Accessible by boat, this tranquil hotel offers posh dining & a floating tearoom.
11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0007, Japan Get directions
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"The Hoshinoya, Kyoto, a hybrid ryokan-hotel, is made up of a series of low buildings inspired by traditional Japanese houses that cling to the banks above the Hozugawa River in the temple-rich Arashiyama district, and is accessible only by a lazy boat ride in a hinoki (Japanese cedar) vessel. Its 25 elegant rooms are also redolent of cedar, and although they don’t have TVs, they do have heated wooden floors, hand-blocked wallpaper, shoji-inspired sliding glass doors, and picture windows (all the better to lean out and watch the foxes, deer, and occasional monkey that prance through the forest), deep cedar soaking tubs, and lofty duvets that sigh when you flop down on them. From the iron lanterns that light the moss-traced stone walkways to the lashed bamboo fences, every detail has been well-considered. In lieu of a bar, there’s a library, refreshed throughout the day with complimentary snacks by the gracious staff (who speak excellent English). As in a traditional ryokan, there are some restrictions—the boat back to the docks runs only from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.—but Hoshinoya is a retreat not only from town but from modernity. At night, after you’ve eaten an excellent Japanese or French meal and changed into the provided lounging clothes (complete with raw-silk robes), you can sit in the Zen rock garden, look up at the star-smeared sky, and forget what century you’re in." - Danielle Demetriou
"The journey is part of the experience at HoshinoyaKyoto, where a charming wooden boat ferries guests to the hotel’s scenic perch on the banks of the Oi River. Here, tucked away in a grove of old cypress, maple, and cherry trees, the Hoshinoya offers a respite from urban life. Rooms feature traditional ryokan elements, like onsen-style cedar baths and picture windows overlooking the misty forest outside, and the restaurant serves nine-course, kaiseki -style dinners. A few free activities, including morning stretching sessions and tea ceremonies, contribute to the hotel’s Zen-like atmosphere. Guests can also take ikebana lessons, rent kimonos, and book meditation trips to the nearby temple."
"The Hoshinoya hotels — part ryokan, part luxury hotel — are all similar in their basic concept. But while the monumental Hoshinoya Tokyo stands in a skyscraper in the heart of the capital, Hoshinoya Kyoto could hardly be more different. It’s small, a mere 25 rooms, distributed among a collection of low-profile buildings. And despite its name, it’s set not in Kyoto proper, but a 15-minute ride up the river in a traditional wooden boat." - Tablet Hotels
"A 25-room luxury ryokan tucked into the Arashiyama bamboo forest that delivers a calm riverside arrival by boat, individually distinct rooms and a contemporary take on traditional Japanese design; the retreat balances modern comfort with local cultural references such as tea rooms and zen gardens." - Kissa Castañeda
"A contemporary, resort-like riff on the traditional ryokan, this uber-luxe retreat in a tranquil corner of the bustling Arashiyama district is one of those places you stay when you want your accommodation to be much more than a sightseeing base. A stay here is experiential, from the short boat trip upriver from Arashiyama for check-in to cultural activities like incense appreciation and capping an evening with an artistically presented kaiseki-ryori dinner. The spacious guestrooms are something to savour – a sleek blend of modern and traditional Japanese luxury. If there’s a drawback, it’s location. Arashiyama is great to explore for a couple of days, but then it’s a bit of a drag getting to other parts of Kyoto. It’s best to splurge here for a night or two, then relocate. " - Rob Goss
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