Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku Candeo Hotels
A Historical Kyoto Kominka Given New Life
I first discovered the Candeo Hotel chain several years ago on my first trip to Nagasaki (still need to share). Their rooms are always modern, lovely and perfect for couples travelling. I especially loved that the majority of their properties have a SkySpa - a large public bath. Please be aware that all their baths use normal water, not onsen hot spring. Think of it as similar to a Sento bath experience.
All rooms do have their own private ensuite - shower/bathroom facilities.
I was delighted when Candeo Hotels opened a property in Kyoto in my favourite area of Karasuma, as part of a 100year old historical Machiya! where not only did they have a glorious public bath, but certain rooms have their very own gorgeous large private ofuros. Read on below to see how my time at Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku was like.
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I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Every property and destination featured on this website has been personally experienced by the writer, and are their personal thoughts and opinions.
Exploring the Beautiful Interiors
The actual hotel and it’s rooms are built behind this historical Machiya, whilst the Machiya itself is used as the entrance lobby. They’ve converted the original rooms into various relaxing common spaces for guests to enjoy throughout their stay, such as cozy reading areas with squashy bean bags, comfy lounges where one can enjoy complimentary drinks such as various teas etc. One of the original Machiya rooms is set aside for guests to enjoy breakfast (if included in their stay). J
Remember: Just be aware every now and then of a couple low hanging wooden beams if you’re tall.
The Top Floor SkySpa Public Bath
These beautiful relaxing baths in fresh white & granite pottery hues are a great way to soothe your body after walking around Kyoto. Use of the public baths is solely restricted to hotel guests.
Both men’s & women’s baths have both indoor and semi-open air (where the pottery baths are) to enjoy. Whilst the women’s bath also has a mist sauna, and men’s has a dry sauna along with a cold bath as well. The water is not onsen water.
Important! Guests with tattoos are allowed to use the public baths when they stay at the Tokyo Roppongi, Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku & Osaka Namba properties. Children must be fully toilet trained, no water diapers.
My Room: The Private Spa King
The rooms at Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku follow the usual designs of Candeo Hotel, modern lines, simplicity, comfy little day beds (it’s always nice knowing that the branding/design is consistent throughout their properties - just sometimes in difference color schemes!).
However one difference in comparison to their other hotels I’ve experienced (Tokyo Roppongi & Nagasaki Chinatown) is that Kyoto has this extra luxe rooms Private Spa King & Twin where one can enjoy their own private open air ofuro bath (not onsen!). This is why I always have with me on my travels - a bunch of onsen bath salts - just for occasions like this.
Note: There are also Private Spa Twin Rooms available too
The Beautiful Private Open Air Bath
Utterly luscious and so spacious, easily could fit a couple, or even a young family. I spent a lot of time relaxing here, reading an just winding down, after a busy week of travels.
Though I would like to point out, the bath is that big… it takes around 30-40mins to fill!! I had enough time to pop around to the grocery store around the corner from the hotel to pick up a bento for dinner so I could do some work in my room, I got back & the bath still wasn’t finished! So make use of that time whilst the water is running for the bath, to do something else you need to do! Hahaha
A Traditional Japanese Bento Box
If you choose to have breakfast as part of your stay, its a lovely seasonal Japanese breakfast in the cutest traditional bento box style. A great way to start the day with some yumminess.
PS. It was in the breakfast room where I accidentally hit my head on a low beam as I was stepping into the little alcove room to go get more water & tea with breakfast - so remember the low ceilings!
KARASUMA ROKKAKU DETAILS
WEB: CANDEO HOTEL KYOTO KARASUMA ROKKAKU
IG: @CANDEOHOTELS
OTHER PLACES TO STAY & THINGS TO DO
Nishiyama Ryokan - experience a traditional family run ryokan and enjoy complimentary tea ceremony & other free activities
Togetsutei - enjoy a stay in this traditional onsen ryokan near the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Kyoisuke Otonari - wanting a cozy, yet historic stay? spend a night in this renovated machiya in the Taisho-Roman style
Honke Owariya Soba - my favourite traditional soba restaurant in all of Kyoto.
TRAVEL FURTHER
Kinosaki Onsen - download our free ebook guide to this tattoo friendly onsen town
Ishikawa Prefecture - jump on the Thunderbird Express train to Tsuruga Station then Hokuriku Shinkanasen to reach beautiful Kanazawa.
Shizuoka Prefecture - a gem of a prefecture with some of the best seafood and amazing onsen
