If seeing the famous Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park are at the top of your Kyoto bucket list, there is no better luxury accommodation than the Suiran, Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel, which is only a 10 minute walk away. The traditional Japanese style gardens and guestrooms are nestled under Japanese maple trees that turn a vibrant shade of red in autumn. Suiran is the perfect place for early risers to enjoy a sunrise over the tranquil Hozu River on their way to the Bamboo Forest. The park is almost empty around 7AM, the best time to truly appreciate this natural wonder. The impeccable service, local experiences, and private open-air spas make it easy to unwind. Thank you Suiran for providing a complimentary stay, but as always all opinions are my own.
Getting there: From the Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Saga Arashiyama Station and then walk 15 minutes or take a 5-minute taxi ride. The closest local (non-JR) station is the Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line, which is a 6-minute walk to Suiran.
Location: Located in the Arashiyama area, technically a suburb of Kyoto, the hotel is only a 10-minute walk from the Bamboo Forest. This makes it an ideal spot from which to walk early in the morning around 7AM. This enables you to get in before crowds arrive and get back to the hotel for breakfast.
Check in: Checking in was a fast and easy process. Sit in the purple comfy chairs as you are handed a refreshing towel for your hands. The staff was extremely attentive and when we shared our time concerns for certain attractions during our short stay, they quickly provided a map and information. They did not hesitate to answer all of our questions and even gave us a suggested itinerary of activities with suggested timing! Everyone went above and beyond to ensure we had an enjoyable stay in Kyoto.
The room: We stayed in the Yuzunoha Deluxe Room with two twin beds. The red table and low chairs on a Tatami mat floor provided the perfect nook for ordering room service. The bathroom was sizeable and complete with a walk-through shower to an outdoor, private open-air hot spring bath. The hot spring was a highlight during our stay! Rooms without a private hot spring have access to the hot springs on the 3rd floor by appointment only.
Bathroom: The Japanese toilets are a one-of-a-kind experience with a heated seat and a myriad of buttons. The shower was very large and the showerhead water pressure exceeded expectations. There was a gorgeous fall themed mirror. The locally-sourced soap has a beautiful lemony scent. The scrub body wash and loofah smelled so fresh and the shampoo and conditioner left our hair feeling noticeably softer. These are definitely the types of toiletries to collect and bring home.
Bathrobes and slippers: Two bathrobes were included, one was in the tall closet and one in the bathroom. Traditional Japanese pajamas in red and blue colors were also provided including a unique patterned dress and kimono-style wrap. Japanese tradition requests shoes to not be worn in the house. Therefore, the rough stone entranceway is set up with your slippers and a convenient seat to take off your shoes and transition into the soft and comfortable slippers.
Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi worked very well and passwords were easy to remember and access. There was one network in the common areas and one network in the rooms.
Water: Three complimentary waters were provided.
Coffee: There was a complimentary coffee machine in the room.
Power plugs: All the light switches were conveniently located over the bedside table including two plugs. Japanese plugs are the same as US plugs except they often do not have the third prong that many laptop chargers might require. There were three-pronged plug outlets over the minifridge next to the coffee machine.
Pool: Even better than a pool, the room highlight was our private Japanese-style hot spring. Everyone also has access to the 3rd floor hot springs by appointment. They recommend you only stay in for about 10 minutes at a time, so this was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring.
Dining: Breakfast was a unique tasting menu experience. You choose Western or Japanese style dishes and then sit and relax as you are served a flight of mini juices and small bite-sized courses, so you can try many different flavors at once. The champagne/wine reception with nuts and olives around sunset was a lovely way to start an evening out.
Fitness: There was a small gym on property.
The Verdict: The Suiran Hotel is perfect for couples looking for a quiet place to relax with amazing service, located only a short walk away from the Bamboo Forest.
Rooms: 39 guest rooms
Style: Traditional Elegance
Atmosphere: Japanese Modern Romantic
Check in: 3PM
Check out: 12 noon
Suiran Hotel amenities:
– Concierge Service
– Private open air-bath
– Restaurant and Café
– 24-hour in-room dining
– Turn down service
For more on Suiran read my friend’s review here.
Would you like to stay close to the bamboo forest with a private hot spring? Comment below!
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This hotel was so lovely, such a great experience with warm and friendly staff!