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During our two-week stay in Japan from March to April 2024, we used Booking.com to find and reserve rooms in 3 different hotels across the country. We’ve already featured the hotels in Tokyo and Osaka; here’s where we stayed in Kyoto!
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
One of the primary reasons we chose hotels like Sunroute Plaza and Fraser Residence, is the great location near transportation. It is so important to save time and time on your feet. You can easily walk over 20 miles daily depending on what you want to do and see in Japan.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier is an excellent location in Kyoto, a 2-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Line. Nestled along the Western shore of the Kamogawa River, the hotel offers an exceptional blend of modern comfort and traditional Japanese hospitality. Staying at Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier puts you in the heart of Kyoto, with a plethora of attractions and dining options within easy reach.
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As much as Mark and I wanted to stay in an older and more traditional Japanese Inn like a Ryokan, we decided to skip it on this trip. As we previously learned on our journey to Belize, where we island-hopped and slept on mats on the floor, we knew it wouldn’t be enjoyable for us or our bodies on this trip. So, instead, we tried to find places that had the beautiful and serene Japanese style but were modern, comfortable, and private like most hotels we’re used to. We loved the dark, serene vibes of this hotel.
Check In Process
We traveled from Osaka to Kyoto after checking out from our previous hotel at 11 AM. It was an easy trip to navigate, and we were pleasantly surprised that the hotel was right in front of us when we emerged from the train station. There were even signs in the train station directing us to our hotel, which we hadn’t seen on this trip.
When we arrived in Kyoto, it was only 1 PM, and the standard check-in time is 3 PM. Checking into hotels early in Japan is almost nonexistent, but they will store your luggage and deliver it to your room so you can see and explore while waiting.
The lobby was spacious and beautiful, with plenty of relaxing seating if you wanted to wait for your room to be ready. It also had signage updated daily to let guests know where they had the best chance of seeing Sakura (cherry blossoms), so we decided to check it out. We ventured out, hoping to see one of the most famous reasons people come to Japan in the spring while we waited for check-in.
Spoiler alert – we found them! If you missed that post, you can see my blossom photos here.
We returned to the hotel at three and were promptly checked into room 007. Great room number! All of our luggage was waiting for us, which we loved! I knew I was excited about this hotel when I booked it, and oh man, it lived up to my hopes! It had great reviews and gave us the mix of modern, traditional, and serene vibes we wanted.
Twin Garden Room
We booked a Garden Twin room, which meant we were on the lower level, one floor below the street-level lobby. We loved this location in the hotel because it was a quick elevator that only serviced the lower level and the lobby and no one else, and it was so tranquil.
Pro Tip: Always book rooms with two twin beds in Japan. They are called Twin beds but are more like doubles and fulls in the US. Because there are two beds instead of one, the room floor print is usually more significant than the rooms with even just one king bed. Rooms in Japan are often tiny, so this is such a smart hack!
Room Features
The room was beautiful and had the exact vibe we had hoped for during this portion of the adventure. Cool, calm, comfortable, and convenient. When we planned this trip, we knew we might be completely exhausted at this stage, and I just wanted a room that allowed us to relax if needed.
As soon as you entered the room, you instantly felt at ease. Our room featured two double beds, a mini fridge, and a small bar area with glasses, corkscrew, etc.. It also featured a seating area with tea and coffee amenities, pajamas, slippers, onsen attire and slippers, a big closet, high-tech ambient lighting in the room and garden, a huge soaking tub with a rainfall shower, and a separate water closet. The TV was big but had very few channels in English and could not connect to our streaming services, so it was also an excellent way to unplug for a few days.
We were on the lower level for the garden view; each room had a view of the two-story zen garden rock wall (like in the lobby). The garden area was fully private from the outside world and neighboring rooms yet let in natural light to all the beautiful plants. It had a lovely view from the bathroom, and let me tell you, this room had my dream bathroom!
This modern bathroom was an incredible place to soak all the aches and pains away at the end of each night. Watching the rain fall while sipping champagne will surely be one of my core memories from this vacation.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier boasts a variety of other room types, including views of the Kamogawa River, but we loved the peaceful garden view.
Hotel Features
They also have a modern fitness center, business center, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, laundry services, on-site parking available, free wifi, and luggage transfer services. This hotel required us to drop off our luggage earlier than any other hotel to have it transferred to the next hotel, so always ask about it when you check-in. We basically went to our room, readjusted our bags, and took them right back to the front desk to be sent to our finale location – Disneyland!
Onsen
A highlight of the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier is its traditional Japanese public bath or onsen, a traditional Japanese hot spring bath. The hotel also offers massage services. After a day of exploring the historic streets of Kyoto, there’s nothing quite like unwinding in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the onsen. The bath’s serene ambiance and rejuvenating properties make it a perfect way to relax and recharge.
Suikyo Restaurant
The hotel also features an on-site restaurant called Suikyo, which offers a delicious array of Japanese and Western dishes for breakfast. You know we had to try the breakfast buffet, and it did not disappoint! The restaurant is designed with a modern aesthetic that blends seamlessly with traditional Japanese elements. Large windows offer picturesque views of the Kamo River, enhancing the dining experience with a serene and beautiful backdrop. At the time of our stay, they were only offering breakfast and limited lunch with no dinner options or bar hours.
Things to do Nearby
Nijo Castle
Distance: About 1.5 km from the hotel
This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s feudal history. Explore the beautiful gardens and the Ninomaru Palace with its stunning interiors.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Distance: Approximately 2 km away
The former residence of the Imperial family, this palace is surrounded by large, scenic gardens perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Pontocho Alley
Distance: Less than 1 km from the hotel
A narrow, atmospheric street running parallel to the Kamo River, Pontocho is famous for its traditional tea houses and vibrant nightlife. It’s a great place to experience Kyoto’s unique blend of old and new.
Gion District
Distance: About 1.5 km from the hotel
Known as the Geisha district, Gion is famous for its traditional wooden machiya houses and tea houses. You might even spot a Geisha or Maiko on their way to an appointment.
Nishiki Market
Distance: Approximately 1 km away
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a lively marketplace filled with vendors selling fresh produce, street food, and traditional Kyoto delicacies.
Yasaka Shrine
Distance: Around 2 km from the hotel
This vibrant shrine is located at the end of Shijo Avenue and is a central site for many local festivals, including the famous Gion Matsuri.
Great Location
We loved this convenient location; it was such a cool area. With so many attractions, shopping, and dining options near Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier, you’ll have plenty to see and taste during your stay. Whether you’re exploring historic sites, wandering through vibrant markets, or indulging in local cuisine, you’ll find that this hotel offers the perfect home base for your Kyoto adventures.
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I think I would have wanted to spend a whole day in that tub, soaking and relaxing with that beautiful view.
You will never look back and have regrets if you keep traveling🥰