This large, 499-room Westin has served as a hotel since 1900 and has an illustrious history, housing Allied officers during World War II, and now hosting state officials from all over the world. It’s set in the Kyoto’s charming Higashiyama district, at the foot of the Kyoto’s eastern mountains and is surrounded by beautiful Japanese-style gardens. The location is a bit removed from the city center, which is about 20 minutes by public transportation, though it's within walking distance of temples and museums. The hotel also runs a free shuttle to the Gion district and Kyoto station. There are several on-site restaurants, including one where guests cook food in traditional Japanese hot pots, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and a spa. Some parts of the building are a little dated, but it’s a nice option for travelers who appreciate history and the natural surroundings.
This large, 499-room Westin has served as a hotel since 1900 and has an illustrious history, housing Allied officers during World War II, and now hosting state officials from all over the world. It’s set in the Kyoto’s charming Higashiyama district, at the foot of the Kyoto’s eastern mountains and is surrounded by beautiful Japanese-style gardens. The location is a bit removed from the city center, which is about 20 minutes by public transportation, though it's within walking distance of temples and museums. The hotel also runs a free shuttle to the Gion district and Kyoto station. There are several on-site restaurants, including one where guests cook food in traditional Japanese hot pots, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and a spa. Some parts of the building are a little dated, but it’s a nice option for travelers who appreciate history and the natural surroundings.
Conveniently located next to Kyoto's local bus station, the 31-room, upper-middle-range Hotel Kyoto Eminence has traditional Japanese furnishings and two distinctive amenities: a hot spring spa and a bowling alley. The hotel’s relaxing jetted tubs and polished lanes make the destination popular among Kyoto residents. The rooms are simple and could use a refresh, yet do come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Guests seeking more contemporary design may want to consider the Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto, where rooms and common areas are up-to-date and modern.
Conveniently located next to Kyoto's local bus station, the 31-room, upper-middle-range Hotel Kyoto Eminence has traditional Japanese furnishings and two distinctive amenities: a hot spring spa and a bowling alley. The hotel’s relaxing jetted tubs and polished lanes make the destination popular among Kyoto residents. The rooms are simple and could use a refresh, yet do come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Guests seeking more contemporary design may want to consider the Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto, where rooms and common areas are up-to-date and modern.
With a history dating back to 1818, the luxury Hiiragiya is a Japanese inn ("ryokan") located in the middle of Kyoto that takes pride in upholding traditional customs. Its 28 rooms are individually designed and most have customary rice-straw floor mats, low-rise furniture, screen walls, and sliding doors. Modern conveniences include minibars, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary bathrooms with showers and bathtubs. Kyoto-style Kaiseki meals are served in rooms or the on-site restaurant (two meals are included in rates). Travelers looking for Western amenities such as a gym or business center may be disappointed, but those who appreciate the ryokan experience will find Hiiragiya an impressive example. The nearby Hotel Granvia Kyoto offers modern luxury features at lower rates, but it lacks the history and culture.
With a history dating back to 1818, the luxury Hiiragiya is a Japanese inn ("ryokan") located in the middle of Kyoto that takes pride in upholding traditional customs. Its 28 rooms are individually designed and most have customary rice-straw floor mats, low-rise furniture, screen walls, and sliding doors. Modern conveniences include minibars, free Wi-Fi, and contemporary bathrooms with showers and bathtubs. Kyoto-style Kaiseki meals are served in rooms or the on-site restaurant (two meals are included in rates). Travelers looking for Western amenities such as a gym or business center may be disappointed, but those who appreciate the ryokan experience will find Hiiragiya an impressive example. The nearby Hotel Granvia Kyoto offers modern luxury features at lower rates, but it lacks the history and culture.
Located outside the city center near the Kamo River, the upscale Seikoro Inn is a "ryokan," a traditional Japanese inn with dedicated in-room service, communal baths, and guidelines that guests are expected to follow. Opened in 1831, this 22-room hotel reflects a traditional Japanese aesthetic, with bamboo, woven elements, a trove of antiques, and a serene garden. Rooms are spacious and spartan, with floor cushions and tatami mat beds made up on the floor, but modern additions like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi can also be found. For some, a stay here is relaxing and a rich cultural experience; others feel oppressed by the lack of privacy and underwhelmed by the facilities given the high cost. Those who want the ryokan experience at a lower price point could consider the Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo.
Located outside the city center near the Kamo River, the upscale Seikoro Inn is a "ryokan," a traditional Japanese inn with dedicated in-room service, communal baths, and guidelines that guests are expected to follow. Opened in 1831, this 22-room hotel reflects a traditional Japanese aesthetic, with bamboo, woven elements, a trove of antiques, and a serene garden. Rooms are spacious and spartan, with floor cushions and tatami mat beds made up on the floor, but modern additions like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi can also be found. For some, a stay here is relaxing and a rich cultural experience; others feel oppressed by the lack of privacy and underwhelmed by the facilities given the high cost. Those who want the ryokan experience at a lower price point could consider the Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo.
Opened in 2014, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei is a modern, upper-middle-range property in north central Kyoto. Its sleek restaurant, with views of a Japanese garden, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the traditional communal bath is free for guests. The 129 modern rooms feature a blend of Japanese and Western touches -- but the frosted shoji-inspired windows limit views and, since they're curtainless, the amount of natural light that's let in -- guests complain that it's either too much or too little. But rates here are lower, and its rooms are more up to date, than those at the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo.
Opened in 2014, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei is a modern, upper-middle-range property in north central Kyoto. Its sleek restaurant, with views of a Japanese garden, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the traditional communal bath is free for guests. The 129 modern rooms feature a blend of Japanese and Western touches -- but the frosted shoji-inspired windows limit views and, since they're curtainless, the amount of natural light that's let in -- guests complain that it's either too much or too little. But rates here are lower, and its rooms are more up to date, than those at the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo.
Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is a traditional Japanese-style inn, or “ryokan," located in a quiet neighborhood outside Kyoto city center. This three-and-a-half pearl property, with 18 rooms, has a lovely rustic atmosphere, and the traditional guest rooms, lined with woven straw tatami floor mats, overlook a beautiful Japanese rock garden. In keeping with the usual ryokan setup, this property has an on-site restaurant and a traditional public bath (“onsen"). Guest rooms vary in size, and not all rooms have their own private bathrooms, and some rooms are a bit worn and could use an update. Travelers may want to also check out ryokan IZUYASU, another traditional Japanese-style inn, which was stylishly refurbished in 2013, and is in the city center.
Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo is a traditional Japanese-style inn, or “ryokan," located in a quiet neighborhood outside Kyoto city center. This three-and-a-half pearl property, with 18 rooms, has a lovely rustic atmosphere, and the traditional guest rooms, lined with woven straw tatami floor mats, overlook a beautiful Japanese rock garden. In keeping with the usual ryokan setup, this property has an on-site restaurant and a traditional public bath (“onsen"). Guest rooms vary in size, and not all rooms have their own private bathrooms, and some rooms are a bit worn and could use an update. Travelers may want to also check out ryokan IZUYASU, another traditional Japanese-style inn, which was stylishly refurbished in 2013, and is in the city center.
This three-and-a-half-pear hotel is popular with families looking for relatively spacious rooms in the central Nakagyo Ward. Located near a major road junction, there’s a good range of public transport links with Omiya Train Station a five-minute walk away, and several subway stops nearby. The 81 rooms are minimal and modern, but quite dark, and all have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and kettles. They come in a blend of Japanese style rooms and Western-Japanese hybrids. There’s no full-sized pool, but a small onsen area with steam room is a relaxing addition. Breakfast bento boxes are available via room service (for a fee), but there's no on-site restaurant. Visitors looking for a family-friendly hotel that serves free breakfast might try Kyoto Hotel Okura instead.
This three-and-a-half-pear hotel is popular with families looking for relatively spacious rooms in the central Nakagyo Ward. Located near a major road junction, there’s a good range of public transport links with Omiya Train Station a five-minute walk away, and several subway stops nearby. The 81 rooms are minimal and modern, but quite dark, and all have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and kettles. They come in a blend of Japanese style rooms and Western-Japanese hybrids. There’s no full-sized pool, but a small onsen area with steam room is a relaxing addition. Breakfast bento boxes are available via room service (for a fee), but there's no on-site restaurant. Visitors looking for a family-friendly hotel that serves free breakfast might try Kyoto Hotel Okura instead.
The Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo is a mid-range chain hotel in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku/Sanjo area, just a 10-minute train ride to Kyoto Station. All 169 simple, but modern, rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. The dining room offers a breakfast buffet with hot and cold options alongside gorgeous garden views, and while there’s no pool or fitness center, the hotel has a free traditional communal bath that stays open late. Guests should compare rates with Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei, a sister property that has similar features and lower rates.
The Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo is a mid-range chain hotel in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku/Sanjo area, just a 10-minute train ride to Kyoto Station. All 169 simple, but modern, rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. The dining room offers a breakfast buffet with hot and cold options alongside gorgeous garden views, and while there’s no pool or fitness center, the hotel has a free traditional communal bath that stays open late. Guests should compare rates with Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei, a sister property that has similar features and lower rates.
Ibis Styles Kyoto Station is a two-pearl located just next to the city's main train station, offering excellent transportation links throughout the city. The 215 guest rooms are compact but comfortable with a chic, subdued style, and all come equipped with useful amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. Breakfast is free, but the breakfast room gets easily crowded. For a budget hotel, rates are comparatively high; travelers may want to compare rates and features with the Nearby Kyoto Tower Hotel, an upper-middle-range hotel that offers better value for money, with contemporary guest rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a sky lounge with scenic views.
Ibis Styles Kyoto Station is a two-pearl located just next to the city's main train station, offering excellent transportation links throughout the city. The 215 guest rooms are compact but comfortable with a chic, subdued style, and all come equipped with useful amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. Breakfast is free, but the breakfast room gets easily crowded. For a budget hotel, rates are comparatively high; travelers may want to compare rates and features with the Nearby Kyoto Tower Hotel, an upper-middle-range hotel that offers better value for money, with contemporary guest rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a sky lounge with scenic views.
The 172-room upper-middle-range Royal Park Hotel is located in the heart of Kyoto within walking distance of popular attractions, restaurants, and public transportation. There's eye-catching art and design throughout the hotel, and a simple elegance to its common areas. Rooms are typically small, but modern and fresh, with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. The on-site restaurant offers Japanese and western fare, and the bar is a hip place for a drink. There's a floor for women only, an on-site laundry room, and a room for smokers. As an alternative, the Almont Hotel Kyoto has similar amenities with the addition of a communal bath and a library.
The 172-room upper-middle-range Royal Park Hotel is located in the heart of Kyoto within walking distance of popular attractions, restaurants, and public transportation. There's eye-catching art and design throughout the hotel, and a simple elegance to its common areas. Rooms are typically small, but modern and fresh, with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. The on-site restaurant offers Japanese and western fare, and the bar is a hip place for a drink. There's a floor for women only, an on-site laundry room, and a room for smokers. As an alternative, the Almont Hotel Kyoto has similar amenities with the addition of a communal bath and a library.