I stayed at the Westin in mid-August 2018 and was upgraded to a Kasui-en room. I remember the hotel renovation kicking off around then, but there weren't any signs that the works would touch Kasui-en so I'm blown away by the fact that they did re-do those rooms! When I stayed, there was definitely an element of the spaces being a bit faded but it made for an incredibly charming stay that only enhance the experience. Between the pin-drop silence, neutral colors and clean lines, it was beautiful to be in that part of the hotel. I believe the Western-style beds are new; when we were there, Heavenly futons were laid out every evening and then cleared away during the day to make space for a small two-seater table and cushions arrangement. The bathrooms were a bit worn, but had a cypress tub and shower with wooden bench in one room and washlet in the other; it seems they've upgraded the tubs and added a small sink to the washlet rooms.

While I can't comment on the newly-renovated rooms seen in this video, I highly recommend getting a room in this wing. Surreal, authentic experience. Heads up: it's a bit of a walk since you take the elevator to the third floor, walk down the halls, through the garden, up a path, three steps into Kasui-en, enter the building and then have to weave through stairways since the building crawls around the rocks its built on. The staff will offer to help you with suitcases, but worth noting.

khabah