The Hotel Higashiyama by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Hotel

The Hotel Higashiyama by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, a Pan Pacific Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern luxury in the historic Higashiyama district of Kyoto. Guests consistently praise its tranquil ambiance, thoughtful design, and dedicated service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Hotel Higashiyama generally receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with an average rating of 8.9 on platforms like Agoda and Booking.com, where it is frequently rated as "excellent". Guests consistently express satisfaction with the hotel's commitment to excellence, describing it as a "serene and luxurious retreat" that provides a "pleasant" and "comfortable" stay. Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its high standards and unique appeal.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly fond of the hotel's:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel blends Japanese charm with modern luxury, featuring contemporary designs with traditional Japanese elements and textiles. It offers a tranquil atmosphere, often described as a "modern ryokan experience". A rock garden and central courtyard add to its serene appeal.
• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently highlighted for being friendly, polite, helpful, and professional.
• Location: Situated in the peaceful Higashiyama district, it offers a quiet escape while remaining accessible to major attractions.
• Amenities: The complimentary shuttle service to Kyoto Station is a major convenience. The hotel also provides an onsen-style experience with three private baths and an outdoor foot spa, along with an elegant tea bar "Sarei by Gion Tsujiri".

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Hotel Higashiyama are often described as spacious and well-appointed, with Premier King Rooms measuring approximately 28-30 sqm. They feature a contemporary design incorporating Japanese elements and offer a comfortable and clean environment.

Key features include:

• Comfort: Guests appreciate the comfortable beds, although some have noted the mattress can be "fairly hard" (a matter of personal preference).
• Amenities: Rooms are equipped with a large flat-screen TV, high-speed internet, a minibar, and a bathroom with both a tub and a standing shower zone. Charging points are conveniently located on both sides of the bed.
• Design Details: A Japanese design choice of separate shower areas and toilet bowls is present, and complimentary water is refilled daily. Additional comforts include air conditioning, plush linens, blackout curtains, a refrigerator, complimentary coffee/tea, high-quality toiletries, and bathrobes.
• Views: Some rooms are arranged around a tranquil central courtyard with a rock garden, offering pleasant views.

Minor points of criticism include the absence of automated blinds/curtains and a master switch for all lights, and some guests with large suitcases found the room size to be a "little small".

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's main dining establishment is "Nananoichi," located in the basement, which offers a Japanese-French dining concept.

• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is extensive, providing a rich mix of Japanese and Western dishes. Guests particularly enjoy the variety of traditional Japanese items, such as rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, and even a wagyu beef shabu-shabu station. The breakfast is frequently described as "delicious". However, there have been a few isolated comments about the breakfast quality.
• Other Dining: Dinner at Nananoichi is also highly recommended, praised for its "excellent food" and "delicious" 5-course French/Japanese fusion. On the lobby level, "Sarei by Gion Tsujiri," a tea bar produced by a historic tea house founded in 1860, offers a selection of teas and sweets with a view of the hotel's courtyard.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff are a consistent highlight of the hotel. Guests frequently commend the team for being "professional," "friendly," "polite," and "helpful". Many appreciate their efficiency during check-in and at the breakfast restaurant, as well as their quick responses to inquiries. They are dedicated to providing a seamless transportation experience, particularly with the shuttle service.

While the majority of feedback is positive, some guests have noted that the English communication skills of some reception staff can be "basic". One review mentioned a "seriously terrible" service experience due to staff's inability to resolve an air conditioning issue and communicate effectively in English; however, this appears to be an outlier.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent location" in the Higashiyama district, known for its historic charm. It offers a peaceful environment, slightly removed from the busiest areas of Gion but still easily accessible.

• Public Transport: Higashiyama Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line is a short 4-minute walk away.
• Shuttle Service: A complimentary shuttle bus runs hourly to and from Kyoto Station, with a journey time of approximately 15-20 minutes, which guests find very convenient.
• Attractions: Numerous attractions are within easy reach: Shoren-in Temple is a 2-minute walk, Heian Shrine is 10-12 minutes away, and the Gion district is a 10-minute stroll. Kaji Shrine and Awata Shrine are also within walking distance. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is about 1.6 miles away.
• Local Amenities: A Lawson convenience store and a McDonald's are located nearby.

While well-connected, some individual feedback mentioned the location as "far away from metro subway station" if not specifically utilizing Higashiyama Station or the shuttle.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally perceive The Hotel Higashiyama as offering good value for money, reflected in its 8.5 rating for this category on Booking.com. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it provides a luxurious experience within a competitive price range.

• Price Range: Room prices can start from around USD 101.28, with typical rates varying between $90 and $191, depending on the room type and time of booking. The cheapest deals are often found in March and August, particularly for stays on Tuesdays or Sundays.
• Additional Costs: Guests should be aware of an accommodation tax not included in the room rate. Breakfast buffet is approximately JPY 3729 for adults, and spa access is around JPY 7000 per night. Parking is available for JPY 2,000 per night.

8. Common Complaints

While highly rated, some recurring issues and criticisms include:

• Limited Facilities: The most common complaint concerns the hotel's fitness center, described as "incredibly small" and "very basic," sometimes even feeling like "part of a utility room" with limited equipment (e.g., heaviest dumbbell 10kg, no bench).
• No Onsen/Pool: Despite offering private onsen-style baths, the hotel does not have a communal hot spring (onsen) or a swimming pool.
• Shuttle Bus Frequency: The shuttle bus to Kyoto Station, while convenient, operates hourly, which some guests might find infrequent.
• Language Barrier: A few guests reported basic English proficiency among some front desk staff, leading to communication challenges.
• Room Features: The absence of automated blinds/curtains and a master switch to turn off all lights at once was a minor point of critique.
• Room Size (for some): While generally considered spacious, a few travelers noted rooms could feel "a little small" when accommodating large suitcases.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. kayak.com
4. trip.com
5. michelin.com
6. therantingpanda.com
7. booking.com
8. alifewelltravelled.co.uk
9. panpacific.com
10. klook.com
11. booking.com
12. tablethotels.com
13. ghadiscovery.com
14. panpacific.com
15. hotel-kyoto.com
16. jnto.go.jp
17. tokyuhotels.co.jp
18. tokyuhotels.co.jp
19. hotels.com
20. agoda.com
21. traveloka.com