Stay here: Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto

What’s the deal?

Since opening last August, Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto has become the latest addition to the Singapore-based Banyan Group’s 80+ hotels. It’s strategically located in the historical centre of Kyoto, only a seven-minute drive from Gion Shijo Station and a 15-minute drive from Kyoto Station. Nestled on a hill in the historic districts of Gion and Higashiyama, it’s within walking distance of some of the most famous sites Kyoto offers, including the renowned Kiyomizu-dera Temple – part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto Unesco World Heritage Site. 

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s design for the hotel was inspired by Noh theatre, which has roots in Kyoto and dates back to the 14th century. The only hotel in the city with a dedicated Noh stage, guests can experience performances against the backdrop of a tranquil bamboo forest.

It’s also the first international hotel in the area with natural hot springs. The onsen baths are separated by gender, with indoor and outdoor bathing spaces available. If you’re looking for a more private experience, three tiers of rooms include in-room onsens for a restorative wind-down at the end of each day. Fitness enthusiasts may also consider checking into the Wellbeing Sanctuary, which is decked out with yoga mats and exercise bands for private practice.   

The hotel’s Japanese restaurant Ryozen serves seasonal cuisine prepared with local ingredients and time-honoured techniques, offering a variety of delectable bites for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. During my stay, I enjoyed a seven-course, banquet-style Japanese kaiseki dinner and a beautifully presented traditional Japanese breakfast comprising ten small dishes alongside rice, miso soup and steamed soybean custard.

Why stay?

The property feels bright, airy and soothing, mostly on account of the clean lines and light tones of its wooden architecture, which is in perfect harmony with the natural surroundings. A contemporary take on a traditional Japanese timber frame, its criss-crossed beams and elongated eaves allow soft shadows to fall against white washi paper, while the spacious lobby with its chequerboard timber floors and glass windows frame the historic stone wall preserved from the ryokan that once stood on this site. 

The hotel’s thoughtful curation of classic Japanese design with modern touches is evident the moment you step through the grand wooden main gate. My room, the Onsen Retreat Twin, a spacious 55-square-metre sanctuary, is no different.  

The room is divided into three discrete areas. As you enter, there’s a horigotatsu (a table incorporated into a recessed floor) and two zaisu (legless chairs) for chats and snacks. Wooden floors transition into tatami mats, and two pairs of plush cotton slippers mark the border between the public and the private. Beyond the comfortable beds, at the end of the room, there’s a coffee table and sofa from which you can enjoy the room’s courtyard garden views. 

To the right, the open bathroom area – equipped with two sinks, two LED-bordered mirrors and one wall-mounted adjustable mirror – is the ideal place to get ready together. And through the glass doors you’ll find a walk-in shower and a wooden soaking bathtub made of aromatic Hiba cypress. Small organic drawstring bags contain bath salts in a range of scents such as yuzu, green tea and roasted tea for the ultimate pampering session. 

In these calming surroundings, I fall asleep almost immediately, and wake up to light streaming through the shoji screens. If 100 per cent cotton bed linens aren’t enough to help you achieve the best sleep ever, you have the option of further elevating your shuteye by flicking through their pillow menu. 

Cathay editors say… 

“First impressions matter, which is why hand-whisked matcha, freshly prepared upon my late check-in at 11 pm, leaves a lasting impact. Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto’s commitment to Japanese culture, served with a dose of warmth – or in this case, in a rustic ceramic bowl – is immediately apparent. There’s something in the water here, and we’re not just talking about the onsens. Come prepared to get your fill of lush greenery, Vitamin D and full-body relaxation.”