ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto by IHG

We booked at the last minute, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. From outside the hotel looks unassuming, but inside we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful finishes, quality, staff, and restaurants. The Chinese food and tapping were fantastic. It’s very quiet and the location makes it easy to get around. The beds were the most comfortable, the linens were high quality, and the bathroom was very luxurious. I don’t usually write reviews, but this place deserves one!

The front desk staff were professional and helpful, but we ran into several problems that left our stay at about a two-star level for us. The Kyoto Station shuttle was nice, though it didn’t run often enough, and we had to take a taxi three out of four times. They managed to provide a crib for our toddler starting on day two, but even after contacting IHG customer service and emailing back and forth with the hotel, it still wasn’t ready. The crib we got had loose screws, so it was dangerous to use with the rails up. We also rely on same-day luggage delivery in Japan. We requested same-day service and signed the form in Japanese, but the hotel staff seemed to think next-day delivery was fine. By the time we reached Osaka, we were told the luggage, which contained all our maternity and baby essentials, would arrive the next day. The staff were nice, and I wish I could have given five stars, but the experience didn’t come close.

Our room looked straight onto the castle, which made for a unique view and some enjoyable people-watching. We loved the spacious bathroom and its layout. The neighborhood is quiet and tranquil, with a train station nearby and several restaurants in the area. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

This works really well for travelers wanting comfortable Western-style accommodation in Kyoto and convenient transport. It’s also a good fit if you plan to explore by foot, subway, or bus. It may be less suitable if you’re after a luxury boutique feel or expecting a top-tier spa or other amenities. We couldn’t complain.