First look: Inside the new Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto

One of the best parts of travel is staying in incredible hotels full of personality, local charm and a true sense of place. In Japan, Banyan Group, in partnership with Accor, just opened the Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, a stunning and luxurious hotel with all those qualities — and then some.

TPG had the opportunity to stop in for a quick tour of the new resort just days after its opening in the Higashiyama district, a beautiful and historic area. There, people in rented kimonos walk along picturesque streets and past historic temples, like Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Though I doubt ancient geishas were seen carrying coffee from Starbucks, even if the local one does have a tatami mat floor.)

The first Banyan Tree in Japan, this property was meticulously redeveloped on the site of the former Hotel Ryozen to bring it up to the brand's distinct standards while still paying tribute to the unique elements that made the site so precious, like the Higashiyama Onsen hot spring.

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is composed of 52 guest rooms, including eight that pull water directly from the hot springs. The rooms are designed around a Japanese phrase that means "hidden beauty revealed" and feature traditional Japanese elements like cypress wood bathtubs, tatami mats and, in some rooms, traditional sunken Japanese tables called horigotatsu.

Guests and visitors at the hotel will find a beautiful Noh stage where the art of Nohgaku has been performed for around 650 years. At the hotel, the traditional Nohgaku shows centered around gods and ghosts are combined with new-age art, musical events and other types of performances that require a stage.

If you find yourself there, head off past the stage to the bamboo grove, which feels almost like a private trip to the nearby Arashiyama Bamboo Forest — but without the crowds. It's one of the three gardens on the property that guests can visit for special relaxation events like yoga classes.

Banyan Tree is famous for its wellness offerings and relaxing spas, so it's no surprise that Higashiyama Kyoto has a spa with six treatment rooms, each with a tub that uses water from the hot springs (though I'd personally splurge for one of the onsen rooms so you essentially have a private spa right in your bedroom).

Dining options at the hotel include a Japanese restaurant offering seasonal meals full of Kyoto's famed produce, plus a sake bar.

In a city full of unique hotels — from the Six Senses Kyoto, which opened earlier this year, to luxury brands like Aman, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton — Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto offers a very special experience against the backdrop of one of the most interesting cities in the world. This new hotel is a fabulous addition to an already exciting hotel scene.

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While Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is part of Accor Live Limitless, this loyalty program operates a little differently from most. Instead of booking award nights with a set number of points, members can trade in 2,000 points for 40 euros (about $44) off their stay.

Rates at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto start at $1,365 per night and include breakfast and one dinner.

Related reading:

• Park Hyatt Kyoto is one of the best Park Hyatts in the world
• The best hotels in Tokyo for your next Japan getaway
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto: Polished service redeems its so-so location