Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto

The entry to the hotel after a short steep climb is very impressive. Built in Classical Japanese style the lobby has a beautiful Bonsai tree on the table. Welcome is extended with very tasty Japanese sweets and a drink. The rooms are large comfortable and well equipped. A choice of local Yukata and Kimono dresses are offered to the guests to wear during their stay - giving a fine Japanese flare. The toiletries are high end with good linen. Since the room is styled like a Tatami there are various pairs of slippers provided to be used in room or outside. A little stone is kept in the room to be sprayed with perfumes to bring inner peace. The choice of restaurants is limited but still provides excellent traditional fare with choice of liquor. We had all our meals at hotel and each one was an experience. We were lucky to witness the local Noh performance arranged at the hotel. A fine bamboo garden surrounds the hotel which also has a Bonsai area as well. A very peaceful calming atmosphere all around. Services including turn down in the evening are smooth and efficient. The staff is very polite and courteous in typical Japanese way. In room lights curtains etc. are conveniently remote controlled. Overall a fantastic experience.

The atmosphere here is very quiet and relaxing. The diverse menu features many dishes that are improved and updated daily, offering diners a constantly fresh culinary experience. The staff are attentive, enthusiastic, friendly, and dedicated to every detail. At Ryozen restaurant, diners not only enjoy delicious food but also experience the beauty of traditional Japanese culture and style, creating many inspiring and unforgettable memories. Located within the grounds of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, this place offers a luxurious, peaceful, and comfortable retreat. The harmonious combination of exquisite cuisine, Japanese hospitality, and elegant scenery will make every moment more memorable.

For our 13th anniversary on Japan we closed kyoto and were looking for a Special Place to stay at. After several very good experience at other BanyanTree Hotels we closed this one. Banyan Tree Kyoto is,an incredible Place to stay at! For us a perfect example of how modern luxury can blend seamlessly with traditional Japanese elegance. We loved the location being very close from Kyoto’s most iconic sightseeing spots , including Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka. You can go to the Most famous Streets of Kyoto early in the morning or in the evening without the touristic crowds. The rooms are mine blowing! We loved the design, For us it Seelen like a very modern, luxury but on the same Time City Japanese Home.. For the ultimate Kyoto experience, I highly recommend booking a room with a private onsen. The combination of complete privacy and having a private Onzen for your own is fantastic! Banyan tree Kyoto, as well as the previously visited banyan trees in Thailand, Mexico en Morocco, has an excellent staff. Every member delivers genuine hospitality with warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail. Especially Madoka and Daisaku made our stay feel very special! Whether arranging restaurant reservations, transportation, or local recommendations, the service is exceptional! Although the property is only around 2.5 years old, it already feels perfectly integrated into its surroundings. The design combines luxus with natural materials and traditional Japanese design, creating an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and wonderfully cozy. The breakfast concept is different from most luxury hotels. Guests can choose from several thoughtfully curated set menus, including Japanese, Western, Light, and Vegan options, ensuring a personalized start to each day. Another highlight is the incredibly detailed turndown service. Every evening brings small surprises and thoughtful touches that make returning to the room a special experience which we liked a lot! Also the free activities during the week like matcha experience, traditional Japanese shows, meditation are a very nice plus! Banyan Tree Kyoto achieves something very rare: it combines the warmth and intimacy of a boutique retreat with the facilities and service standards of a world-class luxury hotel. In our case the perfect combination for our 4 night anniversary stay in Kyoto. For us a Perfect stay, we will Return soon hopefully!

Beautifully designed boutique hotel with natural spring. Unfortunately the rest of our stay was ruined by the poorest f&b. Staff never got our food right either at breakfast and dinner. from simply forgetting cutlery to getting the wrong food and drinks served. Going or asking for food became a huge point of stress. The phone systen did not work and reception staff had to walk to our room to deal with any queries we had. the menu was small and did not change through out our stay. Often they were short of basic ingredients!! Extremley poor and very basic errors. Generally staff highly polite but useless.

Special thanks to Ethan, Miu, and Rin. We had a very personalized service from them and the hotel itself was private, quiet and peaceful. Loved every aspects of it including the onset, little bamboo forest, its location, room layout, the food. I highly recommend their kaiseki dinner. Very much impressed with the stay. Thank you.