The Best Hotels in Kyoto for Business Travellers
Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto might be renowned for representing the country's historical heart – it boasts more than 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines – but its business hotel offerings more than meet the modern traveller's needs. Read on to discover the best stays for those visiting the city with work – and play – on the agenda.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, Higashiyama
WFR (work from room) is no hardship at Banyan Tree’s first outpost in Japan, where even the smallest ryokan-style room starts at a generous 48 square metres. Meet a colleague at the onsite kaiseki spot and leave dining decisions to the chef. Between meetings, visit the property’s soothing indoor/outdoor onsen, fed by natural hot springs.
Hoshinoya Kyoto, Arashiyama
Nestled on a tranquil riverbank in the city’s west, teahouse-style Hoshinoya Kyoto feels worlds away from the city hustle and bustle, despite being less than 30 minutes by taxi or train from the financial district. You won’t find a better place for focused work than your guest pavilion (one of just 25), each of which is ringed by greenery and equipped with DIY tea ceremony goodies, plus sleep-inducing incense-making kits.
Shinsho-an, Ozakaki
To make the most of your sightseeing time, opt for this four-suite stunner in the city’s museum district. Or stay in for a transcendent omakase meal served by the excellent in-house chef at 4pm and 7pm daily. Each of the guestrooms boasts its own distinctive bath (one is made of yew tree pine, another the work of a master plasterer) and the butler can tackle your unpacking. If meetings beckon, Higashiyama Station is less than a kilometre away.
Six Senses Kyoto, Higashiyama
The breakfast at Six Senses Kyoto is far from a cold continental spread: do not skip the heirloom eggs from Uji, served with shiso hummus and leaves plucked from the hotel’s onsite micro farm. Each of the 81 rooms is anchored by an emperor bed, guests have access to a fleet of free e-bikes and there’s a biohack recovery lounge – with solutions such as compression therapy and tension release – tucked into the wellness centre. What jet lag?
