JW Marriott Hotel Nara

The staff made this feel like a true five-star stay, from the front desk to the lounge and spa. The concierge got in touch almost a month ahead to arrange dinner and spa bookings, and even coordinated with restaurants for my special occasion. The warmth at Azekura during their memorable omakase was something I won’t forget, and Silk Road Dining impressed me too. My only small gripe was arriving to a dark room, so I had to set the mood myself before taking photos. I was upgraded to an Executive Corner Suite with wide city views. A decorated Christmas tree in the living room was a thoughtful, festive touch. The hotel is downtown Nara beside the Convention Center, about a 15-minute walk from the train station. Nara Park and other historic places are roughly 40 minutes on foot, or a quick train ride with one stop. As my first JW stay, it set a remarkably high bar and well deserved its MICHELIN Key. For the price, it felt like a steal. I’d gladly return.

The white pyjamas were the standout for us: beautifully made, very soft, and among the most memorable parts of the stay. We also loved the hotel shuttle straight to the deer park, which made exploring Nara easy. The reception area gave us a warm first impression, and the room was comfortable, though nothing especially memorable. We liked our stay, but probably wouldn’t come back since Nara works fine as a day trip and we don’t need to stay there. Great, but nothing amazing.

The service was the best part. The check-in staff were friendly, and a bellman even offered to take a banana peel and wrapper from me and throw them away. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes to the station, where there’s more activity. It costs a lot, but the service feels worth the price. We’ve stayed at five hotels in Japan so far, and this was easily our favorite. The rooms are spacious, have comfortable beds, and are incredible, with some of the best amenities. There’s a pool and hot tub on the sixth floor, yoga at 7am on the second, plus spa and workout facilities. The one downside is that the pool, spa, and sauna close early, at 9pm.

Mali made check-in easy and was kind and communicative, sharing plenty of suggestions for the area. The team overall was attentive and welcoming. We enjoyed taking the bikes to Nara Park and around nearby areas, and the pool and hot tub were a great way to unwind after a long travel day. I also appreciated that tattoos are allowed in the pool and hot tub. It was a great stay, and I’d absolutely come back.