Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

The setting inside a Buddhist temple is gorgeous. There’s incense in the lobby, though not on the guest floors, in case that scent bothers you. My room was spacious and had a fridge. The windows have screens that let light in but no view, which didn’t bother me. The onsen was beautiful and relaxing, though smaller and more tattoo-friendly than some of the Mitsui Tokyo locations. Staff were as friendly and helpful as ever. There are two stamps by the front for collectors. The location is a standout: under five minutes from lots of train stations, including one with a direct Osaka connection, four minutes from Nishiki Market, and five to eight minutes from Gion. There’s no laundry on-site, but Fuwarabo handled laundry delivery wonderfully. I’d absolutely recommend it.

Everyone was welcoming and kind, and the service really stood out. They paid close attention to what we needed. I’d recommend the breakfast too, a lovely added touch. The location was great, about a 10-minute walk from Nishiki market, though there’s no free parking.

The breakfast was very good, and the women at the front desk were responsive about the sheets and apologized, even though it wasn’t their fault. They were a real bright spot. Still, my first night in Kyoto was pretty unpleasant. I found human body hair in both beds, which surprised me at a four-star hotel. The concierge didn’t speak English, which I understand in Japan, but acted as if he understood when I asked him to check a restaurant’s availability. He said there were seats, but the place was full when I got there. After a long travel day, I’d wasted an hour walking for nothing. The whole experience fell short of what I expected from a four-star property, and I’m not sure I’d return.

We found the hotel and our room really lovely and spacious, and the onsen was the nicest we’ve used so far. Even the hair dryers in the changing rooms were amazing. The staff were so helpful and friendly, including arranging our luggage transfers. It’s right by the shopping center and Nishiki market, with Gion a 10-15 minute walk away and some great restaurants nearby. Despite being so central, the hotel and room were very quiet. I’d really recommend it for Kyoto.