Guests will enjoy a memorable experience at Suiran, which provides top-class facilities and services along with convenient access to world heritage sites, historical buildings, and the scenic natural landscape of Arashiyama.

Without a doubt, location is the main draw of Suiran Hotel. It's not every day you get to gaze upon unblocked views of the stunningly jade-colored Hozu River and Arashiyama in their full glory, after all.

This view is even prettier during spring when the sakura start blooming. Go to Saryō Hassui, a tea room that's in Hasshōken, a recently renovated building with more than 100 years of history, and you'll be able to sit on its terrace and watch the Hozu River flow by in front of Arashiyama through the seasons.

Guests of Suiran will also enjoy a free flow of champagne here during the evening. Dinner is served at Kyō Suiran, a restaurant dishing out interesting fusion food based on French cuisine aesthetics, but presented kaiseki (Japanese multi-course meal) style. Yet another exciting experience you won't be having anywhere else!

How about an outdoor Arashiyama hot spring right inside your room?
Rooms at Suiran have a modern theme, but traces of traditional Japanese designs are still present throughout. Of the 39 rooms available for booking, 17 come with an attached outdoor bath area, so that guests can relax with a nice, long soak in complete privacy if they so desire.

For the convenience of non-Japanese guests, there is always an English-speaking staff on hand. Information pamphlets are available in English and Simplified Chinese, and guests will have access to free wi-fi on hotel premises.

Tenryū-ji, a popular sakura viewing spot, is right next door!

Most of the well-known sakura viewing spots in Arashiyama are within walking distance from Suiran. Still, we'd like to put a special spotlight on the one in Tenryū-ji. This historic temple is included among the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Inside, you'll find Sōgenchi Garden, the first place of interest designated as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Behind the garden is Tahōden, a hall surrounded by the graceful drooping branches of Somei-Yoshino sakura.

Climb up Bōkyō Hill for one of the best panoramic views of all the sakura at once if you can! Since Tenryū-ji is a quick two-minute walk from Suiran Hotel, simply staying at the hotel puts you at a distinct advantage in terms of accessibility in comparison with other aspiring sakura seekers!

<@Covid-19 Countermeasures|@>
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of front desk and facilities / Sanitizer installed in lobby, restaurants, and in front of elevators / Front desk procedures shortened / Disinfected after each guest leaves / Ventilation measures in place / Staff wear face shields/masks, wash hands, disinfect, gargle, and take their temperature / Guests who feel unwell are refrained from staying at the hotel / Masks required/temperature check enforced / Restrictions on room service (entry) for staff

HOSHINOYA Kyoto is a luxury resort situated along the famous Ōi River, which is downstream of the Hozu River behind Arashiyama. The buildings here were constructed more than 100 years ago but have been freshened up through recent renovations.

One of the main attractions of HOSHINOYA Kyoto is in its approach. There's a guests-only cruise boat that takes you there, and since the ride is about 10 minutes, you're treated to a unique view of the seasonal sights and sounds in the vicinity from atop the river along the way. Not many hotels in Kyoto are equipped to give guests such a special welcome!

All 25 rooms of HOSHINOYA Kyoto have windows designed to look like picture frames with great views of the river outside. Guests are guaranteed an eyeful of sakura and ancient trees every time they glance out of the window.

For the convenience of non-Japanese guests, there is always English-speaking staff on hand. Information pamphlets are available in English and Simplified Chinese, and guests will have access to free wi-fi on hotel premises.

Rest in exquisite opulence at the hotel's Floating Tea Room that juts out over a section of the river

If you have your sights set on Arashiyama, then look no farther than the hotel's Floating Tea Room, which features a terrace space protruding out over the section of the Ōi River that flows in front of the hotel. From here, all of Arashiyama's scenery is available for your leisure viewing.

During spring, the terrace is so close to the sakura that you could almost touch them with an outstretched hand. When night falls, the area is lit up with dreamy illuminations.

Your dietary needs are in good hands here. Mr. Kubota Ichirō is in charge of the food in the hotel, and his illustrious career includes serving as the grand chef in a British restaurant, as well as having worked at a 3-star restaurant specializing in Kyoto kaiseki course meals. The kaiseki served here has roots in French haute cuisine, making it both traditional and international at the same time.

Admire the sakura around Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge at leisure

HOSHINOYA Kyoto's boat jetty is right within the neighborhood of Arashiyama, where beautiful spring sakura and wistful autumn maple leaves have been a regular feature since historic eras. The view here is so majestic that royalty and aristocrats have been known to frequent the area to enjoy it.

When the sakura season is in full swing, the entire mountain is painted over with a pastel pink hue, which, when combined with the sakura tree avenue along the riverbank, makes for a massively breathtakingly sight indeed.

<@Covid-19 Countermeasures|@>
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of front desk and facilities / Sanitizer installed in lobby, restaurants, and in front of elevators / Front desk procedures shortened / Installation of partitions/plastic sheets on the front desk / Disinfected after each guest leaves / Ventilation measures in place / Staff wear face shields/masks, wash hands, disinfect, gargle, and take their temperature / Humidifier and disinfectant installed in all guest rooms / Guests who feel unwell are refrained from staying at the hotel / Masks required/temperature check enforced / Restrictions on room service (entry) for staff

In 2021, Kyoto Hotel Okura celebrated its 133rd anniversary, having housed countless guests from near and far since its establishment in 1888. This means it's the oldest hotel in Kyoto!

Located right smack in Kawaramachi-Oike, in the middle of Kyoto City, Kyoto Hotel Okura is very conveniently located within walking distance of popular tourist destinations such as Kamo River, Kyoto Gyōen National Garden, and food street Bontochō.

Inside Kyoto Hotel Okura, you'll find that the decor is a very pleasing mix of Japanese and European motifs. Service is top-notch, with staff standing at the ready to provide you with that famous Japanese hospitality!

For the convenience of non-Japanese guests, there is always an English-speaking staff on hand. Information pamphlets are available in English and Simplified Chinese, and guests will have access to free wi-fi on hotel premises.

Foreign visitors to the hotel have glowing praise for the experience. One said, "Staff at the concierge can speak English and are always trying to see how they can help me." Another said, "I stayed for three days. I'm very impressed with the professional service provided by the staff here. Breakfast is delicious too. You can catch a fantastic view of the streets below from the room window. I'm especially grateful to the staff at the teppanyaki (grilled food) restaurant Tokiwa and Chippendale bar, for all the delicious dinners I've been served!"

The 321 guestrooms of the hotel come in a variety of types. Choose from executive suites, family rooms, twin rooms, double rooms, or single rooms, just to name a few. All rooms are located on the 7th floor or higher, so that guests will always be able to relax in full view of the Higashiyama District's natural scenery in the distance or the quaint beauty of the ancient city of Kyoto below.

See the sprawling city of Kyoto from 60 meters (about 197 feet) above ground

The hotel has one of the best views of Kyoto city, especially from its penthouse suite or breakfast restaurant, Top Lounge Orizzonte located 60 meters (about 197 feet) above ground.

It's hard to go hungry here as well, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars for your choosing. Pick from French cuisine, Kyoto delicacies, teppanyaki, Chinese food, and more, depending on your mood that day!

Admire sakura of all sorts planted everywhere in Kyoto Gyōen National Garden

The hotel is a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Gyōen National Garden, a sprawling park surrounding the 4-kilometer (about 2.5 miles) long outer perimeter of the Old Imperial Palace in the center of the city. This beautiful garden is home to about 50,000 trees, including plum, sakura, peach, and maple. This ensures that you'll be greeted with fresh new sights here every season!

When strolling along in the garden during spring, you'll encounter many sakura that have historically enjoyed much admiration from the Japanese imperial house. The graceful itozakura will bloom first to herald the imminent arrival of sakura season.

When the flowers are in full bloom, you can also expect to catch sight of the beautiful and majestic Demizu no Shidarezakura and legendary Kurumagaeshizakura, just to name a few!

<@Covid-19 Countermeasures|@>
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of front desk and facilities / Sanitizer installed in lobby, restaurants, and in front of elevators / Front desk procedures shortened / Disinfected after each guest leaves / Ventilation measures in place / Staff wear face shields/masks, wash hands, disinfect, gargle, and take their temperature / Guests who feel unwell are refrained from staying at the hotel / Masks required/temperature check enforced / Restrictions on room service (entry) for staff

Take your time in Kyoto this cherry blossom season and admire the ancient city's beautiful cherry blossoms in leisurely luxury at one of these premium Kyoto hotels. The combination of lovely flowers and exquisite hospitality will be like a soothing balm for both mind and body, leaving you refreshed and ready to face whatever comes next!

*All prices in the article are including tax.
*Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be some changes to usual operating days and hours. Please check the official websites for more information.

Text by: Efeel. English translation by: Huimin Pan.