Hotel Sugicho

We had a lovely two-night stay. The rooms were large, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were welcoming and friendly. The location is fantastic, close to restaurants, the nishiki markets, and public transport. I'd highly recommend it if you're after a lovely traditional Japanese stay.

The rooms were clean, roomy, and quite good, and I loved the public bath. The setting is convenient too, tucked away from the busy center but still close, with excellent restaurants nearby. Still, this is one of the rare times I’m leaving a neutral review. The free breakfast was forgettable, and the hotel has practically no charm. Despite the tatami, it felt more like an inexpensive modern Chinese hotel than the places we stayed elsewhere in Japan. I’d suggest it mainly for families wanting space and free stays for their kids.

The staff were amazing and went out of their way to help and accommodate us as foreigners. Getting around was easy, with trains and buses nearby for trips to the shrines or bamboo forest. Nishiki market is about a 10-minute walk, and there are plenty of tucked-away restaurants close by. It’s a good spot if you want a quieter base that’s still near the action. Highly recommend it.

The breakfast was a nice surprise, since it was included and we hadn’t even realized that when booking. We arrived three hours early, tired from traveling, and the staff got us checked in as soon as they could. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and thoughtful, from reception onward. I’d happily book here again. It’s good value in Kyoto and I’d recommend it.