Aventine

I love the tofu skins with wasabi. YUM!

Duke777

Had some of the best steak I've ever had at Otsuka, which is close to the Suiran.

Aventine

If anyone likes Star Wars and wants to see the temple on the 10 yen coin! It's not in Kyoto proper though but Uji (very close by).


Star Wars folding screen at the Byodo-in

Aventine

Marbled wagyu steak with a glass of red served in an open Kyoto kitchen . Very quaint butcher shop transformed into a restaurant. Kyoto classy enough but not stifling like some of those 3* places.

Hafuu Honten

http://hafuu.com/sm_en/

shevboyz

If you are into beef, I highly recommend Miyoshi. They serve amazing beef omakase dinner over here. Whenever I hit kyoto, I will always try to get a reservation here.

https://s.tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26002222/

I like Hachikian for Oyako Don, simple comfort food. They have a branch in Takashimaya.

elleana

So am looking to do a night or two here next year - I have a choice of $600, 15k starpoints + $275 or 30k starpoints a night. These book into Moderate rooms (looks like the smallest rooms), but I'm assuming (hoping?) I get upgraded as a Plat to something with an onsen. Whats my best bet?

bhrubin

Pick the rate that’s best for you. The award night is a slightly smaller value for your 30K points than the C&P rate, but it should be about what’s more valuable to you—your cash or your points. There is no absolute right answer.

You shouldn’t assume you’ll be upgraded as a Plat at a hotel with only 39 rooms. Even with SNAs, as there are only 4 suites. The smallest room is 40 sq meters, or 430 sq feet, so even that’s pretty sizable. If you’re visiting at a low occupancy time, you’re more likely to get upgraded, perhaps. But it’s still such a small hotel that you shouldn’t expect that.

We will be here in May for 5 nights, so the 5th night free with award nights made that a no brainer for us.

elleana

In the end I booked a deluxe room - cheapest room with a private onsen, Didn't get upgraded but was a very nice room and had a very, very nice time. Was slightly worried that the Arashimaya area would have been a bit too quiet but in the end did not have to worry. Nice walk down the main street through the tourist area, through the bamboo forest, in the park, and the train was very convenient to get out.

callmedtop

A very comprehensive review of the Suiran was posted over on the Luxury Hotels forum and may interest readers here:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxu...l#post29788671

damon88

Fly Me To The Moon

I have two nights confirmed here later this month. Two questions:
1.) SPG Platinums enjoy complimentary breakfast at this hotel, WITHOUT having to request "breakfast" as the Platinum amenity?
2.) Does this hotel guarantee 4pm late checkout, or is it subject to availability? Is the Suiran classified as a "resort"?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

DownData

Hmm.. Staying here in September. I wonder if how the merger with Marriott will impact things? I'm gold with Marriott, which I assume will become plat after the merger. Does that entitle me to comp breakfast?

worldtravel123

100 night platinum. Used points for 5 night stay.

I had stayed 2 nights back in 2016 and really enjoyed it. I wanted to go back.

I love this place. It is very zen. The location in Arashiyama is lovely.

I don't recommend August because it is hotter than you know what in Kyoto.

Our room was lovely - we had a deluxe room with private garden and onsen.

Breakfast was included because of my status. Also lovely.

There is a daily happy hour - I think it is for all guests but don't quote me - you can pick wine or champagne and get little treats to eat. All while looking out at the river and mountains.

This isn't in central kyoto but I love that you can walk 10minutes to the bamboo forest. Easy access to see it without the tourist hoards.

We did the train in/out of Kyoto center one day and it wasn't a big deal. Pretty easy.

They have a fitness center but it has 2 bikes only. Very small.

The staff are wonderful. Serivce is above average in Japan anyways, but the staff at the Suiran just took it up another notch. So kind, pleasant, polite. Just fabulous.

CLEguy

bhrubin