Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama

Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offers a serene and luxurious retreat nestled on the gentle slopes of Mount Wakakusayama, providing breathtaking panoramic views of Nara's ancient capital. It is widely praised for its exceptional service, exquisite dining, and beautifully designed rooms, making it a standout choice for travelers seeking both tranquility and cultural immersion.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently rating it as "Exceptional," often scoring 9.0 to 9.3 out of 10. Reviewers frequently describe their stay as "spectacular" and "probably the best hotel experience available in Nara," highlighting a sense of peace and relaxation ("ando") that aligns with the hotel's concept.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of the hotel:

• Stunning Views: The panoramic vistas of Nara, including iconic landmarks like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and the city lights, are a major draw, visible from many rooms, the restaurant, and the rooftop onsen. The hotel is situated to offer one of Japan's three best night views.
• Private Onsen Experience: The availability of private rooftop onsen and open-air baths, some with expansive views, is a significant highlight, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience.
• Exceptional Dining: The dinner, often part of a half-board package, receives consistent praise for its quality, presentation, and unique blend of Japanese and French culinary techniques using local ingredients.
• Attentive Service: The staff's friendliness and attentiveness contribute significantly to the positive guest experience.
• Unique Activities: The hotel offers distinctive cultural experiences, including night sky tours from Mt. Wakakusayama, firewood chopping, and marshmallow roasting.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama are celebrated for being "beautiful, clean, and spacious." Guests are often impressed by their "layout, design, and size." The hotel, which underwent a complete renovation in 2020, blends the timeless ryokan concept with modern boutique hotel aesthetics. Rooms are designed with an emphasis on natural materials like wood, cloth, paper, fire, and earth, aiming to evoke a relaxing woody scent and reflect Nara's serene spirit. Various room types are available, including Comfort Twin, King Double, Premier View Twin, Panoramic View Twin, Deluxe Family, and the luxurious Penthouse Suite. Many rooms feature large LED TVs, and some suites boast private open-air baths on their terraces.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama is a significant highlight. The restaurant, Terrace Wakakusayama, offers an "excellent" and "exquisite" dinner that guests consider "much better than other hotels with similar price." The cuisine artfully blends traditional Japanese flavors with cosmopolitan French influences, utilizing locally sourced ingredients such as Yamato vegetables and premium Nara-raised meats. The presentation of dishes is highly regarded. Breakfast, often a Japanese style offering, is also described as "scrumptious." The dining experience is enhanced by the dramatic panoramic views of the ancient capital from the restaurant.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama consistently receives glowing reviews. Guests frequently commend the staff as "attentive," "friendly," "wonderful," and "top-notch." They are noted for going "out of the way to accommodate" guest needs and providing an "impeccable service."

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel is strategically located on the hillside of Mt. Wakakusayama, offering a peaceful and tranquil retreat away from the city's hustle, while still providing superb panoramic views of Nara's historic landmarks and cityscape.

• Attractions: Nara Park and Kasugataisha Shrine are approximately a 10-minute drive away, while Todaiji Temple and the Nara National Museum are reachable within 7 minutes by car.
• Transport: Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from both JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station. Reservations for the shuttle are required and it operates within specific hours (e.g., 14:30 to 18:30 for shuttle service from Nara Station).
• Parking: Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed.
• Airport Access: The hotel is approximately 80-90 minutes from Itami Airport (ITM) and 90 minutes from Kansai International Airport (KIX).

7. Value & Pricing

Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama is consistently rated highly for its "exceptional value," with a rating of 9.4. Guests feel that the "affordable rates" are combined with a high quality of service and facilities, providing "excellent value for money." While the average room price is around $509, deals can sometimes be found from as low as $154. Accommodation fees can start from approximately 26,000 yen per person for one night with two meals, based on double occupancy.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Curtain Transparency: Some guests found the curtains in their rooms to be "quite transparent," leading to early morning sunlight waking them.
• Suite Access: Accessing certain suites with outdoor baths could be "a bit inconvenient" due to slopes and stairs, though guests noted that car access is available if requested.
• Onsen Water: The onsen baths use heated water rather than natural hot spring water.
• Check-in Curfew: There is a stated curfew for check-in (e.g., 18:30 to 21:30), and guests are advised to inform the property in advance if they anticipate arriving later, as dinner may not be served without prior notification.
• No Luggage Delivery Service: The hotel does not offer a luggage delivery service to airports or train stations, though a complimentary shuttle bus is provided.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. kayak.com
3. Current time information in 吉野郡, JP.
4. michelin.com
5. andohotelnara.com
6. japanese-onsen.com
7. booking.com
8. jp-nara.com
9. gltjp.com
10. kayak.com