Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Occupying a largely unremarkable brick building on a main Kyoto thoroughfare, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto reveals more style once guests step inside. Throughout, this Hyatt takes style cues from traditional, minimalistic Japanese design with clean lines, light-wood accents, modern lantern-style lighting, and square furniture. Several common areas in the hotel also sport more eclectic touches. For example, the lobby features decorative white-lattice walls in a sophisticated melange of patterns as well as a circular staircase. The on-site bar exhibits moodier decor, with dark lighting and a distinctive wall constructed entirely of stacked books. Large windows offer views of a Japanese style garden which varies from lush greenery with charming mossy steps and a small koi pond to a traditional Zen rock garden.

Located in historic Higashiyama Shichijo in Kyoto, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto has transportation to most of Kyoto’s major attractions. A bus stop directly across the street from the hotel will get travelers to Kyoto Station in less than 15 minutes (it takes seven by car or taxi), and the Schichijo Station on the Kihan Main Line is a seven-minute walk away. The Kyoto National Museum is directly across the street from the hotel, while several shrines and temples are in easy walking distance -- one of Kyoto's main attractions, the Kiyomizu-dera temple is 20-minutes away on foot. The hotel is 45 minutes from Osaka International Airport by car, an hour and a half to two hours to Kansai International Airport by train, and two and a half to three hours to Tokyo Station by bullet train. 

Taking style cues from traditional Japanese design, rooms at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto are sleek, modern, and perhaps even more minimalistic than the common spaces. Guest rooms have textured white carpeting and light-wood wall paneling that matches the square nightstands and platform beds, which guests say are comfortable and are covered with fresh white sheets. Behind the beds, beautiful kimono-style fabric panels add just a touch of color, while a few lantern-like lamps through the rooms create a calming glow. All rooms come with small work desks and chairs, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and satellite channels, stocked minibars, tea kettles, windows that open to the outside, in-room safes, and adjustable air-conditioning. 

Bathrooms are spacious with granite floors and raised farmhouse sinks. A sliding wood doors separates the toilet from the rest of the bathroom (the stall also has its own phone). A generously sized wet-room-style shower is also separately enclosed behind a large glass door. And the wet-room includes a separate bathtub. Guests are given a range of toiletries such as toothbrushes, combs, and Pharmacopeia bath products, plus bathrobes and hairdryers. 

The Hyatt Regency Kyoto offers a range of upscale, on-site amenities, and many guests rave about the staffs' impeccable service. The RIRAKU Spa and Fitness Center offers yoga and stretching classes (for an extra fee) along with Japanese acupuncture, shiatsu massage, and other wellness and spa treatments that combine Western and Eastern stress-relief and beauty methods. The fitness center occupies a windowless room with white walls, ample mirrors, and light wood flooring. It offers several kinds of weight machines, plus ellipticals, treadmills, yoga mats, and free weights. There are 10 spa rooms with massage tables; two also have whirlpools. 

The Hyatt Regency Kyoto also features several on-site restaurants which guests find tasty and satisfying, though somewhat pricy. The casual but stylish Trattoria Sette has rustic wood paneling and offers Italian dishes and pizza, while an attached Pastry boutique has fresh baked bread and sweets, which can be taken to go or eaten in the restaurant. The Grill is attached to the lobby and offers seafood and meat, while The Grill Lounge and Terrace has outdoor seating and offers coffee and snacks. The Touzan has a chic, moody atmosphere with dark lighting and eclectic accents, and serves a range of drinks including sake and draft beers. The Toucan, which offers traditional Japanese food, is designed in the style of a classic Kyoto home with long wood tables, wood chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the Japanese garden. The hotel also runs The Muses, a cafe restaurant in the Kyoto National Museum right across the street. 

Business travelers can use audio-visual equipment and video monitors and also have access to scanning, photocopying, and faxing services. There are several chic meeting and conference rooms and a ballroom that holds up to 530 people for conferences or weddings. For the later, the hotel also has a small, on-site chapel.

Families can take advantage of babysitting services (with advanced notice), a parking garage, laundry and dry cleaning services, and 24-hour Concierge service and 24-hour in-room dining. A lobby shop offers traditional Japanese souvenirs along with items travelers may need.