Boutiques and Resorts
In Kyoto, ryokan and hotels abound, but here are a few exceptions. Mume and The Screen function are two boutique hotels. To some they may seem outlandish, but stylishly unique.
Mume is a very quaint and sophisticated boutique hotel. The owner Ms. Shibata and her staff are consummate service professionals, very knowledgeable about Kyoto and its environs.There is a great little shot bar/restaurant on the first floor as well.
The Screen is also composed of a bombastic style people have come to expect from a boutique hotel. Each one of its rooms was uniquely designed by individual designers. While their service is comparable to most hotels in Japan it probably doesn’t compare to Mume and Hotel Kanra. Also, the level of English ability may be a little suspect. However, the roof top restaurant is great in the summer time when you can relax with some bevies.
Hotel Kanra opened in November of 2010 and is another great boutique hotel. Much of the decor revolves around a simple and natural design I felt similar to the Hyatt Regency Kyoto. The lobby and rooms very much embodied the fusion of traditional and modern elements and materials. The overall design actually involved using a portion of materials from the preexisting building to be recycled and reused in its latest incarnation-Hotel Kanra. Wi-fi in the rooms and free bicycle rentals are also added little perks compared to other accommodations around Kyoto.
Hoshinoya is a gorgeous ryokan and resort property located west of Kyoto city proper. If you are looking for a luxurious mixture of traditional and modern elements in a secluded area, then Hoshinoya beckons. One of Kyoto’s newest editions, Hoshinoya resort is best in spring and autumn. Though the setting is picturesque, access between the resort and Kyoto city restricted to boat and is not convenient, so I would not stay there if you are planning to go between the two often.
The boat launch area is in the Arashiyama area, and leaves from the same boat launch as the Hozu River boats. On south side of the Togetsukyo bridge.
Boat Launch Area