4-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

The Urban Hotel is really good. There's one on Shijo and one on Gojo, and I've stayed at both. They're excellent. When I come to Kyoto, I usually choose this brand. They are very clean, and both locations have a large public bath, which I really love.

Service did not get full marks from me. I booked a double room. Front desk offered me 2 twin beds put together to make up a double bed. They claimed room had more sunlight compared with my double bed booking. Other than that, I had no other issues. There is a free coffee area that is opened until midnight. Free sake tasting from 1pm to 9pm. Do feedback to the front desk if it runs out. Amenities are self service beside the front desk if you require more.

This hotel is super close to Kyoto Station, just across the road from the south exit. I switched to this hotel for my last night from Kawaramachi so I could easily catch the Haruka train to Kansai Airport early the next morning. The room is quite small, especially the bathroom, which is very compact, but overall it's clean. My only complaint is that they couldn't put my two booked rooms on the same floor, and the front desk service wasn't as good as other hotels I'd stayed at in the Kansai region previously.

I stayed for 4 nights from January 4 to January 8, 2026. From the hotel, you can walk to Nijo Castle in about 10 minutes. There are many small convenience stores nearby (7-Eleven and the like), as well as two large supermarkets — Life is open until midnight, which is a huge plus. You can buy nice gifts for friends and family late in the evening without wasting daytime hours. The transportation access is great too: within a few minutes' walk there's a subway station and a JR line (convenient for coming from the railway station), and right next to the hotel there's a bus stop. This is important because Kyoto's sights are scattered all over the city, and you often need to use public transport or taxis. Speaking of taxis. Twice I asked the reception to call me a taxi, and both times the staff helped me — a huge thank you to them! It was especially important on the first day: thanks to a taxi, I made it to Kiyomizu-dera Temple in time and explored it without rushing. Check-in was very quick, and the staff explained where everything was. The room was quite spacious — or maybe it just felt that way. I comfortably unpacked my suitcase and took out everything I needed without feeling cramped. The room had all the essentials, and there were kettles near the elevator that you could take to your room if needed. I did, and had some tea before bed (on the first floor, you can grab a free tea bag if you don't have your own). The air conditioner worked for both cooling and heating — which was very useful on some evenings. Honestly, I only used the hotel to sleep, and it was perfectly fine. Every morning, breakfast is served on the first floor. To be honest, I expected something simple since the room rate was quite affordable. That's why the breakfast was such a pleasant surprise! My eyes wandered every morning at the variety of delicious food! A huge selection. Every day I had rice with various toppings, amazing salmon, cod, and various vegetables (the okra here was especially good). There's a small smoking room on the first floor with good ventilation. My overall impression of the hotel is extremely positive. I will definitely stay here again on my next visit to Kyoto.

Service: The room was incredibly spacious and clean, and the staff even helped lay out the futons. The service was very warm and welcoming. Shopping: The first floor has a great selection of souvenirs and pastries. They're affordable and a bit more refined than what you'd find at Don Quijote. Plus, hotel guests get a 10% discount. Unique Experiences: You can experience a traditional tea ceremony in the lobby on the first floor, and there's a really comfortable communal bath on the basement level. Location: It's super close to Kyoto Station, just a few minutes' walk. There's also a large temple nearby. Food: There are tons of dining and shopping options around. Right across the street, there's a Kobe beef restaurant, and just a short walk away, you'll find a popular fried beef cutlet place with a long line. There are also izakayas and more. Shopping (cont.): It's also very convenient for shopping. Just a few steps away is a large multi-purpose commercial center with everything from clothing brands like Uniqlo and GU, shoe stores like ABC Mart, to stationery, cameras, electronics, and headphones.

I absolutely loved the bathroom area! The shower space was great, and the bathtub was huge, big enough for two people to soak in comfortably. Breakfast was a highlight of my stay. I was so happy to see fresh melon and unlimited fish roe available at the buffet. It felt like a real treat! The room itself was a decent size, with enough space to open and store large suitcases. The bed was comfortable as well. The only downside was the soundproofing. I could hear people walking and talking in the hallway when they passed by my room. Other than that, I had a very enjoyable stay.

My stay here was absolutely wonderful; I felt comfortable and relaxed throughout. The hotel's location is super convenient for getting around. The entire hotel is spotless and well-maintained, with public areas that are tidy, quiet, and elegant. My room was immaculately clean, the bedding was soft and comfy, and the layout was practical. All the amenities were complete and fully functional, making for a cozy and secure stay. The staff were incredibly warm, polite, and respectful. Check-in and check-out were handled very efficiently, making the whole experience smooth and hassle-free.

This hotel is decent. The location is great, and check-in and check-out are done via self-service machines. You also pay taxes at these machines. Overall, it's a pretty good hotel. When choosing, make sure to pick the newer building, not the old one, as the new building is recently renovated and generally much better. It's only about a 10-minute walk to Kyoto Station. There are laundromats nearby, as the hotel itself doesn't have a laundry room.

Room was clean and spacious enough for two people. There was also a table with two chairs in the room, which was very convenient for me to work at during the evenings. The staff were very kind and helpful. Complimentary amenities were available in the common area, and guests could request pajamas from the reception desk. I forgot to bring a plug adapter and asked to borrow one from the receptionist. Fortunately, they had one available and lent it to me free of charge. The location is convenient, about a 7–8 minute walk from Sanjo Station and the Kamo River. It is also close to a bus stop, about a 5-minute walk away, making it easy to get to Gion. The breakfast offered a good variety of options. There were both Japanese and international dishes, and the quality was good and well-prepared. I enjoyed staying and just realised I didnt take any photos of the room but nutto during breakfast…🤣

This hotel is super convenient, right by Kyoto Station, just a 5-minute walk. Plus, there's a Lopia and Takashimaya nearby, which is a bonus. The room itself was really new. We stayed for four nights, and on the third night, we noticed the air conditioner was leaking a bit. I looked it up online, and it seems like it might be a clogged drain pipe. We had our child with us, and I had already disinfected so many surfaces in the room with alcohol wipes, so we just decided to stick with it rather than change rooms. I'd definitely choose to stay here again on my next trip to Kyoto. I've stayed at three hotels in Kyoto, and this one offered great value for money, especially at around 450 RMB during the summer. Oh, and there are tons of great food options around Kyoto Station! Just a heads-up: avoid Touyoutei. We ordered a set meal and then a cake, and after waiting 40 minutes for the cake, it still hadn't arrived. Our little one was practically falling asleep waiting!