The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike

The lounge was a highlight: it wasn’t too busy, and the team there were attentive, friendly, and hardworking. As a platinum member, I had a nice room and lounge access, which was a bonus. Staff overall were lovely, and parking was convenient. Nearby, there’s Takaragaike Park and the main subway station. The park is tranquil and not very large, a nice place for a morning walk to start the day. Shugakuin Imperial Gardens aren’t far away, and sekizanzen-in temple is lovely too. I’d recommend visiting if you’re in the area.

If a quiet setting and spacious rooms are what you want, this could be a good fit. It’s peaceful, has a beautiful outlook, and is connected to town by metro, though it’s a long way from the center. Rooms are comfortable and large, if somewhat dated. I’ve traveled in Japan for seven years, and that’s normal here. Breakfast leans toward Japanese tastes, but there are enough choices to find something. Some negative reviews seem to come from Americans expecting Japan to be like the USA. A solid four-star hotel, recommended.

The room and beds were comfortable, and the hotel itself was good, but the location was abysmal. It’s far from everything, with the subway as the only transport option, and getting to the city center takes nearly half an hour. Since we were so far away, we tried the breakfast, which was one of the worst continental breakfasts I’ve seen. There were only three or four choices and some bread. I’d pick somewhere else if I came to Kyoto again.

Most of the other staff were pretty good, and the first woman who greeted us was lovely and welcoming. Then a male staff member took over check-in. For his privacy, his name begins with Yosh, but I hope the hotel can work out who I mean. He was cold, with no smile, greeting, or warmth. I asked twice for him to link my reservation to my Marriott account, as staff at other Marriott properties often do proactively. He said they were “not supposed to” do it, then gave short, dismissive answers. When I asked why, he couldn’t explain, but eventually did it. Or maybe not, I’m not sure he really did. He came across as distant and somewhat arrogant. I don’t understand why someone so unfriendly handles check-in. Honestly, I’d have preferred a self check-in machine.