The Insider: Luxury and Serenity in Japan’s Cultural Capital
You make a reservation, but you don’t know what a hotel is really like until you stay there. There are hundreds of thousands of hotels worldwide, and with new ones opening every day, it’s impossible to know what you’re going to get. Yahoo Travel takes the guessing out of your reservation by going inside some of the world’s most popular hotels.
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto sits on the Kamogawa (Photo: Ritz Carlton)
Hotel: Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Location: Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0902 Japan.
Background: Open since February 2014, this luxury escape offers everything you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton property. But beyond the first-class accommodations, walking into this hotel transports you to a different world — mixing modern flare with centuries old tradition.
Zen gardens and water features are incorporated throughout, providing a sense of calm in the bustling city of Kyoto. These gardens were designed by Kanji Nomura, and each expresses something different — from energy and prosperity to spirituality.
The vibe: Serene luxury. From the floral scents to the gentle music, you feel a sense of calm as soon as you walk through the doors. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is also very international. While dining at the restaurants on site, you’ll likely hear British and Australians accents, as well as German, French, and Chinese speakers.
Many rooms overlook the Kamogawa River. (Photo: Ritz-Carlton)
What I loved: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto has 134 rooms, some of which face the Kamogawa River. I started every morning sipping a cup of tea, gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows which offer a stunning view of the flowing water and walking paths. In the spring, the view is especially breathtaking, as Cherry Blossoms bloom outside of the window.
The location of the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is also pretty ideal. It feels slightly isolated, which makes it the perfect place for quiet retreat. However, it’s just a five-minute walk to a ton of cute shops and restaurants.
The rooms: When it comes to the perfect hotel stay, little matters more than the bed. In Japanese culture, some couples choose to sleep in separate beds. However, many westerners prefer to sleep in the same bed. To remedy this, the hotel puts together two queen-sized when a westerner books a stay. To translate, my bed was so massive that I could have slept sideways — which I did.
Related: We Tried McDonald’s Chocolate Fries in Japan — Here’s What They Taste Like
The bathrooms feature a bathtub and a shower with a bamboo floor. (Photo: Ritz-Carlton)
The overall décor is modern and relaxing, filled with earth tones and simplistic art. Guest rooms come in Luxury, Deluxe and Deluxe Garden layouts, and there there are also 17 suites available — each with their own unique look and feel.
It’s also important to note that the bedside table is equipped with half a dozen buttons that allow you to control certain room features without ever leaving the bed. These buttons let you open and close the curtains, or select the perfect lighting scheme for your mood.
Don’t Miss: Kyoto is known as the cultural center in Japan because it’s the place where many traditions and customs began. For this reason, the Ritz has designed several experiences to help you connect with the historic city.
Wearing my beautiful kimono. (Photo: Brittany Jones-Cooper)
While visiting, I took part in the hotel’s Kimono Experience, which was something I’ll never forget. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, guests can choose their favorite kimono design and get assistance on how to wear it correctly. Once you’re dressed up, you can stroll around the city or treat yourself to a traditional Japanese dinner.
Speaking of food, the hotel also has a Sushi Masterclass for those guests wanting to test their skills in the kitchen. The on-site restaurant, Mizuki, lends it’s Chef Miura for a class on the 2nd Sunday of every month.
Where you eat: In addition to the dozens of restaurants in the neighborhood, there are two main restaurants on-site.
Sushi chefs hard at work at Mizuki. (Photo: Ritz-Carlton)
Mizuki is a Japanese Restaurant that features four kinds of cuisine, including Sushi, Tempura, Teppanyaki and a traditional haute cuisine called Kaiseki. The food is authentic, modern, and in my humble opinion, delicious.
The other option is La Locanda, an Italian restaurant that uses local vegetables from Kyoto to provide robust and flavorful dishes.
Stuff you want: There is 24-hour in-room dining, and the hotel offers a complimentary guided biking tour of Kyoto.
The spa is also a must-do to ease your tired tourist legs. There are seven treatments rooms available, as well as a steam room, dry sauna, and a 20-meter swimming pool.
Final thoughts: The thing that makes the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto so special isn’t just its luxurious accommodations (which are pretty spectacular), it’s the people. The staff were beyond kind and welcoming, and truly embodied that Japanese hospitality you often hear about. As a guest, I felt like no need was too small, and they took it upon themselves to ensure I had a great visit to Kyoto.
WATCH: Forget jeans — Brittany Tries on a Kimono in Kyoto
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