Nara Hotel
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Hotel Details
Location
Nara Hotel · Nara, Japan
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Key Highlights
- ✓Service: The hotel is celebrated for its "exceptional hospitality" and the "friendliness and helpfulness" of its staff, who are noted for being attentive.
Expert Review: Nara Hotel
Nara Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property, stands as a venerable institution in the heart of Nara, Japan, consistently enchanting guests with its blend of historic charm, exceptional service, and prime location. Dating back to 1909 and designed by renowned architect Tatsuno Kingo, the hotel is often likened to a grand European lodge, offering a unique and luxurious stay that transports visitors back to early 20th-century Japan.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Nara Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive overall score of 8.7 on Agoda and 8.9 "Very Good" on Booking.com and Kayak. Guests frequently describe it as a "true gem," "luxurious," and a "classical and wonderful hotel" offering a memorable experience. Many highlight its "timeless elegance" and "rich history," making it a destination in itself.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several aspects of Nara Hotel:
- Service: The hotel is celebrated for its "exceptional hospitality" and the "friendliness and helpfulness" of its staff, who are noted for being attentive.
- Location: Its unparalleled setting within Nara Park, a 1,600-acre national treasure, provides stunning views and immediate access to major attractions. It's common to spot deer from the hotel grounds.
- Design: The hotel's traditional Japanese architecture, particularly the Main Building designed in the Momoyama Goten style with hinoki cypress, exudes a profound atmosphere and classic splendor. The grand lobby, adorned with intricate Japanese artwork, further enhances this sense of elegance.
- Amenities: Nara Hotel offers a range of facilities including two renowned restaurants, a charming tea lounge, a well-stocked bar, serene gardens, complimentary Wi-Fi, free parking, bike rentals, and a convenient free shuttle service to and from the train stations.
3. Room Quality
Nara Hotel offers a variety of spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, including Deluxe Twin, Standard Japanese Double/Twin, and Standard Twin options in both the Main and New Wings, often with city or park views. The rooms are designed in a traditional style while incorporating modern comforts, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, warm colors, an LCD TV, mini-bar, and a bathrobe. Many rooms boast beds with down comforters and premium bedding, along with well-appointed bathrooms featuring deep soaking bathtubs, bathrobes, slippers, and bidets. Some even include "airweave mattresses," a product favored by athletes. Guests often appreciate the generous size of the rooms, especially compared to typical Japanese hotel accommodations. Complimentary green tea from the Inokura Tea Farm is also a thoughtful touch.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel provides a delightful culinary journey with its diverse dining options. It features two on-site restaurants: Mikasa, serving traditional French cuisine, and Hanagiku, offering seasonal Japanese dishes. The main dining room is praised for its elegant ambiance and its signature "Dutch oven beef stew." Both Japanese and Western breakfast options receive high praise from guests. A cozy coffee shop and a bar are also available for lighter fare and drinks.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Nara Hotel is a consistent highlight, with a staff rating of 9.4 on Booking.com and a service score of 9.2 on Agoda. Guests frequently commend the staff for their "exceptional hospitality," "friendliness," and "helpfulness," noting their attentiveness and willingness to assist. The free shuttle service to and from the train stations is a valued amenity, enhancing convenience for travelers.
6. Location & Accessibility
Nara Hotel boasts a superb location, "nestled in the heart of Nara" and on the beautiful hills of Nara Park, overlooking the city's historic sites. It offers unparalleled access to key attractions, being just a 10-minute walk to the center of Nara Park, 15 minutes to Isuien Garden, and 20 minutes to Todai-ji Temple. Other significant cultural sites like Nara National Museum and Kasuga Grand Shrine are also easily accessible. The hotel is conveniently located near public transport, including Gakuemmae Station, Shin Omiya Station, and Kintetsu Nara Station, with a taxi ride from Kintetsu Nara Station taking approximately 5 minutes. Nara Station is a 10-minute bus ride away, offering connections to Kyoto in about 45 minutes.
7. Value & Pricing
While Nara Hotel offers a luxurious experience, it generally receives good ratings for "value for money" (8.3 on Booking.com, 8.4 on Agoda). With an average price of around $255 per room, it is positioned as "exceptional value" given its high-end amenities and services, especially when compared to the average hotel price in Nara. Room rates can vary significantly, ranging from approximately $132 for a standard room to over $600 for a deluxe room. Many guests feel that the unparalleled historic ambiance and quality justify the cost.
8. Common Complaints
Despite its many strengths, some recurring criticisms have been noted by guests:
- Dated Aspects: Some reviewers mention that certain areas, particularly the bathrooms and carpets, can appear "a bit dated" or in need of renovation.
- Noise: Due to the hotel's age, some guests have experienced noise from adjacent rooms due to thin walls.
- Pricing of Drinks: The cost of drinks at the bar, such as a pot of tea or a glass of wine, has been cited as expensive by some guests.
- Service Inconsistencies: Isolated incidents include a shuttle driver taking a guest to the wrong station and some staff being perceived as "a bit snooty."
- Language Barrier/TV: Non-Japanese speaking guests have noted difficulties operating air conditioning controls and the lack of English channels on the television.
- Breakfast Policy: A specific complaint involved an extra charge for coffee for a guest ordering the Japanese breakfast, while those with Western breakfast received unlimited refills.
- Cleanliness/Pests: A rare but severe complaint mentioned a dead cockroach in a room and unresponsiveness from staff regarding messages.
- Extra Charges: One guest reported an unexpected extra charge for a third person despite booking a room for three.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite its many strengths, some recurring criticisms have been noted by guests:
- •Breakfast Policy: A specific complaint involved an extra charge for coffee for a guest ordering the Japanese breakfast, while those with Western breakfast received unlimited refills.
- •Cleanliness/Pests: A rare but severe complaint mentioned a dead cockroach in a room and unresponsiveness from staff regarding messages.
Google Reviews
4,154 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Josh M
Fantastic and impressive historic hotel with spacious rooms and kind staff. Transfers to/from local train stations available. Very well located for the deer park and main sights. Breakfast was impressive but lacked some flexibility. Would definitely stay again.
Response from the owner
Dear Josh M<br>Thank you very much for your recent stay at Nara Hotel.<br><br>We are truly delighted to hear that you were satisfied with the historical charm of our hotel, the spaciousness of your ro...
S.K
Its architecture is a beautiful blend of traditional Japanese design and Western style, creating an atmosphere that feels both elegant and timeless. The Taishō era (1912–1926) is often remembered for its cultural brilliance and optimism—what is sometimes called Taishō Roman. It was a period of rapid economic growth and artistic flourishing, before Japan entered a more turbulent political era. Or...
Response from the owner
Dear M I<br>Thank you very much for choosing to stay at Nara Hotel.<br>We also sincerely appreciate your high rating and thoughtful feedback.<br><br>It is an honor to receive your compliments on the a...
Art Mused
It’s certainly not the five-star hotel it claims to be. It has impressive grandeur and history—including famous guests such as Dr. Einstein and the Emperor of Japan. However, the rooms are badly outdated; the chairs, carpets, and bathrooms all seem to have gone untouched for decades. The service is good, though not excellent. For a hotel that boasts of its international guests, the lack of food s...
Response from the owner
Dear Art Mused<br>Thank you very much for choosing to stay at Nara Hotel.<br>We sincerely appreciate your kind words regarding the unique atmosphere of our historic hotel, the spaciousness and view of...
Ej Fab
This place had extremely excellent service, even better than some of the resort type places I went to. Breakfast was a little more pricy but had so many courses that it was absolutely without a doubt worth it. I lost my sweatshirt and they went above and beyond to find it. They take extra care of their facility and it shows. Plus. It's right by the deer. Also some of the best bedside water I've e...
Response from the owner
Dear Ej Fab<br>Thank you very much for staying here at Nara Hotel.<br>We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed a relaxing and comfortable stay, distinctive to the atmosphere of our hotel.<br><b...
Devon Cleary
What an honour to be able to stay in a hotel like this. First off the smell of wood everywhere in the hotel feels like you’re staying in a church or a museum. It’s feels so royal and grand. Definitely stay in the old building if you can. The location is also second to none. A 5-10 minute taxi or 20 minute walk to the train station. 30 minute walk to almost anywhere in Nara.
Response from the owner
Dear Devon Cleary<br>Thank you very much for your recent stay at Nara Hotel.<br>We are also sincerely grateful for your high rating and the wonderful comments you shared about your experience.<br><br>...
William Jessop
Beautiful historical hotel with wonderful staff and an enjoyably kooky vibe. We stayed in a Western room and it was very comfortable. The hotel is right by the deer park, so ideal for beating the morning crowds.
Response from the owner
Dear William Jessop<br>Thank you very much for choosing Nara Hotel and for taking the time to share your kind review.<br><br>We are truly honored to receive your warm comments regarding our hotel's hi...
Marriott
