What is AUBERGE de SENVIE?

AUBERGE de SENVIE is a Selected hotel located in Sakurai, Japan. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does AUBERGE de SENVIE have?

AUBERGE de SENVIE has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is AUBERGE de SENVIE located?

AUBERGE de SENVIE is located in Sakurai, Japan, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book AUBERGE de SENVIE?

You can view more details and booking information for AUBERGE de SENVIE through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

AUBERGE de SENVIE | Selected in Sakurai, Japan

Name: AUBERGE de SENVIE
Address: Sakurai, Asia, Japan
Rating: 4.5

AUBERGE de SENVIE, located in the historic town of Sakurai, Nara, is a Michelin Key Selected property offering a unique blend of French culinary excellence and Japanese hospitality in a tranquil, nature-rich setting. Emphasizing "Sens" (senses) and "Vie" (life), this auberge provides a multi-sensory experience for its guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

AUBERGE de SENVIE garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with guests describing it as "excellent" and a "wonderful auberge." Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its high quality and luxurious country inn appeal. The overarching theme is one of refined relaxation and gastronomic delight, making guests feel a deep connection to the local culture and nature through elevated experiences.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of AUBERGE de SENVIE:

Culinary Focus: The fusion of refined French techniques with carefully selected local Nara ingredients is a major draw, providing an epicurean journey that is both innovative and rooted in tradition.
Intimate Ambiance: As a hidden accommodation with only nine rooms, the auberge offers a private and serene retreat surrounded by nature, ensuring a peaceful and exclusive stay.
Design & Comfort: The modern design, featuring warm wooden interiors incorporating Nara's fine wood, creates a luxurious yet laid-back atmosphere with a distinct European accent.
Attentive Service: The staff's warm smiles and willingness to assist contribute significantly to a pleasant guest experience.
Amenities: The property offers essential amenities such as a garden, free private parking, a restaurant, and a bar.

3. Room Quality

AUBERGE de SENVIE features just nine rooms, comprising two Executive Suites, six Twin Rooms, and one Universal Twin Room, ensuring an intimate atmosphere. The rooms are described as "handsome, laid-back, and luxurious" with a "pronounced European accent in the decoration." Guests can expect air-conditioned spaces equipped with a desk, kettle, fridge, minibar, safety deposit box, and a flat-screen TV. Each room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a wardrobe, with some rooms also boasting a terrace. The interiors are enhanced by the use of Nara's exquisite wood, offering a warm aesthetic and picturesque views of the changing seasons. Room sizes vary from 29m² for a Standard Twin to a spacious 90m² for an Executive Suite.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience is a cornerstone of AUBERGE de SENVIE, themed around "sensation" and "the essence of life." Led by Chef Urabe, the restaurant specializes in French cuisine that expertly utilizes local Nara ingredients, embracing a "Chisan Chisho" (local production for local consumption) philosophy. The restaurant is open to the public for both lunch and dinner, while breakfast is an exclusive affair for staying guests, typically an American breakfast. Dinner is often highlighted by guests as being "particularly intriguing." Lunch courses are priced around ¥5,500 - ¥11,000, and dinner courses generally start from ¥20,000+.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at AUBERGE de SENVIE is highly regarded, with staff noted for their "warm smiles" and pleasant demeanor. The team is multilingual, capable of assisting guests in English, Japanese, and Korean. This attentive and helpful service contributes significantly to the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of the auberge.

6. Location & Accessibility

AUBERGE de SENVIE is nestled in Sakurai City, Nara, a region rich in Japanese history and culture, offering an environment conducive to quiet contemplation. It is located approximately 24 km from Nara Station.

By Car: Approximately a 10-minute drive (about 4 km) from Kintetsu/JR Sakurai Station. It's also about a 15-minute drive from Kintetsu Kashihara-Jingu-mae Station. Free private parking is available for guests.
By Bus: Directly accessible from the Nara Kotsu Bus Sakurai/Asuka Line, with a stop at "NAFIC Abe Campus."
Nearby Attractions: Sainen-ji Temple (0.83km), Yamada-dera Temple Ruins (1.11km), and Shorinji Temple (1.1km) are within close proximity, allowing guests to explore the local historical landscape.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected property offering a gourmet French dining experience and luxurious accommodation in an intimate setting, AUBERGE de SENVIE is positioned as a high-end destination. Stays typically start from ¥42,300 (tax and service included) per person per night for a two-person room with two meals. Other indications show rates around ¥68,000 for two people, or ¥57,800 including tax. While some guests note the "strong pricing" for its rural location, the unique culinary and lodging experience is considered to justify the cost for those seeking a premium retreat.

8. Common Complaints

While overall reviews are highly positive, one specific complaint noted by a guest was that the "view of a cemetery from the room was unsettling." It's worth noting that on the Michelin Guide's platform, there were no verified guest stays yet to compose a quality score, indicating that broader public feedback via this specific channel is still developing.