a similar sense of belonging. the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto The boxes were selected for several reasons: They are part of the small Imperial Hotels group based in Japan rather than part of a larger offshore conglomerate. This specific property is located within the historic Yasaka Kaikan, which was formerly a performing arts hall; And finally, its location in Gion, arguably the beating heart of all of Kyoto’s historic districts.
However, booking a hotel just two weeks after opening isn’t without risk: What if a last-minute construction delay delays bookings? What if the service doesn’t hit its stride? Fortunately, I can say that after only starting to welcome guests on March 5, the staff at the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, were already pulling together in a way that felt as if the hotel had been open for decades.
This may have something to do with the long history of the building in which it is located, which was designated a Tangible Cultural Property in 2001 (although it has been vacant for years due to concerns about seismic stability). Imperial, determined to preserve as much of the stunning exterior as possible while constructing a new building that could withstand earthquakes, then embarked on a nearly five-year renovation process, eventually ending up with a 55-room property with five different room categories, including a collection of suites measuring more than 1,000 square feet.
But even the non-suite rooms, which start at over 600 square feet, are spacious and also feature multiple design options available to guests. Those looking for a more historically Japanese space not unlike what can be found in the Gion area macchia (Traditional wooden houses) in the streets below can choose a room in the North Wing, which features tatami floors, cherry wood paneling and a simple, clean design. But if Western style is preferred (and you can also keep your shoes in them), the ones in the main building, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek, contemporary look, fit the bill. A special feature of all rooms are the soft, oversized cotton pajamas stored in the wardrobe and available for use during your stay. I can’t say for sure that they helped me sleep better, but I definitely felt comfortable in them, if not fashionable.
The hotel’s public spaces have a similar interior design to the rooms: restrained and simple, but never too intense. Think cream rattan-backed armchairs, with touches of brass and stone on the walls and ceiling in the hallway. This area is surprisingly quiet, thanks to a security protocol that requires you to swipe your key to open the main door. Likewise, the small, stylish deck is restricted to hotel guests, so the 24-seat bar and patio are never crowded. But the amazing space inside the hotel is actually several floors below, in the basement. Here you’ll find a cave-like heated indoor pool; An ideal place to relax after a day exploring the temples and shrines.
Aside from the historical sites, Kyoto’s great appeal is the focus and quality of its restaurants. As such, it’s no surprise that the Imperial itself is home to multiple concepts, including Rennes, a French counter-chef-style venue, and the Old Imperial Bar, a classic 20-seat cocktail lounge. But the meal that most surprised this food writer was the Japanese-style breakfast, which you can serve either in your room or at Yasaka Restaurant, the hotel’s all-day dining option. I suggest the first option, so you can feast on the real feast in hotel-approved jam. The range is so large, it comes with a menu so you can familiarize yourself with each ingredient, which includes a three-tier box filled with everything from prawns to green beans, plus fresh juice, miso soup, rolled omelettes and more.
Whether over a casual breakfast in your room or while enjoying the tranquility of the lobby, I found that there was a confident elegance to this property, even though it was brand new. Although I had my 10-year-old daughter with me, and the staff were more than happy to accommodate her, I would rather recommend this property to solo travelers or couples rather than families, due to the quiet nature of the hotel and multiple bar spaces. Rate starting from 164,500 JPY (which is just over $1,000 USD at time of publishing), which isn’t cheap. But compared to the prices of some of the luxury chains mentioned above, it’s a relative bargain in the five-star hotel space – especially in Kyoto.
