We were 7 days into our Japan trip. We had spent 5 whirlwind days in Tokyo, 2 cold and eventful days in Mt. Fuji, and were now ready to hit the ground running in Kyoto. The halfway point of a trip is when Pat and I begin to seek a respite from travel. We look for places that are able to wash all of our exhaustion away, not make us think twice about where we’re staying, what we’re doing next, where we’re going etc. We needed to be pampered and rejuvenated for just 1 night in order to get us across the finish line for the next 6 days. The Shinmonzen, Kyoto, was exactly what we needed—an urban and eco-conscious luxury sanctuary inspired by a traditional Japanese Inn, or Ryokan, designed for the modern traveller.
In Japan, there is a tradition called Omotenashi, which means to wholeheartedly look after guests. At the luxury boutique hotel, Shinmonzen, omotenashi is at the heart of everything they do. There is immense pride in being able to anticipate the needs and well-being of guests. To the point where if you go to help yourself to a cup of coffee or open a door, a staff member will rush to do it for you, often quite distressed that they did not anticipate your need. This was something I had to try and teach Patrick. Instead of being self-sufficient, I had to constantly remind him to let the staff do it for us, something that many times made him feel uneasy. And he isn’t wrong. It’s so different to the notion of reciprocity that we’ve had drilled into our lives. It feels confusing, conflicting, but also touching.
~ Complimentary Transportation ~
This concept of omotenashi begins the minute we stepped foot off the Shinkansen in Kyoto. One of the many perks of The Shinmonzen is the complimentary pick-up to and from the hotel. We were greeted by Anando, a Kyoto local and staff member of The Shinmonzen. He took our bags, escorted us out of the train station, and transferred us to the luxury boutique hotel located in the famous Gion district of Kyoto.
~ Welcome Service ~
We got to our room and were pleasantly surprised to find a freshly made pastry made by the in-house pastry chef and a homemade welcome beverage made by the bartender. The welcome beverage is a recipe exclusive to The Shinmonzen and cannot be found anywhere else. It’s made fresh every morning for guests and contains Shiso leaves, a mint relative that’s often used in Asian cuisines. It’s an aromatic sparkling beverage that is perfectly sweet and tart. The beverage washed down the pastry’s combination of smooth custard inside a crisp pastry topped with asian pears and golden leaves nicely.
I was so famished, I couldn’t focus on the details of the room. Following my welcome pastry, I quickly made my way down to The Shinmonzen’s acclaimed Jean-Georges restaurant for more.
~ Jean-Georges Restaurant ~
As well as design and amenities, The Shinmonzen offers lots of little extras that are certainly unique to Kyoto. The hotel includes a spa with treatments like Reiki, a cardio gym, in-suite wellness amenities like yoga mats and the first-ever Jean-Georges restaurant in Kyoto complete with it’s own pastry chef, barista, and more. The Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen is considered one of the newest and best restaurants in Kyoto. It’s certainly one of the most creative—a brilliant amalgamation of French, American, and Asian influence. Local ingredients are the driving force behind the seasonal, ever-changing menu.
The restaurant is led by chef Hana Yoon, who trained with Jean Georges Restaurant in New York. The design is transparent, open, and airy, complete with a counter where you can watch the chefs go through their paces. If there is a must-try dish, it’s Jean-Georges famous crispy sushi and molten chocolate lava cake. After all, he is known for being the inventor of the lava cake back in the 1980s in New York. Chocolate sponge cake on the outside and runny and gooey in the center—exquisite. I enjoy my main, sole and potato dumplings, while speaking with the Italian restaurant manager whose worked for several luxury properties in Europe and Asia. After some delightful conversation, Pat and I head back upstairs to freshen up for our neighborhood walk.
An aspect of Japanese culture that delights, confuses, and makes foreigners feel uneasy is when the hotel or restaurant staff lines up and bows when guests leave to say goodbye until they are out of sight. And this doesn’t happen just when you’re leaving the hotel, it happens even if you’re just getting into the elevator. We step inside, watch as the staff bows down to us and watch the doors close as we head on back to our room.
~ The Art, Architecture & Detail ~
Now that I was satiated, I could begin to appreciate The Shinmonzen’s attention to detail and architecture. The Shinmonzen is like a multi-layered cake. The gift that keeps on giving. It’s often the smaller things that make the big difference and this is what sets the Kyoto luxury boutique hotel apart from its competitors. It’s like a movie you have to watch 3 or 4 times over to get the full effect. Every time you walk around The Shinmonzen, you see something new.
The Shinmonzen got it’s name from the street that it’s on called Shinmonzen-Dori – the street of artists, fine arts, and antique shops. It was a labor love that took over 10 years to be designed by world-renowned contemporary architect, Tadao Ando. It reiterates the traditional Japanese ryokan model in it’s minimalist rooms and exterior, but by bringing in the likes of Damien Hirst (an English artist and art collector) and Louise Bourgeois (a French-American artist) they were able to achieve a wonderful combination of old and new.
Although it has pockets of history, it’s a very modern property that has all facilities one would expect to find in a 21st century luxury boutique hotel in Kyoto. The hotel is focused on natural design. In fact, every one of it’s exclusive 9 suites is dedicated to a natural element.
~ The Suite ~
The lunch was just a teaser for what awaited in my spacious, sumptuous suite: With a nature-centric design and minimalist approach setting the mood, I felt totally transported as I tested out the couch, desk, and bed, before marveling at the artwork (including the TV stand) and the expansive double vanity bathroom with a walk-in shower. In Japanese culture, nature is a connection to the divine. And I can assure you, our suite was a divine experience. The natural elements at The Shinmonzen were found everywhere from the organic linen to the food ingredients from organic local farms and commitment to a plastic-free environment.
Our superb suite was called “Jiki,” which in Japanese means a material similar to porcelain. This is just one example of The Shinmonzen‘s 9 suites, each which is uniquely decorated with hand-picked art and upscale antiques. 3 of the suites offer a traditional Japanese ryokan experience with a tatami, or bed on the ground. Our suite was Western style with traditional Japanese touches. For instance, traditional Japanese sliding doors separated our living room from our double bedroom. The suite did have a certain smooth, minimalist, and elevated look to it that recalled porcelain and featured a balcony with views of the Shirakawa River, considered to be the most beautiful body of water in all of Kyoto.
~ Complimentary Walking Tour of Gion ~
The Shinmonzen‘s guest experience team is one of the huge perks of staying at the luxury boutique hotel in Kyoto. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind experiences, they have exclusive relationships and hook-ups with various local vendors in the area. That includes access to temples, cultural experiences, mindfulness meditations, tea ceremony at Korin-in Temple, Geiko and Maiko experiences, and more. The Shinmonzen is here to help you unlock the real Kyoto, at the property and outside the property.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, you can take their complimentary and private walking tour with a Guest Experience member. Patrick and I were led by local Guest Experience member, Anando, through the Gion district. This experience is exclusive to The Shinmonzen. Starting at the luxury boutique hotel in Gion, you will explore Gion, Kenninki Temple, Ebisu Shrine, and more. The Shinmonzen will point out details and stores you otherwise would’ve missed, helping you uncover a side a Kyoto you couldn’t find online. If you preface the trip telling them you’re a foodie, into antiques, beauty, fashion or just architecture, they will customize the walking tour for you to fit your needs and even help you make purchases or book classes. It is a truly tailored experience.
~ Wine Selection ~
After wandering for a few hours, we decided to go back to The Shinmonzen and unwind before dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine to the room. The wine was from Château La Coste, The Shinmonzen’s sister property and original genius of owner and renowned hotelier and art collector, Paddy McKillen. Located in Provence, the sister property Villa La Coste is located on a vineyard. One of the perks of staying at The Shinmonzen is the exclusive access to this curated wine selection. We were exhausted. Had been wandering city after city for the last 7 days and wanted nothing other than just to Netflix, wine, and chill. This was the respite we needed from our trip. It felt like we were at home. We washed up, got cozy in our Shinmonzen bath robes, and turned on the TV to watch some well deserved Netflix.
~ Dinner Recommendations & Reservations ~
But when the clock struck 8PM, we were instantly overcome with a sense of hunger. Lunch was great, but the sign of good food is not feeling the food hours later, and that was the case here. Empty stomachs. Earlier on in the day, during check-in at The Shinmonzen, guest services had asked us what type of restaurants and food we liked, what type of dinner we were looking to have etc. They then ask you to connect with them on WhatsApp so that you can more easily reach them should you need anything at any point in your trip. They also do this so they can send you dinner recommendations based off what you said.
Pat and I had eaten plenty of incredible meals over the last few days, but were in the mood for something simple, local, down-to-earth, affordable, and close. Something I could go to with jeans and no makeup. The Shinmonzen recommended a few local spots and Patrick and I ended up going with a local gyoza spot in Gion. They would’ve booked or reserved us a table, but it wasn’t possible at this restaurant. The meal was exactly what we were looking for. The Shinmonzen was able to expect our every move, craving, and need – true omotenashi – and what an experience it had been so far. To not have to think about our next move and have them know exactly what we wanted.
~ Amenities ~
Prior to arrival in Kyoto, the hotel had sent me an email asking me what type of pillow Patrick and I preferred and if we had any additional needs. Custom pillows? Check. It reminded me of when I visited Ink House in Napa Valley and they went as far as asking me what mattress I preferred.
The rooms amenities were – I swear – unlike any other I’ve ever experienced. Travelers who appreciate attention to detail are sure to love The Shinmonzen as much as I did. It seemed that every corner of the luxury boutique hotel held another surprise, from the minibar’s selection of local Japanese sweets, treats, and beverages to the toilet paper—yes, you read that right.
In the bathroom, I found a Dyson hairdryer and a box full of additional amenities, from a high quality and sustainable branded bamboo toothbrush to razors, shaving gel, and $150 worth of toiletries and cosmetics by renowned Japanese brand Damdam. Long travel days can leave you feeling frazzled and make your skin and hair appear dull and dry. Having high-quality hair care and skincare at a hotel is literally a god send. But it doesn’t stop there.
This wouldn’t be Japan without a state-of-the-art automatic bidet toilet and trash can where you don’t even need to touch the toilet lid, it automatically opens up the minute you walk into the restroom. This was by far the highest end toilet I had seen in Japan thus far, and that’s saying a lot. To add on to it, I kid you not the toilet paper was stamped – STAMPED – with the S for The Shinmonzen. It was unbelievable. Lastly, to cater the modern 21st century traveler, the Shinmonzen goes as far as providing all guests with an Apple iPhone for use in the room and a wireless phone charger. If the property was looking to anticipate my every need, they had thoroughly succeeded.
~ Turndown Service ~
When we returned to the luxury boutique hotel in Kyoto, we were asked whether we wanted anything before bed to make us more comfortable and feel at home – chamomile or tea before bedtime perhaps? A night cap? We politely passed, but honestly, tea did not sound half bad. …How did they know?
When we got back to the room, turndown service had taken place. There was a sleep set left out on the bed, complete with a foot mat before getting into bed, linen pajamas, CBD candy and the room-service breakfast menu. It may seem strange to leave pajamas out for guests, but again, in Japan it is customary to leave pajamas and Yukatas (or comfortable lounging robes) out for guests. I never thought I’d use them until I realized how gross I felt sleeping in my 5 days old pajama and how comfortable and clean these pajamas truly were. We snuggled up in our clean pajamas, turned on Netflix, and sat on the comfortable couch to watch the Crown before dozing off in our comfortable and plush beds.
~ Breakfast ~
I woke up to the sound of automatic shades lifting to reveal streaks of sunshine breaking through the room. When it comes to breakfast, you could choose to eat downstairs with all the other guests in the beautiful Riverside Lounge and balcony overlooking the Shirakawa River or you can choose to have it brought to your room. Again, we wanted to feel like we were at home, so filled out the form the night prior and had it brought up to us so we could enjoy it in the room and on our private balcony.
The breakfast spread is included in the stay and includes a wide variety of options including matcha latte, cappuccino, pastries, eggs, and vegan and vegetarian options like vegan oatmeal pancakes. Rich and light just like the lunch. It was the perfect power meal to start the day.
~ Luggage Transportation ~
When it was time for check-out, I did not want to hand my luggage over to guest services. I had enjoyed my stay so much, I regretted not booking a second and third night. But alas, the property did what it was meant to do. It gave me a respite, a piece of home, and a moment of relaxation in an otherwise whirlwind of a trip. To end our stay, The Shinmonzen was kind enough to transport our luggage from their luxury boutique hotel to our next stay in Kyoto, which was a traditional Ryokan a few minutes away. They continue to outdo themselves in making our stay and lives easier so we could go about our day without a care in the world.
~ Concluding Thoughts ~
For me, the beauty of The Shinmonzen is that the entire experience felt like I was at home. It felt mindless and comfortable. With such attention to omotenashi, it’s no surprise that even though it’s a new property, The Shinmonzen has already become home to many famous faces.
We all know that there are a lot of good luxury boutique hotels in Kyoto. So if you’re going to open a luxury boutique hotel in Kyoto, you have to come to the table with something amazing, extraordinary, unique and different, and that’s exactly what The Shinmonzen has done. A sublime end product. I left the property feeling rested, rejuvenated – and above all, eager to return.
