Kyoto hotels

[LadyC]

The gentleman and I are off to HK and Japan in April. We are planning on spending a few days in Kyoto and I was wondering if anyone had any hotel recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Hvr]

I stayed here in 2011 and found it perfectly adequate. It is across the road from the railway station so very convenient for both local trains and the Shinkansen. The hotel is well signed so easy to find.

HOTEL VISTA KYOTO HACHIJOHGUCHI

The entrance is a couple of floors up from the ground and it is close to everything.

And if you like steam trains this is the place to go in Kyoto. Modern Transportation Museum : Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum

 

[moa999]

For modern and above the station (but still quiet)
HOTEL GRANVIA KYOTO | Official Site

 

[Hvr]

I have stayed there as well and it was quite quiet. But a bit more expensive than the Vista which is actually on the other side of Kyoto station.

 

[reductionist]

I stayed here with my better half in the middle of last year and it was quite good:

RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto ? Luxury Hotels Kyoto

It is very close to a bicycle hire place, which is the best way to get around Kyoto I think. Most of the things you'll want to see are quite far apart and not necessarily within walking distance or conveniently connected with public transport.

 

[Skyring]

I stayed here in 2011 and found it perfectly adequate. It is across the road from the railway station so very convenient for both local trains and the Shinkansen. The hotel is well signed so easy to find.

HOTEL VISTA KYOTO HACHIJOHGUCHI

The entrance is a couple of floors up from the ground and it is close to everything.

My wife and I staid at the Vista in 2010. It's a long way across the station - one ginormous station - from the Kansai shuttle, and we got lost a couple of times, but realistically all we had to do was just head for the opposite entrance,

Rooms are smallish, like most Japanese hotels, but comfortable, and the location was great, with trains and buses everywhere. Breakfast was a new adventure each morning, with some staples becoming old friends, and some fresh dishes appearing as surprises.

Perhaps the most fun lay in simply exploring the station each evening when we went looking for dinner. Some odd little shops - hell, even a supermarket is a magic kingdom - and a vast number of little hideaway restaurants. The best find was a pub which specialised in okonomaki (sp?) the local pizza/noodley thing, and that was just across the road from the hotel.

That was in April. The sakura were blossoming along the Philosopher's Walk and it was delightful. Crowded but delightful. Our brief visit coincided with an open day at the Imperial Palace, and that was awesome. I love the way that the Japanese do these most elegant temples and gardens and palaces, next door to higgledy-piggledy shops and apartments and urban ugliness.

I got a souvenir mug from the Starbucks on the northern side of the station, where the bus terminal and temple lie, and it is my favorite of all my collection. Every now and then I'll brew a coffee and sip it from the mug, remembering three days of sweet holiday.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes spacious room in central Kyoto

Kyoto Hotel Okura (Japan): See 332 Reviews and 130 Photos - TripAdvisor

sits on top of subway and shops. Veryclean and central. Would stay there again

 

[LadyC]

Thanks for the suggestions. I especially like the idea of renting a bicycle and riding around.

 

[reductionist]

Thanks for the suggestions. I especially like the idea of renting a bicycle and riding around.

Just a quick follow up.

Here's a map of the hotel I mentioned, and also the bicycle hire place. As you can see they are both close to Kyoto station.

Unknown road to kctp - Google Maps

Bicycle hire web site: Kyoto Cycling Tour Project - Access

If you happen to arrive at Kyoto station with a lot of luggage they do have a bus shuttle service from the station. We did not use it however so I can't tell you how often they run.