Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier stands out as a "Michelin Key Selected property" in Kyoto, renowned for its harmonious blend of traditional Kyoto aesthetics and modern luxury, offering guests a tranquil and highly comfortable experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently rating it as exceptional and outstanding. Reviews frequently highlight high satisfaction and a strong desire to return. The hotel consistently receives impressive scores, including an 8.5 on Agoda and 9.2-9.3 on other platforms for categories such as cleanliness, comfort, staff, and location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the hotel's sophisticated design and artistic flair, which beautifully integrate with Kyoto's traditional charm. Key highlights include the tranquil courtyard gardens, spacious rooms (a notable feature for Japanese hotels), and new, well-maintained facilities. The public onsen (hot spring bath) is a significant draw, often described as spotless, large, relaxing, and notably accommodating towards guests with tattoos. Exceptional service and a highly convenient location are also frequently cited as major advantages.

3. Room Quality

The rooms are consistently described as quiet, clean, cozy, modern, stylish, and comfortable. Many guests appreciate their surprising spaciousness, which is considered a rare find in Japan. The hotel equips its rooms with high-end amenities such as Refa brand hair dryers and showerheads, ORGANIT toiletries, and premium mattresses, enhancing the comfort level. Thoughtful design elements include well-placed lighting and intuitive layouts. Select rooms feature in-room washing machines, a highly valued convenience for travelers. Each room includes a private bathroom, typically with a bidet, a separate toilet, and either a shower and bathtub or a choice of rainfall and handheld showerheads.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site restaurant, "Curd," serves European cuisine and is noted for its unique breakfast offerings, featuring fresh cheese made daily in the hotel's own cheesemaking studio, alongside local ingredients. Breakfast is generally regarded as high-quality and delicious, available as both a buffet and à la carte, with options spanning Continental, American, vegetarian, and Japanese styles. The lively kitchen and dining area overlook a serene courtyard. However, some guests have expressed that the à la carte breakfast options can be limited in variety over longer stays, leading to repetition. There have also been comments regarding the breakfast being somewhat expensive and occasional inconsistencies, such as extra charges for specific coffee drinks like cappuccinos.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier receive outstanding commendation. Guests consistently describe them as excellent, professional, attentive, helpful, and courteous. The staff's willingness to go the extra mile, offer multilingual assistance, and provide support with restaurant reservations and luggage services is frequently highlighted.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an excellent and prime location in the Karasuma Oike district, situated on the historic Sanjo Dori street. It offers exceptional convenience for exploring Kyoto, being within a 10-minute walk of popular attractions like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street, and surrounded by numerous local eateries and shops. Public transportation is highly accessible, with Karasuma Oike Station just a 3-6 minute walk away and Hankyu Karasuma Station an 8-minute walk, facilitating easy travel to further destinations. Despite its central position, the area is often described as a tranquil oasis amidst the city's bustle.

7. Value & Pricing

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier is widely regarded as offering excellent value for money. Guests feel they receive a luxurious and high-quality experience at a reasonable price, particularly considering its Michelin Key selection and the amenities provided. While specific price ranges were not detailed, the consensus is that the accommodations are "top-notch for this price range."

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Breakfast Variety and Cost: A common complaint is the limited variety of à la carte breakfast options over extended stays, leading to a sense of repetition. Some guests found the breakfast expensive, and there were specific mentions of extra charges for certain coffee drinks like cappuccino. Issues with breakfast coupon tracking were also reported.
• Elevator Smell: One guest noted an unpleasant "urine-like" smell in the elevator.
• Pillows: Some travelers found the pillows to be too thin.
• Laundry Room Usage: While the presence of a coin laundry is appreciated, it can become busy, especially at peak times, with some instances of machines being left unattended.
• Room Privacy: A few reviews mentioned that the bathroom layout in some rooms might offer less privacy, which could be a consideration for non-couples.
• Spa/Massage Experience: One guest had a negative experience with a booked massage, stating it was not good or as prescribed.
• Bar Availability: There was a comment about the bar being closed or not offering mocktails at certain times.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. gardenhotels.co.jp
3. agoda.com
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9. youtube.com
10. almosafer.com
11. kyotohotelspage.com
12. mitsuifudosan.co.jp
13. hotels.com
14. gardenhotels.co.jp