Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto

In August 2026, I stayed at Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto and would like to share my experience. This hotel is part of Singapore’s Banyan Tree Group, and Garrya Nijo Castle opened in 2022 as their very first property in Japan. It is an intimate, 4-story luxury boutique hotel featuring a total of just 25 rooms.

The building itself was originally opened in 2020 as Kyoto Yura Hotel Nijo Castle MGallery, a property by the French hospitality group Accor, before being rebranded. Since Accor has a financial stake and a strategic partnership with Banyan Tree, you could say it essentially remains part of the Accor Group.

This is the entrance.

Going from the hotel entrance through a bamboo grove path, a large door opens from the dimly lit approach, leading to a stunning view of the lobby. I felt the staging was calculated.

Guided to the lobby space, we checked in while enjoying a welcome drink and sweets. The scenery reflects like a mirror on the garden pond and stone table, making it truly beautiful.

This hotel has received a One Michelin Key rating for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025.

There are 5 room types at this hotel. This is my second stay, and both times I stayed in a Nijo Castle View Room. For those who prioritize the view, I recommend the Rikyu Suite or the Nijo Castle View Room. Although you can’t see Nijo Castle from there, the Bamboo Garden Room also offers a nice garden view. Since the hotel seems to have adopted ‘well-being’ as its concept, those looking for an experience to refresh their mind and body might also enjoy the Well-being Room. (It features items like yoga mats and balance balls, a constitution check, and different amenities and drinks from the other rooms.)

↑	Rikyu Terrace Suite
	Bamboo Garden
	Nijo Castle View	The room I stayed in this time
	Wellbeing
↓	Delux

Heading to the room. The elevator lobby is also a very stylish space.

Since the Nijo Castle View Rooms are on the upper floors, opening the door reveals an open and expansive view.

By the window, there is a raised tatami seating area where you can relax while enjoying the view.

Although it is located right in front of Nijo Castle, the main keep is not visible. This is because it was struck by lightning and burned down in 1750, and was never rebuilt. However, it is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy the National Treasure Ninomaru Palace and the beautiful Japanese garden.

There was a water dispenser in the room. Some hotels recently require you to go get your own water, but this saves you the trouble.

There is a restaurant called ‘Singular’ inside the hotel. Having dinner here is also recommended. You can enjoy innovative French cuisine that fuses Japanese and French culinary arts. I didn’t include dinner this time, so these are photos from my previous stay.

The hotel has a wonderful atmosphere at night too. After the turndown service, chocolates were prepared for us.

Breakfast is also served at ‘Singular,’ and you can choose from a set menu. The options included ‘Well-being Breakfast (Western),’ ‘Singular Pancake Breakfast,’ and ‘Japanese Breakfast.’

This time, they kindly prepared breakfast for in-room dining as a special arrangement. It’s such an elegant morning.

Total Review

From the prior communication, the staff handled everything with great care, and their warm hospitality throughout the stay truly healed my heart. I could feel the attention to detail in the interior design and the flow of the hotel, creating a high-quality space. In a quiet environment with a small number of rooms, I was able to relax and rest my mind and body in a thoughtfully designed, wonderful Japanese-style space.