The Park Hyatt Kyoto is certainly one of Kyoto’s most engaging properties and certainly one of three Park Hyatt inns in Japan. It solely not too long ago opened in 2019, so I used to be eager to expertise it on my second go to to the town.
The property is nestled within the historic district of Higashiyama, the place staggered hillside buildings transport you again in time to feudal-era Japan.
The setting appeared equal elements stunning and surreal from the skin, so I used to be intrigued to remain right here as a Hyatt Globalist member and to verify off this aspirational property from my bucket listing.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Reserving
I used to be in a position to guide this keep for 35,000 World of Hyatt factors for a one-night keep.
This can be a Class 8 property below World of Hyatt, so there’s separate pricing for off-peak, peak, and common pricing. Common pricing on the time was 40,000 factors, whereas off-peak pricing was 35,000 factors.
I simply so occurred to search out the someday inside a two-week interval with off-peak pricing as a substitute of normal. Naturally, I organized my keep right here on the Park Hyatt Kyoto for that individual evening, and saved myself 5,000 factors by doing so.
When reserving with money, this property goes for round ¥100,000–150,000 yen ($1,000–1,500 CAD) per evening.
I used to be assured that I used to be getting glorious worth for my World of Hyatt factors, which we worth at 1.9 cents (CAD) per level, as I achieved a redemption fee of over 3 cents (CAD) per level with this reserving.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Location
Higashiyama is positioned on the jap facet of Kyoto, previous the Kamo River. It’s a small vacationer city, preserving the ambiance and really feel of feudal Japan, and the Park Hyatt blends seamlessly into the distinctive setting.
Higashiyama has loads to supply, from conventional pottery shops, tea homes, and lots of eating places. Plus, the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple is located proper on its doorstep, solely a five-minute stroll from the Park Hyatt.
Kyoto’s different fashionable sights, together with the gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha and Nijo Fortress, are each a 15-minute taxi experience from the Park Hyatt.
It’s a bit additional to different sights such because the Kinkaku-ji golden Buddhist temple, the place it’ll take roughly half-hour by automobile to reach.
For these travelling from inside Japan, you’ll probably arrive at Osaka Itami Airport, which is a 25-minute journey to and from the lodge. Alternatively, worldwide travellers may have a 90-minute journey from Osaka Kansai Worldwide Airport to the lodge.
The closest Kyoto Subway outpost from the property is Gion-Shijo Station, a 15-minute stroll away.
Lastly, the Shinkansen line, which is commonly the selection of transportation from Tokyo, arrives on the Kyoto Station – a 15-minute taxi journey to the lodge.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Test-in
We arrived on the Park Hyatt Kyoto at about 6pm, and had been instantly greeted by the lodge employees. As quickly as we stepped out of the taxi, the bellhops proactively helped us with our belongings.
We then headed to the entrance desk, the place the affiliate welcomed us, retrieved our reservation, and confirmed our improve to the King Room with View.
Sadly, the lodge has a really restricted variety of rooms and suites, with simply 70 visitor rooms and 9 suites, so upgrades could be troublesome to return by.
The usual suite at this lodge is known as the Park Suite, and that is the suite that Hyatt Globalist members sometimes get upgraded to, if it’s obtainable.
Alas, each Park Suites had been occupied on the time of my go to, which came about throughout “Silver Week” in Japan. This string of two public holidays inside one week makes it a really busy time for home journey.
However, the lodge had nonetheless accomplished us a favour by upgrading us to the seventh-floor King Room with View.
From right here, we had been escorted to our room by the attendant, the place we accomplished the formalities and checked in to the room.
In-room check-in is a standard follow at many high-end inns worldwide, and particularly right here in Kyoto. I recall getting the identical remedy again at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto after I had stayed there just a few years in the past.
As we made our strategy to the room, I took word of the lodge’s very distinctive structure. The property is unfold throughout two separate buildings, each occupying a single elevated ridge inside the Higashiyama district.
We took a set of elevators that whisked us as much as the fifth ground of the principle constructing, and from there, a coated outside path briefly led us into the second constructing.
Each buildings overlook an inside courtyard, which in itself is occupied by a neighbouring restaurant, Kyoyamato. The restaurant is independently operated, however remains to be affiliated with the lodge.
The second constructing begins on the fifth ground, with two further flooring above that play host to extra visitor rooms. Ours was positioned on the seventh ground of the second constructing, in Room 712.
Upon arriving on the room, we had been knowledgeable that the Park Hyatt Kyoto additionally hosts a Champagne hour between 5–6pm for its friends in The Dwelling Room. That is unique for Hyatt Globalist members, in addition to friends staying within the lodge’s suites.
Sadly, we missed the Champagne hour that night, nevertheless it’s one thing that may have been good to expertise as a Globalist staying right here.
As soon as we accomplished check-in, the attendant provided to stroll us via the options of our King Room with View.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – King Room with View
Since we arrived at evening, we didn’t absolutely take within the floor-to-ceiling views simply but. Nonetheless, upon waking up the next days, seeing the views of Higashiyama via the expansive home windows was actually an awe-inspiring second.
Moreover, since we had been on the highest ground of the constructing, we had a sloping roof, which gave us the texture of a bigger indoor house.
At 45 sq. metres, the room is giant sufficient for a cushty keep whereas nonetheless feeling cozy. Gentle Tamo wooden is used all through the room, serving as a midpoint between the fashionable metallic framing and conventional Japanese touches.
Upon getting into the room, there’s a pantry space on the proper. We discovered a Nespresso espresso maker right here, in addition to quite a few minibar drinks and snacks.
There’s a seating space that contains a comfortable sofa with a myriad of fluffy pillows. A quilted armchair sits subsequent to a contemporary espresso desk on the foot of the mattress, the place a welcome reward of grapes awaited us.
To the proper of this seating space, a big flat-screen TV is mounted to the wall.
The king mattress sits towards the left-hand wall, accompanied by two completely different bedside tables on both facet. One is extra fashionable and darker, whereas the opposite is wood and connected to the wall.
The bogs are opulent, with extra Tamo wooden contrasting a darkish polished Juparana granite. This was notably a glossier floor in comparison with the honed end used again on the Lodge The Mitsui Kyoto.
The house featured a conceit with double sinks and a typical Japanese-style moist room. The moist room comprises a bathe and a placing soaker tub embedded within the marble, whereas the bathroom is separate from the house.
Furthermore, the toilet was fitted with Le Labo toiletries, a Park Hyatt signature.
Though we didn’t get a collection, I didn’t have any complaints concerning the room. The sq. footage was maybe a bit restricted, however the stunning heat Japanese finishings and mesmerizing views made up for it.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Higashiyama Home
I additionally had an opportunity to tour just a few of the opposite room sorts throughout my keep.
The Higashiyama Home is a specialty suite, two steps above the usual Park Suite that Globalist members can anticipate to get upgraded to if obtainable. (The Ninenzaka Home, a premium suite, is positioned between the 2.)
As a non-standard suite, it could undoubtedly take a good bit of “suite-talking” or an distinctive stroke of luck to be upgraded to this suite. A paid improve could be a extra probably path to spending an evening on this suite.
Nonetheless, it’s a shocking house, impressed by the mountains of Kyoto and boasting the identical relaxed ambiance throughout its residing and sleeping areas.
There are floor-to-ceiling home windows on two sides of the suite. One is on the far finish of the residing house, after which one other window leads into the first bed room.
The lavatory is just like the King Room with View; nonetheless, the sinks are separated, and the bath is bigger and round.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Pagoda Home
The Pagoda Home is the Presidential Suite right here on the Park Hyatt Kyoto. It’s an enormous house that doubles as a venue for exhibitions and small occasions.
Right here, you’ll discover floor-to-ceiling views on not one, not two, however three sides of the suite.
Moreover, the house contains a non-public kitchen for meals preparation, because the Pagoda Home is commonly used for personal eating.
The lavatory has an identical structure to the Higashiyama Home, with delicate variations, such because the sinks stored on the identical counter.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Breakfast
On the Park Hyatt Kyoto, Globalist members are given complimentary every day Western breakfast for 2 as their elite breakfast providing.
In case you’d prefer to have a separate Japanese breakfast catered by Kyoyamato, the restaurant subsequent door that’s intently affiliated with the lodge, you then’ll should pay a surcharge of ¥3,000 ($30 CAD).
Frankly, I used to be fairly dissatisfied by this. I used to be stunned that the extra genuine Japanese breakfast possibility was the one topic to a surcharge, particularly for the lodge’s top-tier friends.
We nonetheless begrudgingly paid for the Japanese set meal to present it a attempt, however as a Globalist member who’s skilled loads of generosity from inns world wide on account of my elite standing, I’d put this down as a reasonably important mark towards the lodge.
Breakfast is hosted in Kyoto Bistro, positioned close to the lodge’s entrance. In case you’ve ordered the Japanese breakfast, it will get ready in Kyoyamoto’s kitchen earlier than being served right here.
The starter was fairly tasty. A jelly eggplant dish was served in an eggplant-shaped bowl, which we thought was fairly amusing.
Following this, an elaborate Japanese bento field is introduced, with grilled miso cod as the principle merchandise.
Moreover, I loved nibbling away at numerous facet dishes and accompaniments to my fish, rice, and miso soup throughout this two-layered bento field.
Like most Japanese breakfasts we indulged in alongside this journey, the meal was delicately balanced, with the salty and umami flavours of the person gadgets pairing nicely with the rice.
Regardless of the standard of the meal, although, the truth that we needed to pay a $30 surcharge as Hyatt Globalist members did rub me the improper approach.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Eating
Along with Kyoto Bistro, an all-day eating venue, Yasaka, is positioned on the fourth ground. Just like the traverse to the lodge’s second constructing on the fifth ground, you’ll move via the outside briefly, and also you’ll then arrive on the restaurant.
(Aspect word: take a peek on the hyperlink chains hanging from the roof construction, which consolidate the circulate of water when it’s raining exterior. How elegant!)
There are two teppanyaki eating rooms, each of which supply views of the Higashiyama space and the Yasaka Pagoda, the final remaining construction of a sixth-century temple.
This landmark could be seen from a lot of the views from the lodge, together with our very personal King Room with View.
If I had extra time on the property, I might’ve beloved to check out a teppanyaki sitting for lunch or dinner right here at Yasaka with the serene views within the distance.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Bar
One spotlight of the Park Hyatt Kyoto that we didn’t miss out on was Kohaku, the lodge’s bar, which can be located on the fourth ground.
Kohaku was one of the vital spectacular lodge bars that I’ve ever had the pleasure of having fun with a drink in.
The house is very unique and intimate, with simply 10 seats overlooking Higashiyama and the Yasaka Pagoda, and some further seats on the facet.
When my accomplice Jessy and I first went, we had been the one friends on the bar.
It was so quiet that you may hear a pin drop, and with simply us and the bartender, it virtually felt like we had been having fun with a drink in our personal non-public viewing room at certainly one of Kyoto’s most stunning landmarks.
Moreover, the drinks had been elaborately ready, and had been well-balanced and easy. We savoured every sip as we took within the gorgeous environment.
A cocktail right here on the Kohaku bar begins at ¥2,310 ($22 CAD), so the wonderful expertise right here doesn’t come low-cost.
Nonetheless, the unique dimly-lit ambiance, mixed with the darkish woods and leather-based textures of the house, made for an unforgettable ambiance.
A drink at Kohaku was certainly one of many highlights of our keep, and I’d wholly advocate you cease by the bar at sundown or within the night – particularly if nobody else is round.
Park Hyatt Kyoto – Different Amenities
The health centre is positioned on the third ground of the principle constructing, and was a really aesthetically pleasing house. The fitness center tools is scattered throughout many nooks of this Japanese-style hallway.
There’s every little thing you’d want for an incredible exercise right here, from new cardio tools to free weights. Moreover, headphones, water, fruit, and towels can be found for friends.
On the finish of the hallway is the place the spa and onsen services could be discovered. There’s a scorching pool, a chilly pool, a steam room, a sauna, and a altering space.
These services are separated by gender, however are communal in any other case, so there’s an opportunity you’ll be sharing the baths with different friends.
In our case, we primarily had the onsen to ourselves whereas we had been there. It was good to hop forwards and backwards between the chilly plunge pool and the new tub and really indulge within the expertise.
In line with the visitor rooms, the onsen was stunning, with Japanese wooden columns contrasting the polished granite of the swimming pools.
It’s price noting that in case you have tattoos, you may very well be requested to depart if you find yourself sharing the power with different friends, as there’s nonetheless some unfavourable connotations surrounding tattoos in Japan as we speak.
Along with the fitness center and spa services, the Tea Lounge is positioned on the fifth ground of the principle constructing, and also you’ll move by this space fairly regularly as you make your approach throughout the ridge to the second constructing.
The Tea Lounge is a small communal house with grab-and-go bottled water all day and tea obtainable to order within the afternoons. Nonetheless, it didn’t appear as if anybody was ordering.
The Dwelling Room is located close to the check-in desks, and serves as a communal house within the lodge the place friends can collect. That is the place Champagne hour is hosted for Globalist members and suite friends.
It’s a brightly illuminated house with a shocking open hearth and comfy armchairs dotted round giant live-edge tables.
Upon arrival, all friends are handled to a selection of welcome drink, to be served within the Dwelling Room (we truly didn’t get round to having ours till simply previous to departure).
I opted for a cappuccino, whereas Jessy sipped on a glass of wine.
Lastly, I’ll additionally take this second to touch upon the attractive aesthetics of the Park Hyatt Kyoto.
All through the property, there are a myriad of hallways and corridors combined inside gorgeous backyard paths that each one easily mix collectively via floor-to-ceiling home windows.
Most of the rocks within the gardens had been truly sourced from the Colorado house of the Pritzker household, the house owners of Hyatt.
Moreover, even the “in-between” moments of our keep, corresponding to ready for the 2 units of elevators en path to our room, left us impressed by the modern and minimalistic décor surrounding us.
The predominant theme of that décor is the position of conventional Japanese touches in up to date settings, corresponding to a bonsai tree standing boldly alone in an in any other case empty entrance house.
Conclusion
The Park Hyatt Kyoto is an excellent property, and one which I’d actually advocate including to your listing of aspirational inns.
Our keep was luxurious from starting to finish, centring round a seemingly fixed view of Yasaka Pagoda via the floor-to-ceiling home windows all through the property, from our humble King Room with View to the sprawling hallways to the intimate Kohaku bar.
My solely gripe could be the surcharge for the Japanese breakfast, even for top-tier Globalist members, which I discovered to be unnecessarily stingy on the lodge’s half.
In any other case, this high-end lodge is nicely price attempting out to expertise Kyoto’s traditional-style Higashiyama district up shut, particularly given its glorious redemption worth on World of Hyatt factors.
