HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa

I’m glad I was able to stay at a great price during the limited-time sale. As expected from Mitsui’s top-tier Hotel brand, the building and the Room were excellent. I was especially satisfied with the delicious Thermal Spring experience and Toki dinner. However, it was disappointing that you can no longer enjoy buffet items with the Japanese breakfast, which seemed to be available before.

This is a Hotel frequently featured in travel magazines and the media. The Accommodation Fee is also among the highest in Kyoto Hotels. I’d always thought “someday,” but the price was a hurdle… Perhaps because of that Prime Minister’s remark? Or maybe it was simply off-season winter pricing in Kyoto—I’m not sure, but it came within a range even I could afford, so I tried staying for one night. The dignified Japanese-modern architecture, with trees placed around the grounds, evokes the designs of Mr. Isoya Yoshida, and the Kajii-no-miya Gate adds an even greater sense of prestige. Unfortunately, I felt that the neighboring Hotel visible next door detracts from this beautiful scenery. Inside, it was extremely quiet, and time passed slowly and elegantly. The staff service is also worthy of a top-tier Hotel. It was a shame that the courtyard—the Hotel’s biggest highlight—felt sparse in winter; I imagine it must be wonderful in spring, summer, and autumn with all kinds of trees. The Room was also spacious and comfortable. Since mine was a standard first-floor Room on the Nijo Castle side, the view wasn’t great. Are the Rooms with views like those in the promotional video suites? I also visited the thermal spring downstairs—it was a bit cold. I’d like them to raise the temperature slightly. The impressive marble bathtub in my Room filled quickly, but when my body touched it, it felt so cold it made me shiver, so I couldn’t relax and soak for long. Dinner at the restaurant as well as breakfast were both delicious. Overall, my impression is that this is a Hotel for inbound travelers where you can fully experience “Kyoto-ness.”