Sammy B.
Yelp
I love this hotel. That's it.
No, just kidding. Such few words would do little justice to how wonderful this place is. At the same time, I don't want to be too breathy so let me contextualize this hotel with as much brevity as I can.
From the moment you walk into the hotel you get a Japandi architectural style filling every crevice of the space. Large bamboo and ceramic tiles encapsulate the exterior of this well designed hotel. Intricate lattice style patterns comprise the ceilings and when the clock strikes 7 PM the lights dim and the hotel feels more intimate. There is a floral piece which changes every week right next to the elevator so if you visit over several weeks you can the pleasure to see the changes.
The staff are uniquely kind and speak in multiple languages. The hospitality is exceptional but that is expected by now in Japan. Checking in is easy and if you need any assistance they are more than willing to help.
When you walk into your room you will be pleasantly surprised how large it is. The bathroom is broken down into three sections: the sink with chair, large basin, and multiple bottles of water replenished even day when the room is serviced. The toilet which is a full bidet. Finally, the tub and shower with large space to accommodate multiple people if a family or couple needed to shower/bathe all together.
The room itself contains a large flat screen TV, a Nespresso machine fully operational and free to use, a mini fridge, space on the side for a desk integrated with the other items described, a sprawling headboard area decorated with authentic kimono fabrics, and a large bed you will absolutely love lying on. It is comfortable and a place you can easily fall asleep in after a long day out.
One of the reviews I read for this place stated it was missing amenities such as a fitness center but this hotel absolutely has a fitness center and it is a great one. It is clean, has lots of machines, and although it might be confusing at first to get to since there's a certain path to get there it absolutely has a fitness center worth visiting for our gym heads. Another complaint I saw was this place has no restaurants nearby and I don't think this person looked close enough because there are lots of places nearby. If you go down the hill you'll encounter within 5 minutes of walking CoCo Ichibanya for curry, a restaurant that is also a microbrewery for gin, a hole-in-the-wall ramen shop, multiple Family Marts, a dango shop, two cafes, a steak restaurant, a hibachi style BBQ, and McDonald's. This is all before you cross the bridge. This hotel is only about 13 minutes walking distance from Kyoto Train Station and in that area there is an abundance of restaurants. Even within the hotel their Italian restaurant is superb (though a bit pricey) and Cafe 33 is an excellent choice for lunch or drinks.
Overall, Hyatt Regency is a hotel that integrates the stylings of Japan's natural beauty along with the hospitality so renowned in their culture in a modern setting and at a good distance from the noise and bustle of city life. I would highly recommend staying in this location in Kyoto if you're looking for a mid to high end hotel experience.