Nara Royal Hotel

Moro at the front desk made a real difference, sharing recommendations and checking that we were comfortable. He was always smiling and rushing around the lobby to help whoever needed it. The breakfast had a good range of dishes, and the customer service was amazing, as always. Staying here was a pleasure, and I’d definitely come back on our next trip.

The rooms were spacious enough to leave a suitcase open, which was a nice surprise. The spa area was decent, with three warm pools, a cold pool, and a sauna. But the place wasn’t well kept. Everything was really dusty, and the wall-to-wall carpeting set off my dust allergy even with antihistamines. I couldn’t open the room window, and breakfast had no plant-based milk, only cow’s milk. Attractions are one train stop farther downtown, with nothing interesting nearby.

The hotel is in a fairly quiet area, and the room was much bigger than you’d expect, far above the average Japan hotel. Staff were lovely at the front desk and suggested lots of places for our trips. I also really liked the onsen, especially the sauna. It’s about a 13-minute walk from Shin-Omiya station, but worth the time and money.

The buffet breakfast had plenty of choice, including local Nara specialties, and the rooms were clean and roomy with yukata and other amenities. The onsen is the main draw, with hot and cold baths that are great for relaxing. It can get crowded in the evenings, including with people who aren’t staying at the hotel, so mornings are quieter. This is an older, historic-style hotel with good service. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station, though the road gets very dark after dark.