Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto

I used the onsen every day, and it was always spotless and never too crowded. The rooftop bar also became part of our daily routine for a few hours: great views, fairly priced drinks, and drink coupons when you arrive. It’s a very convenient central spot in Kyoto, and I thought the hotel was reasonably priced for how nice it was. I’d recommend it to friends staying in the city.

The staff were wonderful when I left my work phone in the room. They found it after checkout while I was already on my way to Tokyo and flying back to the States the next day. They arranged and paid to have it sent to my Tokyo hotel within 24 hours, which made a stressful mistake completely easy to deal with. Thank you so much! We loved the relaxing, spa-like feel, especially the private open-air onsen in our room, which we used several times. The hotel also has separate onsen facilities for men and women, which looked nice and well maintained, though we only used our private one. The room was a little small but high quality, with ultra-soft comfortable sheets and luxurious shower products, a robe, and pajamas. Other nice touches included a complimentary, fully stocked drink fridge, coffee and soft drinks plus popsicles on the 9th floor all day, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views and a hot foot bath. During daily happy hour there were unlimited free drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails. It’s great for couples, with kind staff and an excellent location within walking distance of restaurants, bus stops, and train stations. We wish we’d stayed longer.

My wife and I came for the Kyoto marathon, and soaking in the two types of onsen afterward was especially refreshing after running 42 km. The place is also within a 10-15 minute walk of some halal restaurants, which was helpful as a Muslim traveler, and public transport is easy to reach. Driving here could be tough, since affordable parking is about a 20-minute walk away, but it was okay for us.

The rooftop view of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the mountains was unforgettable, especially around sunset. We were able to explore freely as soon as we arrived thanks to the luggage storage, and the service was exceptional. The hotel was spotlessly clean and remarkably quiet, a rare bit of calm in the heart of Kyoto. Wearing the elegant provided kimono while relaxing in the thermal waters made the Onsen feel like a special connection with Japanese tradition. A peaceful stay.