Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto

The Kyoto setting is lovely and the hotel looks beautiful, but I can't recommend staying here. The service was polite, yet the organization fell far short of what I expect from a five-star property. We were repeatedly asked to schedule basics like breakfast and room cleaning in advance. With a baby, that felt intrusive rather than helpful. The heat in our room swung between too hot and too cold overnight, roughly 18 to 26 degrees. A leaking tap wasn't repaired until day four of our five-night visit. The male onsen had a strong, unpleasant smell in the changing room during the first few days, so I couldn't use it after that. The onsen itself also lacked appeal in design and atmosphere. Breakfast came in only three fixed set menus, with little room for personal preferences. Dinner disappointed too, and didn't match the Japanese food quality we found elsewhere on our trip, though the sake selection was good. The bar stayed empty throughout our stay, with a rather uninspired cocktail list. There was also a serious booking mix-up. On day three, after some earlier confusion partly caused by email issues on our side, I asked about our remaining reservations. The hotel gave me incorrect information, and I ended up paying a USD 400 penalty for a reservation I would gladly have attended if I'd been told correctly. The matter is still unresolved, and I believe the hotel was at fault. We've stayed at several Banyan Tree properties around the world, and this was by far our weakest experience.

The private onsen in our room made our anniversary stay at Banyan Tree Kyoto feel wonderfully peaceful, and it was worth having one to enjoy in private. Staff looked after us from the moment we arrived. I especially enjoyed the bartender at Bar Ryozen, who walked me through the Japanese whiskey options. The afternoon tea was lovely too, with the chef preparing a range of savory and sweet dishes. As our trip approached, staff were responsive over email and helped answer questions and arrange bookings. We'd gladly add a few days here as a vacation within a vacation on another trip to Japan.

Kohji made our family feel welcome and cared for from the moment we arrived. His kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail made the whole visit memorable. We've stayed at many five-star resorts around Asia, and he's among the best hospitality professionals we've met. He represents Banyan Tree so well. Our Onsen suite was ideal for relaxing together, and the daily breakfast had Japanese and Western choices that worked for everyone. The resort is very kid-friendly while still feeling high-end. It can be hard to find that blend of luxury and genuine warmth when traveling as a family, but Banyan Tree Kyoto managed it. I'd highly recommend it to families looking for a thoughtful, easy stay in Kyoto.

The bamboo forest right outside brought a special sense of calm, and the room was spacious, peaceful, and beautifully thought through. The atmosphere feels elegant and well suited to Kyoto. We even got to see small traditional koto performances and enjoy cultural touches, which were a real highlight. The Higashiyama area is close by, with Kiyomizu-dera and the traditional streets easy to reach. After staying at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, I wasn't sure another visit could be even more memorable, but Banyan Tree Kyoto exceeded my expectations. My one small letdown was breakfast: apart from the traditional Japanese set menu, the alternatives were limited and not very good. Even so, it was an exceptional stay and a lovely base for exploring Kyoto.