I was amazed by the hot spring hotel in Kyoto this time.
📍Hotel location: Only one stop from Kyoto Station, with the Kyoto Railway Museum and Umekoji Park nearby. It is 3–4 km from popular attractions, making it very convenient to get around.
🌟Hotel facilities: The overall environment is very Japanese, with tatami mats throughout the hotel. From check-in, you have to take off your shoes and put them in the shoe cabinet next to the door, then take the key to the front desk to exchange for the room key. You also have to exchange keys with the front desk every time you go out, and the shoes are always warm when you take them out (although it is a bit of a hassle). There are some Japanese-style landscape designs at the corners of each floor of the hotel, with a different view at every step. The room is very large, with plenty of space to open your suitcase, and the window offers a view of the distant mountains.
💌The front desk will briefly introduce the hotel facilities at check-in, including a free tea bar, reading area, separate public baths for men and women, and 5 private baths. The bathhouse is open from 3 pm to 10 am the next day, so you can take a bath no matter how late you come back. There are 5 private baths, the most popular of which is the stone bath, and there are photos posted outside each bath. You can check the availability of the baths at the entrance to the guide light on the first floor. If the light is on, it means someone is inside, and you can wait in line on the bench at the door. You need to take a shower before going to the private bath. You can also check the availability of the baths on the TV in your room. If it shows that a bath is available, you can rush down with the towel basket 🧺 in your room, wearing the kimono 👘 or bathrobe provided in your room, and enjoy the hot spring.
♨️The Yukata opposite the entrance to the private bath is where you can get your yukata! Unlike the standard pajamas in Japanese hotels, the pajamas here are in the drawer in the room (plain), but there are many colors of yukata. After check-in, you can choose a suitable yukata and belt here. Wearing a yukata in the hotel is very atmospheric, and you can take great photos anywhere.
🛏️There is also an area in the corridor on each floor where you can choose pillows. There are feather pillows, double-sided pillows, and more.
🍦After the bath, you can enjoy the free Meiji ice cream provided by the hotel (unlimited at night) and lactic acid drinks in the morning. There are Japanese sweets from 6 pm to 7 pm, juice (mixed juice and apple juice) before 9 pm, and ramen after 9:30 pm, which you can take back to your room to eat. This is great for introverts. There is also a coffee machine at the water bar on the first floor, with a wide variety of tea, coffee, and matcha drinks.
❤️I have to say that the Japanese service is really great, and every detail of the hotel is done so well. I would like to stay here again next time, and remember to book in advance.