Let me share this hotel recommendation from our Japanese family:

Shisui (part of the Luxury Collection) sits in Nara offering that perfect blend of high-end luxury with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Our family particularly emphasized how it provides a serene escape while still being accessible to Nara's major sites.

What makes it special according to them is how it manages to feel both luxurious and authentically Japanese - not always an easy balance to strike. The views of the surrounding landscape apparently add another layer to the experience, making even time spent in your room feel connected to Nara's natural beauty.

While we didn't get to stay here ourselves, our family insists it's worth the splurge for anyone wanting to experience Japanese hospitality at its finest, especially given Nara's significance as Japan's first permanent capital.