4-Star Hotels in Kyoto

This onsen hotel in Kyoto was a delightful find. It's just one stop from Kyoto Station, and only 200 meters from the exit, making it super convenient. As a traditional Japanese onsen hotel, guests can enjoy complimentary access to both public and private hot spring baths, available 24 hours a day. They even offer complimentary ramen as a late-night snack after 9 PM, which is a lovely touch. There's a 7-Eleven right outside and a bus stop nearby, making it easy to get around and explore areas like Kawaramachi for shopping and dining. Highly recommended, I'd definitely stay here again.

The room's cleanliness was, as always, excellent, and it was quite spacious. We booked a twin room, and the beds could be pushed together. However, the bathroom was exceptionally small, making it difficult to place toiletries, including cups and razors, freely. There's a self-service laundry room and an ice machine. The room only provides two bottles of water, and there's no water purifier. Although the bathroom sign indicates the water is drinkable, it actually has a strong chlorine smell, which persists even after boiling. This isn't very practical for those accustomed to bottled mineral water or water purifiers in their home country. All toiletries were provided, but I have two main complaints: the toothpaste came in a tiny 2x1 cm paper sachet, which was incredibly inconvenient – small, hard to tear open, and difficult to squeeze out. It was quite an experience! Secondly, unlike the first hotel we stayed at, there were no bath salts provided. Transportation is extremely convenient, with Kyoto Station directly across the street. Check-in was also easy, and our luggage was automatically stored by the front desk upon arrival.

Service: The room was incredibly spacious and clean, and the staff even helped lay out the futons. The service was very warm and welcoming. Shopping: The first floor has a great selection of souvenirs and pastries. They're affordable and a bit more refined than what you'd find at Don Quijote. Plus, hotel guests get a 10% discount. Unique Experiences: You can experience a traditional tea ceremony in the lobby on the first floor, and there's a really comfortable communal bath on the basement level. Location: It's super close to Kyoto Station, just a few minutes' walk. There's also a large temple nearby. Food: There are tons of dining and shopping options around. Right across the street, there's a Kobe beef restaurant, and just a short walk away, you'll find a popular fried beef cutlet place with a long line. There are also izakayas and more. Shopping (cont.): It's also very convenient for shopping. Just a few steps away is a large multi-purpose commercial center with everything from clothing brands like Uniqlo and GU, shoe stores like ABC Mart, to stationery, cameras, electronics, and headphones.

Superb experience in Nohga. Everything here has been curated very carefully, you can tell the people or group behind this whole hotel concept really put in so much thought for their guests. Absolutely loved my entire stay here. I eat breakfast at their bakery every morning. Love their customisable bagels, mortadella sandwich, salted bun and cinnamon mochi donut. Chocolate mochi donut was a little too sweet. Americano and matcha latte were great. Thoroughly enjoyed their rooftop bar every night (opens till 12am). Awesome vibes, very romantic atmosphere. Staff are sweet, gives heat packs and blankets to keep us warm. Warm cocktails are a must during winters. You can order any random cocktails and they all taste so good. The distance from the train station to this hotel is quite a distance but I think the overall experience you get in this hotel makes the walk a worthwhile one. Def recommending this hotel to my friends who wanna come to Kyoto.

Room was clean and spacious enough for two people. There was also a table with two chairs in the room, which was very convenient for me to work at during the evenings. The staff were very kind and helpful. Complimentary amenities were available in the common area, and guests could request pajamas from the reception desk. I forgot to bring a plug adapter and asked to borrow one from the receptionist. Fortunately, they had one available and lent it to me free of charge. The location is convenient, about a 7–8 minute walk from Sanjo Station and the Kamo River. It is also close to a bus stop, about a 5-minute walk away, making it easy to get to Gion. The breakfast offered a good variety of options. There were both Japanese and international dishes, and the quality was good and well-prepared. I enjoyed staying and just realised I didnt take any photos of the room but nutto during breakfast…🤣

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a wonderful stay at Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo-Karasuma. The location is excellent—situated in a quiet and pleasant Kyoto neighborhood while being just a short walk from Karasuma Oike Station, making it easy to get around the city. There are also plenty of cafés, restaurants, convenience stores, and shopping areas nearby. The staff were exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help. Check-in and check-out were smooth, and the service throughout my stay was excellent. The room was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped. Having a washer-dryer and microwave in the room was especially convenient for a longer stay. Despite the central location, the hotel was peaceful at night, allowing for a good night’s sleep. Overall, Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo-Karasuma was the perfect base for exploring Kyoto. I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city.

Every time I visit Kyoto these past few years, I always stay at this hotel. The location is excellent, right in Sanjo Kawaramachi, very close to the Kamo River. There are tons of shopping and dining options nearby. The hygiene is good, and toiletries can be conveniently picked up from the lobby. The room attendants are warm, attentive, and polite. However, the service standard of the lobby staff has declined; they just get the job done. Also, because the hotel is in a bustling area, there's always a huge crowd coming and going, which can be a bit annoying after a while. What I really need to complain about is the duvet. The fabric isn't 100% cotton, and there's a thin sheet liner inside, so it always ends up a mess by morning. This time, I was smarter and brought my own duvet cover, but it still didn't solve the problem. When I took it apart, I realized the duvet cover and duvet weren't secured with ties. For the rest of my stay, I had to make the bed myself to sleep more comfortably.

How do I even begin to describe this? I came in with the expectation that Japanese hotels would be small, but to my surprise, this one wasn't just new, the room was actually quite spacious! It's only a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, and the price was just right. It truly was a wonderful surprise! Plus, there's a convenience store and a super delicious ramen place right downstairs. I highly, highly recommend it!

I stayed for 4 nights from January 4 to January 8, 2026. From the hotel, you can walk to Nijo Castle in about 10 minutes. There are many small convenience stores nearby (7-Eleven and the like), as well as two large supermarkets — Life is open until midnight, which is a huge plus. You can buy nice gifts for friends and family late in the evening without wasting daytime hours. The transportation access is great too: within a few minutes' walk there's a subway station and a JR line (convenient for coming from the railway station), and right next to the hotel there's a bus stop. This is important because Kyoto's sights are scattered all over the city, and you often need to use public transport or taxis. Speaking of taxis. Twice I asked the reception to call me a taxi, and both times the staff helped me — a huge thank you to them! It was especially important on the first day: thanks to a taxi, I made it to Kiyomizu-dera Temple in time and explored it without rushing. Check-in was very quick, and the staff explained where everything was. The room was quite spacious — or maybe it just felt that way. I comfortably unpacked my suitcase and took out everything I needed without feeling cramped. The room had all the essentials, and there were kettles near the elevator that you could take to your room if needed. I did, and had some tea before bed (on the first floor, you can grab a free tea bag if you don't have your own). The air conditioner worked for both cooling and heating — which was very useful on some evenings. Honestly, I only used the hotel to sleep, and it was perfectly fine. Every morning, breakfast is served on the first floor. To be honest, I expected something simple since the room rate was quite affordable. That's why the breakfast was such a pleasant surprise! My eyes wandered every morning at the variety of delicious food! A huge selection. Every day I had rice with various toppings, amazing salmon, cod, and various vegetables (the okra here was especially good). There's a small smoking room on the first floor with good ventilation. My overall impression of the hotel is extremely positive. I will definitely stay here again on my next visit to Kyoto.

The Urban Hotel is really good. There's one on Shijo and one on Gojo, and I've stayed at both. They're excellent. When I come to Kyoto, I usually choose this brand. They are very clean, and both locations have a large public bath, which I really love.