Hotel the Celestine Kyoto Gion

I booked a king-sized bed room, but when I arrived at the hotel, I was told only twin rooms were available. After some discussion, they changed it to a twin room. The mini-fridge snacks in the room were all complimentary. You can also enjoy the hot springs for free in the evening, though I didn't get around to trying it. About 80% of the guests were Westerners, and the housekeeping staff were all from Southeast Asia. The hotel staff's attitude was excellent, which I really appreciated, but I noticed their attitude was even better towards Western guests... Most people walking around seemed to be Western tourists. The hotel isn't too far from nearby attractions; walking to Shijo and Kiyomizu-dera Temple is quite manageable. If you have the means, you could hire a car to visit other attractions, but it's not very friendly for those with luggage, as the sidewalks are incredibly narrow and you have to dodge both cars and people.

This place really captures the essence of Kyoto, and it seems to be a popular choice among international travelers. I actually just popped in once to escape the rain, so I haven't stayed here myself, but I was quite impressed by the overall design. They even have a hot spring bath and kimonos available, as you can see from the photos I've shared.

This hotel is incredibly comfortable and super close to the Gion district and Yasaka Shrine – you can easily walk there. It's a bit of a distance if you're relying on public transport, but I just used Uber and it was always easy to pinpoint the location right outside. The highlight for me was definitely the large public bath (onsen)! After walking 20,000 steps every day, soaking in that bath was pure bliss and completely refreshed me. The onsen is open from 3 PM until 10 AM the next day. If you're a bit shy, heading there around 12 AM might be perfect as it's usually empty then, so you can enjoy a private soak.

This stay was incredibly good value for money, probably the best price around. The hotel's location is excellent for getting around, and breakfast is an absolute must-have. The large hot spring bath and the welcoming, jungle-themed rooms were fantastic for unwinding!

Overall, it was decent. The hot spring area was clean and peaceful, and the breakfast was acceptable with a rotating menu. The hotel staff's service attitude was okay. However, the service at Yuandong (the restaurant/facility mentioned) seemed not as good as the hotel itself; there's room for improvement there.

The service was excellent, and the hotel's location is perfect. You can easily walk to attractions like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ninenzaka. There are also convenience stores and a supermarket nearby. Plus, the hotel offers a shuttle bus service to Kyoto Station.

The hotel was beyond my expectations—absolutely perfect! It's located in the heart of Kyoto, yet it was incredibly quiet at night. The room had a lovely traditional feel. I'd definitely stay here again. Plus, they even have a happy hour!