The Hyatt Regency Kyoto isn’t here to play but it isn’t all business either. As the first-ever Western luxury hotel to pop up in the historical city, it brings a certain charm with its remarkable blend of two distinct cultures, lifestyles, and design languages. Though the brand is a global chain with stature amongst both business and leisure travellers, the 187-room Hyatt Regency Kyoto possesses a special warmth and intimacy within its walls. The property itself stands on a historical lot within the Higashiyama Shichijo neighbourhood, right by the Sanjusangendo Temple, that is also home to a pristine Japanese garden that dates back to the reign of Emperor Goshirakawa in the 12th century.
Its most recent renovation called for the expertise of famed design firm SuperPotato, known for their work with Muji and other Hyatt properties. The grand lobby sets the tone for what you can expect during a stay: a world-class time with inflections of personality and colour. Over the two nights of our stay, we had the chance to really take in the hotel and all that it has to offer. Genuine, gracious staff; elegant Maiko performances; refined restaurants; and more, we got to experience it from start to finish and we tell you all about it below.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The first thing you’ll see when driving up to the Hyatt Regency Kyoto is its short driveway surrounded by bamboo that leads to the main lobby’s doors. Through those doors is a busy yet calm lobby that sits beneath a statement-making display of intricate, patterned woodwork. Just as I began to marvel at the sheer expanse of the space, I was guided to the check-in counter, where a smartly-dressed team member awaited. The process took less than five minutes and I was off to our room soon after.
GETTING SITUATED
Its rooms are an antithesis to what you know about light and airy Japanese design. Making use of darker toned fixtures and fabrics, the room had a refined and tastefully moody feel to it. While spacious by sheer size, it was also smartly designed to utilize the area of the room in a way that allowed for comfort and function to coexist. Greeting us when we first entered was a cozy sitting area, complete with a wide-screen TV, couch, and coffee table. Right by it was a work area and behind it, the balcony door that led to our own private patio. Lucky for us, we were treated to the view of the aforementioned Japanese garden, complete with the wall that has stood around it from the time of its construction.
Design and comfort aside, perhaps the most impressive thing about the hotel room was the amount of storage available—ideal for those with a longer stay ahead. We had the luxury of choosing between the large dresser—which also doubled as our mini pantry—and the walk-in closet to store our clothes. And in true Japanese fashion, the WC itself was separated from the bath area, and yes, it did have one of the iconic technologically advanced toilet bowls. Just a few steps away, the expansive bathroom housed a double vanity as well as our very own wooden bathtub for the post-shopping soaks and a standing shower area.
The room was very much well-equipped for a stay of any length and a traveller of any purpose. The business-focused guest would find great use in the room’s large desk and multiple plug points, while the leisure-minded visitor would appreciate the large floor space, perfect for laying out suitcases and shopping. During my stay, there was nothing quite like starting my day by heading to the balcony to take in the crisp air of the early Kyoto winter. Ending my night in the Hyatt Regency Kyoto was also a treat, being able to draw a steaming bath to soothe my much-utilised feet and rapidly-aging back.
A NIGHT WITH TRATTORIA SETTE
Nowadays, most hotels boast their own lineup of restaurants and all-day dining spaces. However, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto’s eateries stand in a class of their own. On one of my two nights here, I spent one of my dinnertimes at Trattoria Sette, the hotel’s signature Italian restaurant. It would be easy to write off a hotel’s Italian restaurant…if you were staying anywhere else that is. Here, the restaurant is frequented by both guests and locals, known for its homey yet upscale cooking. A well-oiled team mans the kitchen, churning out plates of freshly made pasta, hearty soups, and other Italian dishes of both the world-famous and lesser-known sort.
The menu for the night spanned five-courses, starting with my favourite antipasto of all time: a classic burrata caprese, complete with a silky balsamic glaze and tomatoes. For our soup course, I was served a cacciucco zuppa, a soulful tomato-based concoction of seafood. As someone with a penchant for squid, prawns, and everything in between, this was the perfect prelude to the upcoming carb and protein courses.
A plate of the restaurant’s signature classic tagliolini then arrived, glistening with a well-emulsified black truffle, marsala, and Grana Padano sauce. Topped with bite-sized chunks of Wagyu beef, the dish was the stuff of dreams. I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical about the addition of meat atop the pasta, but my reservations were quickly diminished upon first bite. A stickler for making sure my noodles are cooked to al dente perfection, I wasn’t let down by these uniform strands of tagliolini, all sufficiently dressed in the sauce.
For the fourth course, we were back at sea with a roasted sea bass, served with a delightfully light Sardinian fregola broth and a heaping of fresh clams. At this point, my appetite and I were ready to call it a night but a singular whiff of the broth was enough to awaken my senses. I dunked each bite into the broth, using the fish to soak up every last bit of the sweetness.
The final course was a flaky apple pie, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In my opinion, the dessert was deserving of the ultimate compliment: “not too sweet”. As a whole, the meal was the perfect solution to my Japanese-Italian food cravings. Each dish was well-balanced and not overly sophisticated, making the overall experience easy to enjoy.
MORE FOR THE GOURMANDS
If Trattoria Sette’s standards are anything to go by, you can rest assured that any meal you have at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto will make sure you’re well taken care of. We started our mornings with breakfast at Café 33, where a curated spread of staples of both Japanese and Western influences. Being a Japanese breakfast loyalist, I beelined for the steamed rice, pickles, and grilled salmon each time I was there. If I had a larger morning appetite, I would’ve definitely made room for the croissants and egg station, which seemed to be a hit with other guests.
On the lower ground floor of the hotel, you’ll find the resident Japanese restaurant, Touzan. The restaurant is known for their expertly prepared kaiseki course meals that follow the flow of the seasons. Its interiors take inspiration from the iconic machi-yas (old inns) of the city, keeping things simple yet tasteful. Also available at the restaurant are a la carte dishes as well as omakase experiences (only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays).
Accessible through the restaurant is Touzan Bar. True to SuperPotato’s design language, the interiors here were equal parts funky and intentional. We spotted glass shelves in both the restaurant and bar lined with repurposed, centuries-old relics like door locks and roof beams. The walls in a private room were reinforced by old books stacked so tightly that not even a speck of dust could get between the pages. Meanwhile, the walls of the main sitting area were covered in the gears and springs from old trains. I mean it when I say that every corner in this bar had a surprise for patrons to discover. Of course, make sure to sample its extensive sake, signature cocktails, and local beer selection.
MY VERDICT
The Hyatt Regency Kyoto stands as proof that not all global, large-scale hotels are stale and lack character. In a city as charming as Kyoto, the hotel is simply an extension of the culture and personality here. Needless to say, it does so in a way that doesn’t make it feel too dated. Take the free maiko performances for example. With the new (and warranted) restrictions on geisha and maiko-spotting in Kyoto, the hotel has made it easier for guests to experience this one-of-a-kind performance, while also making it safer for the performers to appear in front of visitors. With that, free up some time on your Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday evenings here to get a glimpse of this moving experience.
As for its location, there are zero complaints in this department. The Sanjusangendo Temple is practically at your doorstep and the surrounding neighbourhood is peaceful. Meanwhile, the bustling shopping district is just an easy 15-minute walk from the hotel, while the nearest subway station is six minutes away by foot. Not to mention, you have not one, but two (or three) konbini stores a mere stone’s throw away from the hotel’s main entrance for all your late night snacking needs. All in all, we can confirm that a stay at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto will do your trip justice. From its stately rooms and reliable dining outlets to its prime location and gorgeous decor, there is not much to dislike about the property at all.
HYATT REGENCY KYOTO
Address: 644-2 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0941, Japan
Contact: +81 75-541 1234
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