Kyoto SANARI Konoeden

A peaceful, luxurious home base in Kyoto. The hosts were kind and quick to respond.

The owner's care made traveling with our two-year-old daughter far less stressful than usual. They provided her with tableware, toys, picture books, a crib, and a high chair, and, after I mentioned she can't sleep in bright light, they put blackout curtains over the windows. She slept soundly and stayed in a good mood. I was also grateful for the recommendations they sent in advance for nearby restaurants, bakeries, sweets shops, and delicatessens. We visited several for meals and snacks, and every one was wonderful. The owner's taste was excellent. We stayed two nights in mid-December with my husband and daughter, in the "Bamboo" room. The inn is north of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, by the Doshisha University campus, and it's easy to get around from there. Through the lattice gate, there's a tea room and a garden passage. I was delighted to see autumn leaves that I thought might already have fallen. The room smelled of wood and felt calm. Nishijin-ori panels on the bedroom sliding doors showed the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, and just looking at them felt elegant. After our daughter fell asleep, we dimmed the lights, cooked food we'd bought, and enjoyed a lovely bar-time looking at the panels. It was freezing outside during a cold snap, but the underfloor heating kept the room warm. There was an air purifier and humidifier, which I appreciated because my daughter is sensitive to dry air. The large cypress wood tub fit all three of us, and we could soak and warm up together. Our bathroom at home is too small for that, so seeing how happy our daughter was warmed my heart. Renting a whole house let us enjoy everyday family life in a special setting, and the owner's kind, attentive hospitality made the experience even richer. I'd love to come back. Thank you so much for everything!

We recently stayed at Sanari for our last trip together as a couple. I loved the building's exterior and interior, and even the amenities. The lovely wood scent hit me as soon as I walked in, and the beautiful folding screens especially moved me. We were lucky to have good weather, and time passed quickly while we relaxed on the terrace for the first time in a while. I look forward to coming back for a longer stay when there are three of us.

The hosts’ thoughtfulness is what made our stay special. We told them our two-year-old daughter wakes early if the room isn’t dark, and they offered to put up blackout curtains. They also set up a cute set of children’s dishes, a chair so she could eat with us, and a lock code that was easy for our family to remember. We picked Take because its open-plan townhouse seemed more relaxed for traveling with a baby who still cries a lot. It’s in a quiet residential area and has a double automatic lock. Inside, the barrier-free cypress bath and washing machine are just to the right; farther in is a roomy living, dining, and kitchen area. We only stayed one night and wished we could have stayed longer. We’d love to come back.