Hotel lotus gorgeous; make it “booji”, but traditional
During Obon, I found myself staying at two hotels in Kyoto, both tucked away on the same road beyond the city’s bustle. One hotel instantly captured my imagination with its striking walkway of tori gates, echoing the spirit of the nearby Inari Shrine. That single image drew me in, and as I dug deeper, the hotel revealed even more surprises: a moving Buddha statue towering above, oversized turtle statues, rooms inspired by the sea, a pool, and even a life-sized horse greeting guests in the lobby. Entranced, I booked my room tier and left it up to fate which of the six unique spaces on that tier that I would call my own.
Let’s dive into what made this stay so memorable. The location, admittedly, is its biggest drawback. Reaching the hotel means a fifteen-minute walk from the nearest station, and another fifteen if you’re heading to Kyoto station itself. A convenience store sits about ten minutes away, so plan for any essentials. On the bright side, the hotel’s restaurant truly impressed me with its food. For those arriving on foot or by public transport, I’d rate the location as 6. Booking is a breeze, thanks to options like booking.com and handy touch screens for same-day reservations. If you book online, you’ll just need a quick chat with the receptionist to finish checking in and get your room details, which are standard. For accessibility, I’d give it a 7, making a total score of 13.
The room gods smiled on me, granting a Japanese-style room, and after a smooth check-in, I dove into the delightful ritual of choosing amenities and freebies for my stay. The hotel’s amenities bar is a wonderland, overflowing with everything from classic shampoos to tempting candies, playful board games, soothing bath salts, and even sleep aids. My basket quickly brimmed with treats and relaxation essentials. Inside the room, the surprises continued: yukata robes, a TV, fridges, a luxurious jet bath, and access to darts and a table tennis room you can book with a tap on your phone. While the dart machine was out of order, the sheer variety was more than made up for it. For amenities, I give the hotel an 8, bringing the total score to 21.
My room felt wonderfully spacious, with inviting tatami-style floors that set a calming tone. The bed, a comfortable mattress on a low frame, was a welcome relief after days of travel, especially for my tired back. I loved having full control over the lighting and air conditioning, plus the added perks of a water cooler and air purifier. Booking food and reserving the dart room through the app made everything seamless, and I found myself genuinely excited to step out, a rare feeling since most love hotels require a call to the front desk just to leave. The space was spotless and modern, though I did spot a single ant on the bedsheets, possibly a stowaway from my own bag but on further digging in reviews another ant review was spotted. It is unclear if it was just this room. For comfort and cleanliness, I give it a solid 7, bringing my total to 28.
Food is usually a tough category for me to judge, since most love hotels have late check-in times, and I rarely feel like eating by then. This hotel, though, offers the rare treatment of an earlier check-in, which meant I had an appetite. The menu was impressively diverse, and I went for the steak. It arrived quickly and was delicious, with the garlic butter melting perfectly over each bite. Ordering through the app made the whole process effortless and stress-free. Each room comes with a tablet that connects you to all the hotel’s services, from wake-up calls to food delivery through Uber and other companies. For food, I’m giving an 8, bringing the total score to 36.
Looking back on my stay, I genuinely had a blast at this hotel. If my visit had only lasted a day, this hotel might have claimed the top spot among all nine hotels I visited on my trip. Another hotel managed to outshine it, but that story is for another time. This place is packed with playful touches and thoughtful extras, and the variety of room styles adds a sense of adventure to your stay. Booking online feels like spinning a wheel of fortune, but if you’re local, you have a better shot at landing one of the more whimsical rooms. The entrance Buddha was a delight, with moving hands and a voice that greeted me. The quirky horse and the striking tori gate instantly transported me to Kyoto. At first, I was a bit disappointed not to get the turtle pool room with its clamshell bed, but the room I received captured the Kyoto spirit beautifully, blending traditional Japanese style with modern comforts. If only the dart machine had worked, my rating would be even higher. Still, I appreciate the idea and hope to see it perfect on a future stay. For overall enjoyment, I’m giving this hotel a solid 7, bringing my total score to 43.
In the end, the broken darts machine and the possible ant sightings did take some of the shine off. I was also surprised to be charged an extension fee for checking in just half an hour earlier than my estimated arrival, even though it was within the official check-in window. Next time, I might try my luck as a walk-in guest to dodge that fee and finally meet the turtles. For now, I give the likelihood of rebooking an 8. My final score is 51 out of 70, which makes this a solid choice if you are in the area. Additionally, the nearby train line offers a direct route to Nara, making it a convenient base for anyone eager to visit the famous deer park.
