Hotel Tenpyo Naramachi

The hotel has a really distinctive, cool style. They also have a wheelchair available to rent if you get injured. Great stay!

The room itself was a highlight: roomy even for three, with a cute design that sticks to the hotel's theme. I booked it for two because I really wanted the Sarusawa Pond view, and the twin rooms were already full. No regrets at all. From the fourth floor, I thought the view was even better than the one from the public balcony. Service stood out too. The staff were among the best I've come across in all my travels, and Ms.Kim at reception especially made the trip memorable with her smile and kindness. They let me leave my bag before check-in and even offered to take it up to my room. At checkout I got a sweet little message card and candies. There aren't many rooms, which seems to mean little crowding or waiting, even during busy check-in and checkout periods. The lobby feels like a gallery, full of installations, and I'd have spent plenty of time there on a longer stay. Welcome drinks are served in the cafe, with more choices than I've seen at some pricier hotels. I chose the English breakfast tea and really liked it. The public bath was fine. The changing area is a bit tight, though I went close to midnight and didn't have to think about other guests. One quirk: there are two elevators, but only one reaches the basement bath. It took me a while to work out the workaround. If the elevator that skips the basement is waiting, press the first floor button and let its doors close without getting in, then call again so the other elevator, the one that goes down, can arrive. The price was very reasonable, and you can see a few places where they saved money: there was no hot water at the washbasin, and the toiletries were fairly basic. Shampoo and body wash came in sachets instead of large bottles, although the bath has them in bottles. Those details didn't bother me or affect my stay. I didn't eat there, so I can't comment on the food, but I checked the menu and saw halal-friendly and vegan-friendly options. That's a big plus, since many hotels in Japan still seem behind on dietary needs.

A few small things could be better: the washbasin is so small that water tends to splash out. But I had a great stay in Nara. The room was spacious and laid out well, with a table for eating and a kettle, and the hot water came through quickly. There are pajamas, plus basic toiletries you can pick up from the table by the elevator lobby. They even had a cute bag and kimono slipper socks. I loved the basement onsen. It has one pool, three sit baths and one standing bath. I visited at a quiet time and was mostly there alone. The second-floor terrace gives an open view of the pond and temple, so a room that doesn't face the pond is still fine. Deer wander by the pond, and Nara Park is right outside. The common lounge has a microwave, hot water, coffee and quiet places to sit. The staff at reception gave us a genuinely warm welcome and spoke English, and there was a handwritten thank-you note too. The train station is an 8-15 minute walk. This is a lovely place to stay in Nara.

The location worked perfectly for the train stations, park and market, and the staff were so friendly. I stayed for a week in November while visiting Nara and loved it. Hope I can come back one day. Miss you all.