5-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

This is a long-established hotel, very close to Kyoto Station, the city's main transportation hub. The rooms are spacious with large windows that let in plenty of light. For breakfast, you have a choice of two restaurants: one is a rotating restaurant on a high floor with great views, offering a set menu. The other is a buffet on the first floor with a very rich selection. The downsides are the lack of laundry facilities, the bathroom isn't wet/dry separated, and the room lighting is a bit dim.

This morning, while stretching, I was reminded of my mornings doing yoga at the Gate Hotel, and some snippets of my stay there. Suddenly, I understood why I liked this hotel so much. It's because it reminded me of my time at drama school! This trip to Kyoto, we first stayed at Takasegawa for three days. I chose it because it's convenient for getting around and close to a shopping center, making it easy for Auntie Yang, who has mobility issues, to get around. The result? My mom was very happy, and I was even happier! The very next day, I WeChat-messaged my girlfriend, telling her I'd found the perfect hotel for her in Kyoto – you can do yoga, practice calligraphy, there's a co-working space, and you can stroll by the river anytime. It's practically a 1:1 replica of your downtime routine in Beijing! And why did I like it so much? Because it genuinely transported me back to the Nanluoguxiang area twenty years ago! The Takasegawa and Pontocho in the early morning, completely devoid of tourists, with only small vans parked on the side of the road delivering to restaurants, like an abrupt silence in the midst of boisterous laughter. It was the same scene and feeling on countless mornings when I walked through Luoguxiang and the hutongs towards Shichahai. The Kamo River in the morning is still quiet, just like Houhai in the morning; it still belongs only to those who live by it day in and day out. The hotel's lounge is on an upper floor, offering views of the entire Higashiyama area, with beautiful moments both morning and evening. In early summer, there's nothing more blissful than sitting outdoors, sipping coffee, and reading. When I was in school, I often did the same during this season: I'd take a book and a water bottle up to the top of my dorm building, looking out at the Drum and Bell Tower, which seemed to float above a sea of green waves in the distance. And those couples sunbathing on the sports field, the teenagers practicing kendama in the shade, the groups of friends chatting on the steps – that's the view I used to have from the third floor of my dorm: musical theater students doing acrobatic flips on the field, now-famous celebrities shooting hoops alone on a half-shaded court, classmates engrossed in conversation on benches with books. It even has a library and a 'study room'! The lounge on the third floor, in particular, brought back memories of the 'small garden' at my East Campus. It's that perfect spot where, when you return at night and don't want to go out again but still crave some outdoor time, you can sit there with a bonfire, drinking tea and listening to music. Now, I want to explore more hotels converted from old schools when I travel to other places!

The room is quite spacious, and the transportation is very convenient, with a subway station not far away. The most convenient part is the hotel's shuttle bus, which departs for Kyoto Station at 55 minutes past the hour, making it easy to explore nearby attractions. It returns from Kyoto Station at 25 minutes past the hour. The driver was very steady and polite. The breakfast was especially good; the hotel offers a wide variety, including Wagyu beef, grilled salmon, and both rice porridge and Western-style buffet options. The fruit was fresh every day, with sweet strawberries and pineapples. The downside is that the laundry room was under renovation when I visited, so self-service laundry wasn't available. Also, I noticed a lingering smell of renovation, perhaps because the room hasn't been occupied much, leading to less ventilation. The surrounding environment is very quiet.

This was our first time staying in the Gion area, and Hotel the Celestine truly elevated the experience. The atmosphere is calm, elegant and very Kyoto. From check in to departure, everything felt smooth and professionally handled. The cleanliness was impeccable. The room was thoughtfully arranged with a perfect balance of modern comfort and traditional Japanese touches. Beds were extremely comfortable and the space felt well planned, not cramped like many city hotels. What makes this hotel special is the location. Stepping outside places you immediately in the charm of old Kyoto. Walking through Gion in the early morning before the crowds arrive was unforgettable. Service deserves special mention. The team was polite, warm and always ready to assist with genuine hospitality. A beautiful property for anyone who appreciates quiet luxury in a prime cultural setting. We would gladly stay again.

The hotel's location is fantastic! The design is also very modern and forward-thinking. The front desk and concierge staff were all incredibly enthusiastic and always attentive to whether we needed any assistance. It was a very satisfying stay. We stayed in Japan for 7 nights and switched between 3 hotels, and this was by far the most satisfying five-star hotel experience!

This hotel exceeded my expectations! The room was larger than average and exceptionally clean, with a separate shower and bathtub. The Refa showerhead and hairdryer were a nice touch and worked great. The room had modern amenities, and the trash bins were emptied promptly. The hotel's location is super convenient. There are many designer shops and delicious restaurants nearby, and it's just a short walk to Nishiki Market. Karasuma Oike Station is also right next door, offering direct access to Shijo and Kyoto Station. I was really satisfied with my stay; it offers excellent value for money! I highly recommend the wagyu BBQ restaurant next to the hotel (Wagyu Yakiniku Horumon Sankichi). The owner and staff were very friendly, the wagyu quality was superb, and the set menus were great value, plus you can enjoy all-you-can-drink!

The room was very quiet, and the blackout curtains worked perfectly. The staff were super friendly and helpful; they even offered me an umbrella when it rained without asking for my room number, which was a lovely gesture and reminded me of the grand service of yesteryear. It's an easy walk to the bustling downtown area. Right next to the hotel is Foguang Temple, which has two huge ginkgo trees and is surprisingly peaceful with hardly any tourists.

My stay at the Hilton Kyoto was absolutely delightful. The hotel perfectly blends modern comfort with Japanese aesthetics; the design is minimalist yet refined. The room was spacious, well-lit, and impeccably clean, making for an excellent stay. Located in the heart of the city, it's right next to a subway station, and within walking distance of the Shijo shopping district and the dining streets along the Kamo River, offering unparalleled convenience for getting around, sightseeing, and shopping. It offers great value for money and comfort—highly recommended!

The hotel entrance isn't huge, but the 4th-floor reception area has a wonderful design with lots of greenery, bringing you closer to nature. It's a really comfortable spot to just sit and relax. The room itself is spacious and comfortable, and importantly, it has a small balcony that lets in natural breezes. Having fresh, circulating air in the room is incredibly important to me. There was a short-haired lady at the front desk who was exceptionally kind and thoughtful. When I checked my luggage, she noticed that what I'd bought was a cream roll and thoughtfully offered to refrigerate it for me. She also gave us a warm farewell when we left. Although I'm not entirely sure if she was trying to communicate with me in Chinese because I couldn't hear very well with her mask on. There are some downsides, though. Even on the 8th floor, I was still bothered by motorcycle noise every night. I'm a light sleeper by nature, so I didn't get good rest those two nights.

So I want to start but saying this hotel is considered luxury and in the pricier side for Kyoto walking distance to Gion. Our room was big and the bed comfy. Hotel decor is stunning and the staff are nice. I liked the 12pm checkout which I really think should be compulsory. And the pajamas and robes were lovely. Complimentary coffee and snacks every day as a nice touch. We did not have breakfast as it was very expensive in comparison to other places in the area plus we wanted to explore The only problem I had with this hotel was the price we paid to have 1 very small bag of underwear, socks and few t shirts washed and dried. Considering most hotels offer a laundry room inside their hotel, we thought this would be the case when reception said housekeeping take washing by 8am every morning. We did not expect this service to be free but it was £75.00 ( approx 16,000 yen) Our laundry bag was 100% missing the pricing sheet. So i was so shocked by this. Japan does not take too well to complaints so I swallowed the cost due to misunderstanding. So unless you want s huge bill. Take laundry elsewhere!!! I would stay again as like the quietness of this hotel and it has a beautiful ambience. You can also cross the bridge to the river restaurants very easily too. Kyoto is simply stunning and this hotel ticks lots of boxes .