Staying At A Traditional Japanese Ryokan - Ikumatsu Kyoto • 2 comments • Comfort is something that we really value when traveling, so sleeping on the floor doesn't typically sound like an ideal option... especially on vacation. We were, however, intrigued enough to stay at a traditional Japanese Ryokan, so we left our cozy bed at the Brighton and booked one night to check it out. The rooms in the 200-year-old building have been arranged in an authentic Japanese style with tatami mats and decorated with antiques and collectibles. One night here was enough. A lot of Ryokans have onsens which probably give them more of a spa like environment. I might consider that someday, but I'll stick to regular hotels for awhile. The people at Ikumatsu are really accommodating and friendly. Your breakfast is included with the stay. We shared one traditional Japanese breakfast and one "American" breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs and cold cut ham. After eating, we tried on the yukatas they left for us (with instructions) in our pink room. The experience and serene atmosphere definitely made up for the poor night's sleep. - Mina Next Stop: Osaka! Find us on Instagram: @minaseville | @alexanderseville
The Brighton Hotel • 0 comments • The Brighton Hotel was where we chose to rest our heads during most of our time in Kyoto. It's highly rated, really clean, and relatively inexpensive if you can find a deal. It's not a luxury hotel and the beds were very much on the firm end, but I loved the amenities. You can't go wrong with shower rooms that have rainfall nozzles and a Japanese Toto. I'd definitely consider staying there if we returned and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. - Mina
Above & Beyond Restaurant at Hotel Icon • 2 comments • The Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon has a dizzying array of museums, malls, and tourist traps. A huge attraction of the area is that it offers great opportunities to watch the Victoria Harbour light show. We were fortunate enough to be able to view it from the 28th floor of Hotel Icon while enjoying dinner at the Above & Beyond Restaurant. The lobby sets the tone for the rest of the hotel; high quality, well designed, and making thoughtful use of greenery to balance the modernity. The Cantonese restaurant pairs amazing views with a delicious mix of classic and contemporary dishes. Each of the restaurant staff we interacted with were warm and welcoming. It made the dining experience feel very personalized, and having a corner window seat facing the harbour didn’t hurt either. If you're looking for a special way to view the light show, I'd recommend calling early to reserve the best spot. We were treated to a tasting menu that began with a crispy crab claw and shrimp mousse appetizer. While I’m generally not a fan of crab, the preparation won me over and we were soon presented with the second dish, which was probably my favorite. The steamed "garoupa" with egg white and yellow broth was one of those dishes I may never have ordered on my own, but was thankful it was included in the tasting menu because of it’s mix of flavors, textures, and presentation. The menu was a journey through inspired local favorites, including prawns with tangerine peel, wagyu beef with soy marinated goose liver, minced pork with salted fish, marinated chicken in shaoxing wine, Northern Chinese crispy potatoes, and a trio of satisfying desserts. Right at 8pm, our window lit up with a countdown for the Victoria Harbour light show: A Symphony of Lights. More than 40 buildings on either side of the harbour participate to put on the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. When the countdown hits zero, the harbour is filled with a choreographed, and a times chaotic, display of neon, light animations, and lasers over the water. A big thanks to Above & Beyond for having us and for being so kind. - Alex
