Page 149 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
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substantial cultural importance in their re- includes a pool, thermal spring spa, and five
spective countries. different restaurants and bar options, with
Most travelers arrive at Kyoto Station, views of the beautifully curated gardens.
a stunning modern contrast to old Kyoto. The layout, with the garden in the mid-
The 15-story development includes the dle, creates scenic views from all the din-
train and bus station facilities, the Granvia ing rooms and the lobby. Beyond the
Hotel, the Isetan department store, an art quality of the facility, rooms, and food, the
museum, a theater, and a vast array of concierge services are spectacular. They
shopping and dining options. The futuristic coordinated taxis for our group of eight on
design starts in the main hall, with steel three different nights for dining in differ-
beams rising in a massive open space. We ent restaurant areas. The staff helped ar-
ventured up to the Skyway tunnel on the range all our transfers, meet our guides,
11th restaurant floor, 45 meters above the and schedule transportation to the airport.
central hall, to marvel at city views and Bartenders, dining room, and front desk
the station below. staff are friendly and efficient.
We stayed three nights at Hotel the
Mitsui Tokyo, recently awarded Michelin's Golden Pavilion
highest Three Key hotel distinction. It is
adjacent to the legendary Nijo Castle, a We started a full day of touring at
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), a mesmer-
It is known as the finest hotel in Kyoto izing Zen Buddhist temple whose top two
and one of the top hotels we have ever en- floors are covered in gold leaf. The reflec-
joyed anywhere. The 160 guest rooms fea- tions on the pond make for memorable
ture carefully chosen natural materials photos. We wandered for an hour, taking
incorporated into the walls, ceilings, and pictures from different angles and trying
decorations by local artisans. The property to artistically capture this symbol of Ky-
