Joe McConnell
One of the best parts of traveling is staying in incredible hotels that are full of personality, local charm, and a true sense of place. In Japan, Accor just opened the Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, a gorgeous, luxurious hotel that has all of these qualities and more.
TPG had the opportunity to pay a brief visit to the new resort a few days after it opened in the beautiful and historic Higashiyama district. There, people in rented kimonos walk along picturesque streets and past historic temples, such as Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Though I doubt the old geishas were seen carrying coffee from Starbucks, even though the local one has a tatami floor.)
The first Banyan Tree in Japan, this property has been meticulously renovated on the site of the former Hotel Ryozen to meet the brand’s signature standards, while still paying homage to the unique elements that made the site so precious, such as the Higashiyama Onsen hot spring.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto consists of 52 guest rooms, eight of which draw water directly from the hot springs. The rooms are designed around a Japanese phrase meaning “hidden beauty revealed,” and feature traditional Japanese elements such as cypress wood bathtubs, tatami mats, and, in some rooms, traditional Japanese sunken tables called horigotatsu.
Guests and visitors to the hotel will find a beautiful Noh stage where the art of Nohgaku has been performed for about 650 years. At the hotel, traditional Nohgaku performances centered on gods and ghosts are combined with new age art, musical events and other types of performances that require a stage.
If you find yourself there, head past the stage to the bamboo grove, which feels like a private trip to the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, but without the crowds. It’s one of three gardens on the property that guests can visit for special relaxation events like yoga classes.
Banyan Tree is known for its pampering spa services and indulgent spas, so it’s no surprise that Higashiyama Kyoto has a spa with six treatment rooms, each with a tub that uses hot spring water (although I’d personally splurge on one of the onsen rooms, so you can essentially have a private spa in your bedroom).
The hotel’s dining options include a Japanese restaurant serving seasonal dishes made with Kyoto’s famous produce, as well as a sake bar.
In a city filled with unique hotels, from the Six Senses Kyoto, which opened earlier this year, to luxury brands like Aman, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto offers a truly special experience set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most exciting cities. This new hotel is a fabulous addition to an already exciting hotel scene.
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Although Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is part of Accor Live Limitless, this loyalty program works a little differently than most. Instead of booking award nights with a fixed number of points, members can exchange 2,000 points for 40 euros (about $44) off their stay.
Rates at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto start at $1,365 per night and include breakfast and one dinner.
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