Ryo Kan
What We Love
- The rooftop onsen, with four private baths
- The hotel’s origami-inspired sculptural façade
- Hand-woven tatami floors
- Yukata robes for all guests
What To Know
- The property doesn’t have a full-service restaurant but does offer breakfast and to-go sandwiches
- Some of the rooms open up to a balcony, with views of the interior courtyard
- An in-house app controls all the lighting in each of the guest rooms
- Traditional in-room tea service is available for an additional fee
Amenities
- Concierge
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Spa
Overview
Contemporary ten-room inn inspired by 8th-century Japanese guesthouses in Mexico City’s flourishing Little Tokyo neighborhood
The Lowdown
If a tranquil Japanese inn seems out of place in the frenetic Mexican capital, think again. The relationship between the two countries actually began 400 years ago, when a brave samurai first landed in Acapulco. Today, that historic connection surfaces in the city’s Juarez neighborhood, a centrally situated tree-lined enclave of ramen joints, izakayas, Asian grocery stores, and even a contemporary art bookstore that specializes in Spanish-language Japanese literature. Inside this understated guesthouse masterminded by local architect Regina Galvanduque, traditional local flourishes like Juco vines (typical of Mayan architecture), enamel plates, and granite sinks share the limelight with charming Japanese accents like a koi pond and a Zen garden. The terrazzo stone and wood rooms are Kyoto chic, with slick automated management systems and low-slung beds—and, while the four open-air terrace baths are far from a traditional Japanese hot spring experience, they are the perfect perches from which to survey nearby Chapultepec Park and the rest of Mexico City’s 24/7 magic.
In the Area
Nestled in the borough of Cuauhtémoc, Juarez (formerly considered Mexico City’s most opulent pocket) was brutally ravaged by the 1985 earthquake—but a recent restoration has resulted in a burgeoning young professional scene lured by a clutch of ambitious eateries. Though the absence of an in-house restaurant may seem like a drag, Ryo Kan guests are within strolling distance of some of the area’s—and arguably, the world’s—best Japanese food. Standouts include Rokai, where the killer nine-course omakase menu features sumptuous sushi and sashimi sourced from Mexican waters, and Le Tachinomi Desu, a quirky standing-only café that transforms into a whisky and sake bar at night.
How to Get There
Reviews
Well I had my stay a couple of months ago and I want to clarify that it is a good place, all tourist points have them nearby, as well as important roads which can be traveled on foot, by bicycle, mono skate and many alternatives, on the other hand about From the staff I want to recognize the great value of Jose and Jessica, first to Jose for the wonderful reception that I offer, and Jessica who was always attentive at breakfast.
The negative details of the place is that having a lot of technological luxury lacks the most important thing, the air conditioning, really for my next to Mexico I want to return with you, but simply have the great promise of having air conditioning.
I booked at Ryo Kan as a present to myself for my birthday. They had this incredible promo of one night at the Tatami Suite with a 60 minute massage included. I had tour the hotel a week earlier when looking for a place where to pamper myself. Both the attention during the tour and at the stay were amazing. The service, kindness, the room and the massage... not to mention the continental breakfast by the onsen, the tea and coffee were delicious. The place simply inspires a zen mood, is very peaceful even though you’re right in the middle of one of the most chaotic (yet beautiful) cities in the world. All the employees were excellent. Thank you for letting me have an unforgettable experience.
I just stayed at Ryo Kan for 6 nights and did not enjoy my stay at all. Rooms are small and more suited for very short stays (little wardrobes). Cleanliness wasn't great, their breakfast offering rather poor (and it took like 10-15 minutes to get a coffee in the morning) and they didn't show any tolerance with a late check-out which I assumed incorrectly and they charged me 50% of a full night! Would not recommend the hotel for this kind of money.