Hot Springs Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

We stayed here for a family trip over Children's Day in May. Banyan Tree is such a renowned brand even in Korea, so I had high expectations when I booked our stay. However, we were hoping for a mountain view, but instead, we got a cemetery view – and on a dark, rainy night, it was quite enough to give us nightmares. If you're looking for a relaxing experience, like soaking in a Japanese cypress (hinoki) bathtub, you'll be satisfied, but I have to say the view was extremely disappointing. On the positive side, the Japanese tatami room vibe was very pleasing, and the aroma oil program at the spa was really interesting.

From arrival to departure, my stay was seamless. The check-in process was efficiently managed, with the front desk staff displaying warm hospitality, polished professionalism, and impeccable attention to detail. Every interaction with the team reflected a genuine commitment to delivering high-standard service. The accommodation was outstanding. The room was immaculately maintained, offering a refined design, excellent acoustic isolation, and modern amenities that catered perfectly to both relaxation and productivity. The bed provided superior comfort, ensuring a restful night's sleep, while the housekeeping staff maintained flawless cleanliness throughout my stay.

This is a very Japanese-style hotel, with the onsen (hot spring) being a major highlight. The water quality is excellent, and the facilities are complete. They really go above and beyond with the amenities, offering Japanese sweets and mini ice creams, and even ramen in the evenings. The common areas on each floor are very elegantly designed, and there are massage chairs tucked away around the corner for post-onsen relaxation.

This is a hot spring hotel, and hotels in Kyoto are generally quite expensive. However, this hot spring hotel wasn't significantly pricier than others, so it felt like a pretty good deal. All the hot spring rooms are traditional tatami style. Downstairs, there are several hot spring baths to choose from. They also offer ramen and all-you-can-drink after 10 PM, as well as a buffet breakfast the next morning. After a bath, there are automatic massage chairs in the hallway. I used them several times. It felt like I got a full massage after my bath, saving me the cost of a separate massage. I felt completely rejuvenated!

The buffet was quite crowded, offering a wide variety of food. The coin-operated laundry machines and smoking area were well-equipped. The room amenities included everything except a razor. You can wear yukata and slippers throughout the hotel, and there's a great drink bar available in the evening.

This hotel was the highlight of our Japan trip. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the facilities were extensive and well-maintained. The lobby is on the 9th floor, as is the free onsen, which also offers complimentary drinks. Plus, every day from 4 PM to 6:30 PM, you can get a free drink at the top-floor bar, which boasts amazing views. Our room wasn't huge, but it was fully equipped and very clean. I was particularly impressed by a male staff member at the front desk and a female staff member at the top-floor bar – they were both incredibly nice. If I ever visit Kyoto again, I will definitely choose this hotel.

The only minor issue was getting a room with a really bad view due to traveling with a baby, which was a bit disappointing. Other than that, everything was perfect! Every room has its own hot spring, and they even provided medicinal wine for the bath. Plus, there were daily snacks delivered to the room. The absolute highlight, though, was how incredibly delicious the hotel food was.

This Japanese-style guesthouse is very authentic. It has an open-air hot spring bath and the meals feature a delicious miso hot pot with plenty of vegetables. We visited during cherry blossom season, so it was crowded, but the customer service team was very helpful and actively assisted us in finding a better room type, which we really appreciated! It's surrounded by forest, and we heard that in autumn and winter, there are bear families around, but the owner seems quite used to it!

Our recent stay at Ujo Soan was, without exaggeration, the finest hospitality experience I have encountered in my 20 years of traveling across Japan. From the moment we arrived, the level of service was nothing short of superb. There are three highlights that made our stay truly unforgettable: 1. Exceptional Culinary Surprise: We were deeply touched by the hotel's generosity in providing a complimentary upgrade to the prestigious ”Tsuiyama Blue Label Crab” set. The quality of the crab and the meticulous preparation were world-class—a true gastronomic journey. 2. Breathtaking Sunset Views: Spending time at the Lounge ”AO” on the 8th floor of Bettei Fuka was a spiritual experience. Watching the sunset over the Kyotango coastline with a drink in hand is a memory we will cherish forever. 3. Outstanding Service (Sakura-san): A special mention must go to Sakura-san. Her professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail were exemplary. She anticipated our every need and represents the very best of Japanese Omotenashi. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Yasuhiko Okita and the General Manager, Mr. Nakanishi, for maintaining such an incredible standard of excellence. If you are looking for a sanctuary that combines luxury, nature, and heartfelt service, Ujo Soan is the only choice. We cannot wait to return.

We took a taxi to this location because it was a little too far by bus, and we had all of our luggage with us. The location is beautiful. If you're only staying for one night like we did, then you should check in at the earliest (3:00 pm) so you can explore the local area. There are some really nice shrines nearby. We were only able to do this after breakfast the next morning. We also had to be out by 10:00 am, which surprised us because it was listed as 11:00 am on Trip.com. You will be served traditional Japanese cuisine for dinner and breakfast. They do an excellent job of presenting all of the dishes, and the service is also incredible. But if you're not used to eating raw fish, or traditional Japanese cuisine in general, you should definitely bring your own snacks to eat in your room! We stayed in the Garden view room with tatami mats. The staff will actually rearrange the room for you during dinner and set up your beds if you select this room. That was a very nice touch, so make sure you don't leave your room a total mess before dinner! I have added a picture of the beds after they were set up. The garden view was well worth the money we spent for it. Very relaxing and beautiful. And surprisingly enough...the tatami beds were super comfortable and warm!