FOUR SEASONS KYOTO, JAPAN

	Rating
Room	★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0
Food & Beverage	★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0
Service	★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.5
Amenities	★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0
Ambiance	★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0
Location	★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.5

Having worked at Four Seasons, I think it’s only fit that my first review be about one of my favorite hotels, Four Seasons Kyoto. Located a nine-minute taxi ride away from Kyoto Station, the hotel is situated in the Higashiyama ward. Although not centrally located, its location offers a close walk to famous attractions like Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Room ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0

I’ve stayed in four different room types throughout my four stays at FS Kyoto. I received complimentary room upgrades two times.

Having experienced the guest rooms, suites, and the one-bedroom residence, I can guarantee that even the smallest guest room (527 sqft) offers more than enough space to relax after a long day discovering temples and cafes in Kyoto. And if you need to do some work, the desk (along with the view!) will provide the perfect environment.

Four Seasons signature bedding—made of hypoallergenic, 100% Polyester Fibre—ensures you’ll fall asleep in minutes. My only critique will be the softer pillows, but that’s my personal preference for a firmer pillow.

The bathroom features a walk-in shower and a bathtub (necessary for those who live in Japan!). Just take a bath with the provided Yuzu bath salts, and you’ll be ready to sleep in no time!

Breakfast at Emba offers an à-la-carte or buffet option. If you choose the à-la-carte route, you can experience the traditional Japanese breakfast set, which is both filling and aesthetically pleasing. Just be ready to experience new flavors! The buffet route comes with one entree item, and time and time again I have chosen the onsen eggs (2nd picture). I jokingly told my friends it was one of the reasons I had to stay another night. The buffet offers a variety of fruits, pastries (croissants, muffins), and items you’d see on a traditional buffet like breakfast potatoes or sausages. I will say, it’s not the most impressive variety given the space they have, but it is enough to feel satiated.

Sushi Wakon (now Sushi Ginza Onodera)

Sushi Wakon was my first omakase experience in Japan. Because I came during off-season in February, I was the only guest sitting at the sushi counter. However, the one-on-one opportunity to practice my Japanese with the seasoned sushi chef and to learn the best sushi eating manners made for one of the best culinary nights I had in Japan.

Dinner: Emba Kyoto Chophouse

I decided to stop by Emba for dinner and, as the name infers, you must try the steak. The sauces—bbq, chimichurri, and soy garlic—paired with the medium-cooked steak perfectly. I ordered a side of the truffle fries, along with a platter of oysters. The sakura flavored condiment paired very well. All in all, a must!

The Lounge & Bar

I always try bars during the earlier hours of service (around 5pm) because when I’m solo traveling I like to grab a drink while I read a book. The drinks and food are already superb, but add the wonderful staff, and you get the perfect lounge bar.

Service ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.5

Service at FS Kyoto has been for the most part excellent. If you’ve only been once then you’d probably never notice the small differences in service.

I have several fond memories with several employees at this property, and they always recognize me every time I return. However—and this is not the hotel’s fault—but the turnover rate seems to be higher than I would expect at an establishment like FS, which makes it harder to create those lasting relationships.

In addition—and this one is my own fault—but I decided to spend my fourth visit at the property during Golden Week (April 29-May 5), which is a holiday-filled week most Japanese people will take off to travel. The hotel was fully occupied, so it took longer to check-in because my room wasn’t ready.

Amenities ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0

Amenity-wise, the hotel is fully equipped with a gym, pool (with two hot tubs!), spa , public bath, and some amazing F&B amenities that are unique to this property. When my partner and I stayed in December, we received a Santa Claus cake along with an ornament lookalike dessert. The second photo is of a chocolate dessert that replicates a famous pattern found in a garden in Kyoto.

Ambiance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0

Part of the reason I kept coming back to stay at this hotel was the peaceful ambiance that can’t always be found in a city that’s recently been overrun by tourists. FS Kyoto is a vacation from the vacation. Every single corner of the hotel feels like a calming oasis.

Location ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.5

Perhaps the reason you are considering other hotels is because of FS Kyoto’s location. Yes, it is pretty far from touristy spots (besides Kiyomizu-dera), but that gives it the peaceful ambiance you can’t find elsewhere. And, with Google Maps, it’s easy to take a bus (the closest bus stop is 4 min walk away from hotel). For those who prefer taxi, the concierge will be more than happy to assist with calling you a taxi to your next destination.