Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo by IHG

The lobby looks polished and modern, and upkeep and service were solid throughout my stay. I had no operational issues. The rooms, though, are compact even by Japan standards. With luggage and a few cities on the itinerary, there’s little room to unpack or reset. It works for a short stay, but isn’t comfortable if you need space. The location is convenient for reaching key areas, and I chose the hotel partly for its central position and reliable brand. For the price, though, I expected more, especially compared with places in Japan offering more room or a more distinctive experience. I’d return only if the price were more competitive. Best suited to short visits or business trips where location matters most, less so for families or travelers expecting luggage space and better value.

We stayed two nights, November 27-29, 2025, with two rooms for four people. The hotel was nice and clean, smelled good, and had a good fitness room and a public bath on the rooftop. A convenience store is nearby. Kiyomizudera is 2.5 km away. I ran there in about 30 minutes at night during the special season when the temple stayed open until 9 for the autumn illumination. Staff on both day and night shifts communicated well in English. After checkout I realized I’d left my LV sunglasses case in the room. I called, and they searched but couldn’t find it. Two or three hours later I drove back and showed them a picture of the case. They found it among the lost items, wrapped it carefully, and returned it. When I asked what would happen if I had already left Kyoto, they said they’d send it to my next hotel in Osaka. That was very good service.

For a four-star hotel, this felt more functional than premium, and I’d probably stay closer to Kyoto Kawaramachi if I returned. The location seemed inconvenient compared with other parts of Kyoto. Although the hotel has been remodeled, parts still feel dated, especially the old elevators and bathrooms, which creaked constantly. I had a Single Cozy room with an extremely small bathroom and almost nowhere to open or store luggage comfortably. Breakfast was average and forgettable. It comes across more like a three-star than a four-star hotel.

Our suite was quiet, comfortable, very spacious, clean, and had all the amenities we needed. We found it handy to refill drinking water in the corridor, and the hotel also has laundry and vending machines. Check-in went smoothly, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The location is convenient, and the hotel is fairly new. Breakfast was average, though there were plenty of choices. A good-value IHG stay overall, with comfort, cleanliness, and convenience.