After mydisastrous stay at the Westin Miyako in Kyoto I could not leave such a beautiful city on a negative impression. So I opted for the Suiran to end my stay. This hotel had already been the subject of an article by Olivierlast year but when the property deserves it, we have nothing against talking about it again, especially since it is the opportunity to discover a different room.
Booking
Suiran is a new hotel belonging to the Luxury Collection. In other words, a chain with a reputation for being expensive in a country where hotels are anything but cheap made me expect the worst in terms of rates. And I was not disappointed: almost 700 euros for a standard room. Or 30,000 starpoints, the “currency” of the loyalty program. It is not always profitable to buy a night’s stay with your points, but strangely enough, as much as the hotel was expensive in normal currency, it was cheap in points (a Luxury Collection often costs more than the double of this in points). So finally a good deal and only my Starpoints account will suffer modestly from the operation instead of my bank account which will be saved.
A haven of peace away from the city
The hotel is located in the Arashyama district, near many temples, the bamboo grove, on the banks of a river and close to a pleasant shopping street where tourists in search of a restaurant are crowded. It’ s a half hour by cab from the city center andit feels more like being in a small village than being in Kyoto.
When I arrived at the hotel at the end of the morning, no room was available. I will visit some temples before checking in at the beginning of the afternoon.
On my return I cross the small court that protects the door of the hotel to go in the main building where the restaurant and the reception are.
The reception is perfect and the check-in is remarkably smooth and fast. In the meantime, my standard room “Moderate” has been transformed into a “Yuzunhoa Deluxe”. A few more square meters and an outdoor bathtub on the terrace fed by the hot springs of Arashiyama.
Yuzunhoa Deluxe Room: luxury and tradition
I leave the main building to take possession of my room.
Located on the first floor, it can be accessed directly from the patio.
A mix of modernity and Japanese tradition, the room is vast and sleek.
The only negative point is that the place is not really designed to work: the height of the seat and the absence of an electrical outlet near the table are a real drawback.
The marble bathroom has a walk-in shower.
As always in Japan, each time you change hotels, you have to familiarize yourself with the instructions for using the toilets.
The room opens onto an outdoor terrace where you can find the outdoor bathtub fed by the local hot springs.It can be accessed from the room or from the bathroom.
The whole really gives an impression of calm and serenity. Ah yes…this is the land of “Zen”.
And the traditional video to finish.
Needless to say, the bedding was of great quality and I spent two very pleasant nights there.
A high-end catering service
The hotel does not have a lounge,but all guests are invited to drink champagne at the hotel bar every evening as an aperitif.
Inside or outside on a pleasant terrace overlooking the river.
The hotel also has a rather gastronomic restaurant. As much to say that considering the prices of the menu we will prefer to go out and find “normal” restaurants in some vicinity. But since the room didn’t cost me anything, I took the opportunity to treat myself, especially with the tasting menu.
A real treat.
The hotel also has a spa that I did not try butdoes not have a fitness room.
Conclusion: the promise is high but kept
Nothing to do with the neighboring Westin of sinister memory. Suiran makes a high promise and keeps it. Absolutely no flaw in the product or in the service.
Then I’ll be honest: since the room didn’t cost me anything, it’s not difficult to praise the charms of the Suiran. If I had paid the “normal” price for the room I would say “it’s expensive but you get what you pay for”. The service is as good as the rate is high and it would be enough if it was a little less good for me to say that it is not worth it.
However, I regret the absence of a gym. At this price level there are basics that the guest expects to find.
Ratings:
Room: spacious, sober, nothing to complain about except the desk which is really not made for working. 9
Restaurant/bar: bar not tried, perfect restaurant and champagne offered to all customers at the aperitif. 10
Check-in / check-out:smooth, done sitting down and not standing at the counter. 10
Application of the loyalty program:the hotel was full so I was indeed upgraded to the best room available. The rest of the benefits were delivered and the customer recognition was real.
Facilities: I did not test the spa but the absence of a fitness room is of course detrimental. 7,5.
Experience for money. Considering the price paid I would say 10. If I had paid the normal price I might say 8: you get what you pay for, less would not be acceptable but one can always do better.
Service and attention: the epitome of Japanese service: discreet, meticulous, attentive and efficient. 10
Hotel: ideal location for some temples, less for others. Otherwise it is new, zen and sober design and very pleasant setting. 9.
The photo album is available here.
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