HOSHINOYA Kyoto

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Kyoto, this is a true hidden gem. With only a few rooms, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the hot springs are absolutely superb. It's perfect for family trips, and I'll definitely choose to stay here again on my next visit to Kyoto.

The service was mediocre, and the set dinner at the hotel was quite poor. The room itself was a bit dated and didn't live up to the 'luxury' claim. There weren't many facilities either, and since it was winter, there wasn't much beautiful scenery to enjoy.

Having visited Kyoto many times, I finally had the pleasure of staying at the Hoshinoya, a hotel I'd long dreamed of. I was consistently impressed by the attention to detail and sense of ritual throughout my stay; it was perfect with absolutely no complaints. The experience began with a ceremonial boat ride from the pier near Togetsukyo Bridge. As we glided along the stream, surrounded by bamboo groves and picturesque mountains, I immediately felt a sense of calm, leaving the bustling world behind. Tucked away deep within Arashiyama, the hotel offers a serene and private environment. The gardens seamlessly blend with the natural landscape, with every step revealing a new view imbued with Japanese Zen aesthetics. Our room was elegantly spacious and refined. The Kyoto karakami wallpaper, wooden furnishings, and private balcony exuded quality. Though minimally decorated, every detail spoke of luxury. The view from the room was superb; opening the window revealed a stunning panorama of the valley and forest, turning the changing seasons into a living artwork. The cypress wood bath was wonderfully warm and comfortable; soaking while listening to the flowing water and birdsong was incredibly therapeutic. The service was top-tier Japanese hospitality. Our butler was gentle, thoughtful, and incredibly responsive, anticipating our needs without ever being intrusive. The dining experience was equally impressive. The seasonal kaiseki cuisine featured fresh ingredients, exquisite presentation, and balanced both flavor and artistry. Breakfast could even be served in the room, allowing us to dine while enjoying the views – pure bliss. The hot springs, tea ceremony, and garden strolls – every experience showcased the pinnacle of Kyoto's aesthetic beauty. This isn't just a hotel; it feels more like a secluded sanctuary where one can slow down and find inner peace. For those seeking quality and an immersive cultural experience in Kyoto, Hoshinoya is absolutely worth it. It's a top-tier luxury Japanese resort experience that everyone should try at least once. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

I am from Yangzhou, Jiangsu. Although Yangzhou is a garden city, and there are many such style escape hotels in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, HOSHINOYA by Hoshino Resorts is definitely worth a stay. The overall hygiene is very good, the facilities are well maintained and there is no musty smell. Just that all the windows could be cleaned a little more. This time I checked in in the evening, and I saw the sunset over Arashiyama while taking a taxi, which was a value-added item. The reception staff were very polite and enthusiastic. The girl who received us in the evening drove us to the door of the hotel in a small car. The road was driven so well that we were almost walking along the mountain, giving us a sense of adventure. When checking out, I felt the Hoshino ship. By the way, I would like to recommend the Dyefang Yuzhai Pavilion diagonally opposite. If you like the scenery, it is worth a visit.

Before departure, I was lucky to have managed to book a reservation at Hoshinoya Kyoto that I couldn’t even grab in one night! I was looking forward to moving in with great joy, but I didn’t expect that my wife was not worth it. I wrote this to let everyone avoid the trap. 1. Service: People are very polite, but to describe it in one word, it is slow. The food is served slowly, check-in is slow, everything is slow. The most outrageous thing is that you have to wait for a long time to take the boat. The boat leaves every thirty minutes and the boat is often full. You will have to wait for more than an hour. waste time. 2. Catering: The dinner was mediocre and the ingredients were very picky. The beef could be smaller. The most amazing thing is the breakfast, a hot pot with a few vegetarian dishes that you cook yourself, plus a salad that I think you bought at a convenience store. It’s amazing! (Visible picture 3. Room: Very old and cannot be looked at carefully. I booked a better room in Xiagu, but it was also very average. The scenery outside the window is green, which is quite healing, but you can't see the canyon, it's just green. If the windows are not light-shielding, it is better to prepare an eye mask in advance if you are afraid of not sleeping well in the morning. Overall, it's really not worth the price. The hotel itself is also very small. Apart from the rooms and catering, there are no other facilities in the hotel that can make up for the shortcomings. I will never stay here again and I really don’t understand why it’s so hard to find a room.

To be honest, I think the whole process was great. The environment is super good and the service is also very good. Originally, I just wanted to lie down in the mountains for two days, so it suited my needs. It’s just that I really don’t like the food. Breakfast and dinner were average.

Take a boat ride into wonderland

An impressive hotel, I would like to come back again during the cherry blossom season in the spring, or the maple leaf season in the fall. The interior of the room is very spacious and very clean. You can see a small train passing by on the cliff opposite the window.

The location of the hotel is near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. There is a boat to take you to the hotel from the Hoshinoya Reception Station of Togetsukyo Bridge. The unique way of welcoming and sending you off is very ceremonial. The hotel is not particularly big, and the rooms are well arranged and very wild. The service of the staff is very good and courteous. Imagine that it should be beautiful in late autumn when the mountains are full of red leaves! I especially like the tea room and terrace at the front desk, where there are free drinks and refreshments, where I met a rainbow 🌈…