The Hotel I stayed at The Hotel Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu, A Pan Pacific Hotel on my recent trip to Kyoto as the hotel just joined GHA this year. Located in Higashiyama district, the hotel’s location is relatively quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Gion, yet not too far away by car or subway. It is peaceful, yet not too isolated.
There is a driveway into the hotel which makes it convenient for guests to alight from the car with their bags. The hotel lobby is cosy, with a gift shop and an open concept café Sarei by Gion Tsujiri as well.
The Room I checked into the Premier King Room which is very spacious and well-appointed at about 28-30 sqm. The design of the room’s interior takes on a contemporary design with some bits of Japanese elements.
The mattress of the bed is fairly hard to my liking, and the amenities in the room are very decent, including a large flat-screen TV, high-speed internet, a minibar, and a bathroom with a tub and standing shower zone.
There are also charging points on both sides of the bed which is a plus. Complimentary water is refilled everyday if you opt for housekeeping.
I also like that Japanese design typically keeps the shower area and toilet bowl in separate zones.
No automated blinds or curtains, and there is also no master switch to turn off all the lights at one go.
The Restaurants Nananoichi located at the basement is the main Japanese French dining concept, and this is also where breakfast buffet is served should you be eligible for the breakfast. I had free breakfast for my booking by virtue of my GHA Discovery Titanium status. The space of Nananoichi is quite big and the best table are those right beside the window where you get some natural light in the day.
In terms of the morning buffet spread, it is quite extensive with a mix of Japanese and Western dishes. I especially appreciated the variety of traditional Japanese breakfast items — rice, miso soup, grilled fish (salmon or cod during my stay), and pickles. There is even a station for wagyu beef shabu-shabu.
Located on the lobby level is also Sarei by Gion Tsujiri, where Gion Tsujiri is a historic tea house founded in 1860. This is a space where you can enjoy a selection of teas and sweets, with a view of the hotel’s courtyard.
The Facilities The downside is that the facilities are quite limited. For one, the fitness center is part of a utility room which also houses the laundry area. Sp yes, I encountered other guests waiting for their laundry in the same space while I tried to work out in the same zone. The gym equipment is very very basic with no bench, and the heaviest dumbbell being 10kg. the gym area is incredibly small too.
Of course, there is also no onsen or pool on site.
One service I appreciate is the shuttle bus service between the hotel and Kyoto Station. That said, the frequency is once per hour – every 55th minute from the hotel to Kyoto Station; and every 25th minute from Kyoto Station back to the hotel.
Rants The English standards of the staff are quite basic based on my interaction with the reception. A proper gym is also lacking in this hotel.
Overall Experience A relatively good stay for me especially if you are a GHA Discovery holder. The spacious rooms and location are a plus for me, though the facilities are quite basic.
The Higashiyama Kyoto Tokyu, A Pan Pacific Hotel
Japan, 〒605-0033 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Ebisucho, 三丁目175-2
For more information, check out Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach Website.
Ranted by The Ranter
AloJapan.com