Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

The dining stood out, with thoughtful courses that felt as carefully put together as the rest of the hotel. The food was elevated and the surroundings were quiet near Nijo Castle, making it easy to get away from Kyoto's busier areas. Our room felt private and calm, and everything, from the rooms to the shared spaces, was clean and well cared for. Staff were professional and smooth to deal with while still feeling warm and considerate. The Gallery Nijo Castle Kyoto has a refined modern look, softened by Japanese details. The quality of the materials, lighting, and overall atmosphere was apparent from the start. It felt like a luxurious city hideaway, elegant and peaceful, with comfort and cleanliness clearly given a lot of thought.

My family and I stayed at Garrya Nijo Castle Hotel from November 25th to November 28th. This was one of the most impressive hotels we've visited around the world in recent years, and it made our return to Kyoto even more memorable. Back in April, when I booked, I emailed to ask for help reserving a Michelin restaurant. The hotel promptly explained that reservations would open three months before our dining date. Exactly three months ahead, Becky and Tomoka emailed me with an update on their communication with the restaurant. Because of my family's health-related and religious dietary restrictions, they worked with the restaurant and then suggested a more suitable place. We ended up having a wonderful meal. Another thoughtful moment happened during the stay. My father needs long-acting insulin, and my parents stored the refrigerated medication in the in-room fridge. Someone from the service staff had placed a cold pack on it. We were touched by the gesture. We don't know who cleaned Room 305 on November 26th. I wrote to the hotel to ask, but they said the likely staff member was on leave and needed to confirm. We hope they can identify this person so we can thank this invaluable employee personally. My husband and I have stayed at Palace-level hotels in Paris, but even their personalized butler service wasn't as attentive as the care we received here. Thank you so much.

The one small drawback was storage. There was a tiny wardrobe and some drawers, but nowhere decent to put empty suitcases. For a short stay, it wasn't a big deal. The rest was great: welcoming staff, genuinely warm service, clean and beautiful rooms, a huge comfy bed, and a cozy balcony. The food was tasty, and there was a Michelin restaurant on site. I especially loved the water filter. No little bottles to throw away and no need to ask for more when you run out. Walking in and seeing that beautiful momiji tree was such a special wow moment.

I visited the restaurant, not the hotel. The view of the interior garden from the dining room was lovely, with a lit maple tree and pond. The service and hospitality were world class, on a level with my experiences at three-star Michelin restaurants. It may be relevant that I was the only customer there. Every course and bite combined several interesting ingredients and flavors, balanced really well. The beet and truffle soup showed that especially well. I enjoyed all five wine pairings, and the 2018 Napa Cab even distracted me from the Saga wagyu. The portion size and pacing suited me perfectly, though I sometimes wanted just a little more of a sauce or two.