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Recommended Kyoto Hotels

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The Millennials Kyoto
4.7/545 Reviews

The Millennials Kyoto

Kyoto|0.26km from Pontocho Alley
The concept of this hostel is great - something better and more inclusive than a capsule hotel with large, comfortable beds. Pros: The common area and kitchen were really nice, and the free beer hour provided a great way to connect with other travelers. The common area has huge windows looking onto downtown Kyoto. The staff were all super friendly and helpful and spoke English. You are given a keycard for access to the bed floors and after hours. You need to reserve breakfast the day before, but it's right next to St Marcs Cafe which I thought was a great option, so IMO you don't need to use the hostel's breakfast. The showers were good, and I never saw them full despite a lot of people staying here at this time. The laundry machine seemed easy to use as well. The location in downtown Kyoto is obviously great and close to bus stops to reach popular temples on the east side. Cons: The only problem I faced was that the iPod to control my bed and lights rarely worked! The first night, I was unable to recline the bed into sleeping mode or turn off the lights, so staff had to come reset something on top of the pod to get it to connect. It stopped working again after that, and I could not turn the lights on in the morning. I also did not get to use the special wake-up features. Because my stay was only a few days and I wasn't spending leisure time in the pod, I decided to just deal with the unlit pod. Also, I was the only person who I spoke with who had this issue. But the hotel should improve the engineering of the iPod controllers or provide backup physical controls on the side. This wasn't an issue for me, but my medium-sized suitcase would not fit in the pull-out luggage rack under the bed. I had to keep the suitcase closed and on its side between the luggage rack and the screen. I don't think that travelers with large suitcases would be able to fit them in the pod, you'd probably have to find an empty corner in the hallway. Overall, I would recommend staying here, just hope you aren't the unlucky one who gets assigned to a broken pod.
Gion Yoshiima
4.3/513 Reviews

Gion Yoshiima

Higashiyama Kyoto|0.27km from Pontocho Alley
My final stop on my maiden voyage to Japan. Again, I will say, I could not have chosen a more perfect place to stay in Kyoto. Tomoko is the star of this show! Removed shoes immediately upon arrival, as my hostess, Tomoko, was cleaning the WHEELS of my luggage. She took me to my room, which was allll the way at the end of the ryokan and up the stairs. Poor thing had to lift my heavy heavy bag up the stairs and even though we could not fully communicate verbally, we laughed and laughed about how strong she is for 75 years old. Unbelievable! She showed me to my room. Loved the tatami mats, and the table and chair were set up for dinner en suite. We set a time for dinner and I decided to take a walk to the Yasaka Pagoda in the meantime. I visited the Yasaka shrine, followed by the exquisite and grandiose Yasaka pagoda and made it back just in time for dinner service in the room. Tomoko is seriously the most precious hostess I have ever had in all my travels. We could not really communicate, although she could speak a LITTLE English, while I can speak literally no Japanese other than hello and thank you, yet we just laughed and laughed every time she came into the room. She was so cute and obviously works so hard. It was so fantastic to spend time with her. Dinner was interesting and delicious. I loved the whole experience. After dinner, I was lucky enough to get a private tour and history lesson from the owner himself, Hiro, inside the small traditional tea house on site. Such a special treat to learn about the history and important of tea ceremonies in Japan! After which, I took a soak in the bath before heading out to explore Kyoto by night (at the advice of the owner, Hiro). The bath was just what I needed to refresh the spirit and get my second (or third) wind for the day. I walked and walked and walked and walked some more and found everything Hiro told me to look for. Kyoto is just as beautiful at night as it is in the daylight, if not more so. Pontocho Alley was fascinating and sooo cool! I got back to the ryokan, absolutely exhausted, just before midnight. I literally could not take one more step. I got to my room and Tomoko had changed the room over for sleeping. The table and chair were put away and the futon mattress and comforter were all ready and waiting for me in the beautifully dimly lit room. When I arrived, I noticed that Tomoko had left a little note wishing me good sleep, and a piece of fruit for a late night snack. Breakfast seemed to come way too quickly after my late night of exploring. But it was worth it to see Tomoko again and try all the interesting and delicious Japanese style breakfast items. I made sure to take a stroll through the on-site Zen garden, admiring the fountains, statues, and fauna. Everything just flows so well … so peaceful, yet so invigorating. I will do whatever it takes to come back to Kyoto again for a longer stay here at Yoshi-Ima Ryokan! Arigato to Hiro and Tomoko for being so wonderful to me durin

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Reviews for Kyoto Hotels

Searching for hotels near Pontocho Alley? Compare room rates and reviews to find your ideal stay.
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
4.5/5616 Reviews
Best location hotel so far. Located between two subway station. Center of kyoto shopping street. Nice and clean facilities. I like the view from our room this was surplus. Will definitely come back to stay here again.
UNIZO INN Kyoto Kawaramachi Shijo
4.4/577 Reviews
Located in Shijo Kawaramachi, an arcade, you can go without getting wet in the rain! The building is new and clean. Amenity goods are also available at a minimum, so it's good. The front desk is always called with a bell because there are no people. Are you adjusting the number of people due to the corona disaster?
THE GATE HOTEL KYOTO TAKASEGAWA by HULIC
4.7/5305 Reviews
The location is excellent and right in the downtown of Kyoto but not in the front street which will be too crowded and noisy, still there were some noisy from the restaurants and bar nearby which still played loud music even after 12:00AM, so not ideal for those people who needs total silence to sleep. This is probably the necessary evil when live in the downtown hotel, but the hotel is already in the back alley so felt a bit better. Cannot consider the service top quality since the hotel front desk is located at 8th floor, and there is only one person tending the luggage at ground level till 6PM, so no service can be offered at ground level, this is the part can improve since some of the high floor hotel do have ground floor service crew unless in a big commercial building complex. The room is nicely decorated and everything feels new, no complaint about the room. Although the breakfast is a bit disappointed given the very limited selection of foods and Japanese style breakfast can only offer limited number (25 serving per day?), this part can definitely make some improvement, at least inform the guest about the limited number so we can book in advance.
Rinn Gion Shirakawa
4.5/541 Reviews
Higashiyama
The room is relatively large, but it is too dark in the room, and the windows are just decorations, which are useless at all. Very quiet, not noisy at all, slept well, the bathroom is very comfortable to take a shower, but the automatic flushing of the toilet is too loud. There are many foreigners. The hotel is very stingy, you can only go to the front desk to get 2 coffee capsules every day, and don't give more. Be sure to book a room in advance. If you need to stay temporarily, the price will be outrageous. If you need to stay temporarily, it is best to change to another hotel.
Hotel Alza Kyoto
4.7/553 Reviews
Higashiyama
This was by far our favorite hotel in our 2 weeks in Japan. They were very nice and helpful, let us check in early, and made luggage forwarding easy. Plus, the room had lots of great amenities, including a balcony and an incredible tub (the microbubbles were a life saver after a long day of walking!) The face masks were a nice bonus, since my skin did not take to Japan very well. And breakfast was amazing, and served in the room, every morning. On top of all that, the location is amazing: overlooking the river, extremely close to Pontocho, only a few blocks from a major train station.
Resi Stay Gion
4.7/52 Reviews
Higashiyama
The advantages and disadvantages are very obvious. The hotel is located in the picturesque three-jobs of Kyoto. In the spring of cherry blossoms, it is really five steps and one scene. Walking in the Japanese drama, I want to stop and take pictures after two steps. The hotel itself is a traditional Japanese-style two-story residential building in Kyoto, which has been transformed into two rooms on the first and second floors. The second floor is very large, and the two bedrooms can accommodate 5-6 people, which is very suitable for family travel. The room is full of Kyoto style and the experience is great. There are two shortcomings, one is that the health is worrying, the carpet, washing machine, curtains and other places are very unclean, and the maintenance is very poor. In addition, check in is also very troublesome. It is necessary to check in by yourself near Kyoto Station. If it is more than 8 pm, it is quite troublesome. Hotel prices are expensive, may be related to supply and demand, after all, Kyoto is full of tourists in spring

Frequently Asked Questions

More about Kyoto

Introduction to Kyoto

As the former imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto effortlessly blends the old with the new. This city in the Kansai region is renowned for its well-preserved temples, stunning gardens, traditional teahouses, and the historic geisha district of Gion.

Tips for Travelling to Kyoto

Travelers usually fly into Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport before making their way to Kyoto by train or bus. The city has an efficient network of buses and trains, including a subway system.

The official currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Credit cards are accepted in many places, but cash is still commonly used. Japanese is the primary language spoken, though English is understood in many tourist areas.

Visa policies vary based on nationality and duration of stay, so it is advisable to check prior to your visit.

Popular Attractions in Kyoto

Kyoto is home to an array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Wander around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or take a walk through the historic streets of Gion.

Don't forget to visit Nijo Castle and the Philosopher's Path, especially during cherry blossom season.

Weather, Best Time to Visit, and What to Wear

Kyoto experiences four distinct seasons: humid summers, chilly winters, and mild springs and autumns. The city is particularly popular during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when cherry blossoms and autumn leaves transform the landscape.

Given the varied climate, clothing should be season appropriate. Comfortable shoes are essential for temple hopping.

Choosing Your Ideal Hotel in Kyoto

For a luxury stay, consider the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto or the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. Budget travelers might opt for Piece Hostel Sanjo, known for its great location and friendly staff.

The M's Inn Higashiyama offers an Instagram-worthy experience with its modern design, while the Kyoto Granbell Hotel is a great option for those seeking proximity to the Gion district.

Why Plan Your Kyoto Trip with Trip.com

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