Review: JW Marriott Hotel Nara
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Here’s our review of the JW Marriott Nara. This review is part of our series of articles about our family trip to Japan, South Korea and Turkey in spring 2023:
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Booking
Currently, the JW Marriott Hotel Nara is offering rooms from $515 per night, including taxes and fees, or from 58,000 points per night for spring 2024.
On our trip, the fare was 42,000 points. We used a 35,000-point free night certificate by topping up with 7,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (a new option offered by the Marriott Bonvoy program).
It is recommended to monitor prices and promotions regularly.
After visiting Kyoto, we spent a night in Nara at this hotel, before heading on to Osaka and staying at the W Osaka.
The hotel offers 9 room categories:
- one bedroom with king-size bed
- one bedroom with two double beds
- one bedroom with king-size bed and access to the executive lounge
- one bedroom with two double beds and access to the executive lounge
- a Junior Suite, Nara with corner room and king-size bed
- a Junior Suite, Griffin, with corner bedroom and king-size bed
- an Executive Suite, with corner room, king bed and access to the Executive Lounge
- an Executive Suite, Griffin, with 2 double beds and access to the Executive Lounge
- a Presidential suite, with king bed and access to the executive lounge.
Two offers are currently available on the site:
- a retreat for the mind with an AKNIR treatment for a complete hair care package until July 31. Enter code ZJL to benefit.
- a summer camp for JW children (up to age 12) for families from July 13 to September 30, 2023 with various activities such as creating a bath bomb, a cooking class for handmade pizzas, English classes, and more. Enter the promotional code PSF to benefit.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card).
In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Location
The JW Marriott Hotel Nara is about 45 minutes from Osaka International Airport or 30 minutes from Osaka (32 km). Kyoto is almost the same distance away (40 km). If you choose to travel by train, the hotel is a 20-minute walk from Nara station, or a 5-minute cab ride. Trains run frequently.
The hotel is adjacent to the convention center. There are a number of restaurants and services in the vicinity, including a grocery store and a bookshop.
Underground parking is available at the JW Marriott Hotel Nara for ¥2,000.
However, we advise you to park behind the hotel: public parking is available for half the price, just a 2-minute walk away! We didn’t see it until we left the hotel.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Registration
The JW Marriott Hotel Nara was a wonderful discovery. When we arrived by car, we were warmly welcomed. The manager and a member of staff came to help us with our luggage. Realizing that we were French speakers, and being French himself, we exchanged information about the hotel’s services easily, comfortably seated in the lounge while one of the members took care of our reservation.
We were offered a welcome tea and refreshment towel. My impression after looking around? Entering the woods!
The decor is rich, warm and bright. I really liked this space, with its light wood ceiling and lighting contrasting with its colder, straightforward steel exterior. The room mixes wood materials, stone, leather and wood shades ranging from natural to golden.
The hall is vast and airy, with a multitude of sitting areas, some of them more intimate. To the right, a long stone reception counter (granite?) with a mural depicting the Nara region (forest). At the other end of the room, a second artistic fresco behind the bar-counter features a magnificent deer.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Room
Once the services had been introduced, we went to our room with its two double beds. The decor was more sober and simple. We also had access to the executive lounge.
The configuration of the room was not ideal. There wasn’t enough room to move around: the space was taken up by the two double beds, a long console under the TV and a table with two imposing chairs.
However, the room was modern and the beds comfortable. A small welcome gift was waiting for us on the coffee table, along with a thank-you card.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Bathroom
The bathroom was a masterpiece with two entrances, one from the corridor and the other from the bedroom. The configuration was unique, with a single central washbasin counter. Alongside it, facing the counter, was a bathtub with adjoining shower, and a closed Toto toilet.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Breakfast
The entrance to the Silk Road Dining breakfast room is close to the bar area on the first floor. A magnificent masterpiece that I’d describe as a golden floating vase took pride of place at the entrance. The room was elegant, the food delicious with a great choice. The kids loved it and so did we.
The staff were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was varied, with international and of course local dishes, all very well presented and above all delicious.
The hotel also features its Azekura Japanese restaurant. Due to lack of time, we were unable to try his cuisine.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Bar
While the kids were off exploring the hotel’s treasures, we settled in at the bar counter. There weren’t many people around that day, so we were able to enjoy a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The bartender was a national cocktail champion at Marriott hotels. Jean-Maximilien will be tasting an artisanal Japanese gin, while I’ll be sampling the very good cocktail presented at the 2022 competition.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Other services
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Lounge
The JW Marriott Hotel Nara features an executive lounge exclusively for members with platinum status and above. The space is cozy again, in the same spirit as the rest of the hotel, with artistic touches like the wooden tables.
We returned at the end of the day for an aperitif (and a glass of champagne) before dining outside. Presentations were meticulous, with starters served in small bowls.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Swimming pool
The hotel’s indoor pool is located on the 4th floor. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is heated. Elegant, it follows the traditional style with a dark stone finish. It’s a respectable size, with an adjoining whirlpool bath. Deckchairs were laid out on either side.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Gym
Open all day, every day, the fitness room features a sauna and a wide range of cardio-vascular equipment.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – With children
Children are not forgotten at the JW Marriott Nara! When we arrived, our two children were given a nice surprise: a little explorer’s kit including a notebook and colored pencils to go on a treasure hunt through the hotel for a reward!
The front desk manager, despite his busy schedule, gave up his time to talk to us about the city, the hotel and even took the children around the hotel to help them with their treasure hunt.
Our children therefore enjoyed their stay even more than at any other hotel, and no doubt will remember the experience for a long time to come.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – Around the hotel
Nara is a historic city, as it was once the capital of Japan. We recommend spending at least one day there. I would have liked to spend two in order to take fuller advantage of the hotel’s services, such as its Spa, but also to discover the city better.
One of the hotel’s drawbacks is that it’s a bit far from certain areas to visit (we’re talking 10 minutes by car). A shuttle bus operates from Friday to Sunday.
With museums, gardens, temples, UNESCO World Heritage monuments such as the Heijö Palace and, of course, a visit to the deer and hinds, your visit to Nara is sure to be a busy one. Ideally, we recommend that you start your visits early and outside the tourist season. The sites are renowned and can quickly become crowded with tour buses.
Finally, respect nature and animals. Be careful with children: hinds and stags can sometimes push them around.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara – My overall impression
The JW Marriott Hotel Nara left us with a wonderful impression. The premises are magnificent, in keeping with the beauty of the city, and the services offered are of a high standard. We would like to thank the JW team for their warm welcome and kindness throughout our stay.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.