This is a hotel with a storied history, and it shows in both good ways and not so good ways. Photos are newspapers articles about famous personalities (including past and former emperor line the walls. The exterior of the hotel itself is stunning, although the carpeting in the hallways and rooms smells musty. The deer who hang out on the grounds make for picturesque views. The western dining room serves French classics (with the occasional Japanese twist), but the offerings are very old school. There is a heavy emphasis on wagyu steak, which I was told by my traveling partner was good, but woe to the vegetarian who wants to find anything other than iceberg-lettuce salads on the menu. We did not have an opportunity to try the Japanese-style restaurant, so I cannot comment on that. The service, though, was excellent. In our rush to get out of Nara in the middle of a typhoon, my fellow traveler left behind his retainer. When I emailed the hotel the next day, not only had the staff found and kept the retainer, they also preserved his forgotten toothbrush protector. The hotel staff graciously mailed the lost items on to our next hotel. In sum, pricey, classy, but a bit fraying around the edges.
Nara HotelNara Hotel is the perfect choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Nara. Experience an urban escape in Nara with a stay at Nara Hotel, with its exceptional location right in the city center.Nara Hotel provides a range services and amenities to help make your stay more comfortable. Never be out of touch with your contacts, with free Wi-Fi offered throughout your stay. Taxi and car hire services provided by the hotel make it easy to plan your day trips, sightseeing, and more around Nara. If you plan to arrive by car, you'll appreciate the hotel's free parking, right on-site.The hotel provides front desk services such as concierge service, luggage storage and safety deposit boxes for guests' convenience. If you need, the tours can even help you book tickets and reservations at all the best shows and programs nearby. Staying for a long time, or just need clean clothes? dry cleaning service and laundry service offered at the hotel will keep your favorite travel outfits clean and available. For lazy days and nights, in-room conveniences like room service and daily housekeeping let you make the most of your room.Please be advised that smoking is not allowed in the hotel to allow cleaner air for all guests. Smoking is limited to designated areas only, for the health and well-being of all guests and staff.Dining and things to doNothing starts a morning better than a delicious breakfast, which you can always enjoy in-house at Nara Hotel. Everyone loves a good cup of coffee! A coffee shop on-site means you can enjoy a cup of real, freshly brewed coffee every morning -- or anytime you feel like it. If you don't feel like going out to eat, you can always opt for the delicious dining options at the hotel. A night in at the hotel's bar can be as fun as a night out with your travel companions.Nara Hotel has vending machines for 24-hour available light snacks and/or drinks. Guests who prefer to make their own meals will love the in-house shared kitchen available here.Nara Hotel lets you make the most of your time! Once there, you can enjoy countless recreational facilities offered to all guests. Finish your vacation days right by dropping in at the massage. Have fun with your friends or family, or even meet new people at the library. Pick up something memorable for yourself or those waiting for you back at home, at the shops and souvenir shops.Around the propertyOne doesn't need to look far as the hotel enjoys close proximity to sightseeing options and local attractions. An afternoon of browsing the works at Nara National Museum located 510 m away can familiarize you with the local art scene.Reasons to stay hereRooms don't get much cheaper than here, being less than 88% of the city's accommodation.Guests who stayed here rated the facilities above 87% of other accommodations in the city.It's hard to beat the room comfort here, which is rated higher than 91% of other accommodations in Nara.