4-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

"This hotel is in a great location nearly next to Nishiki Market. Around the hotel is very quiet. The room we received was facing the graveyard, I’m not sure why there are so many negatives reviews about it but we had no problems with it. No ****** visited us😋😅 The bed was very spacious but a little hard. The pillows were also quite hard so we woke up sore a few times… overall the room was very clean and amenities were available downstairs if needed like toothbrush or qtips. The staff were very kind and brought our luggage to our room before we arrived through luggage forwarding. After check out, they also allowed us to store it in the back for a few hours."

"Out of all the hotels I stayed at during this trip to Japan, the The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji, considering its location, room, breakfast, ambiance, and price, is definitely the best value for money in my opinion. First off, the location is truly excellent. The hotel is right next to Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, just one stop from Kyoto Station on the JR line. When you're dragging luggage, this “almost right at the hotel once you get off the train” location is incredibly convenient. Even though it's not directly in Kyoto Station, I never felt the transportation was inconvenient; in fact, it was nicer to be away from the hustle and bustle of the station area. The hotel itself is located within the Umekoji Park area, and the surroundings are very pleasant. The Kyoto Railway Museum is right next door, and the Kyoto Aquarium isn't far, making it particularly suitable if you're traveling with kids. And here's a very interesting feature – trains. Many rooms directly face the railway, allowing you to watch various trains come and go from your window while lying in bed. For railway enthusiasts, this might be far more exciting than a regular city view room. Exploring temples in Kyoto during the day and then returning to your room at night to watch trains entering and leaving Kyoto Station is quite a unique experience offered by this hotel. The room itself was also quite satisfying. Hotel rooms in Japanese cities are generally on the smaller side, but the rooms here are comparatively spacious for a hotel of similar price in Japan. You can open your suitcase without feeling too cramped, and the bathroom is also generously sized, giving you plenty of space to shower comfortably. At first glance, the breakfast area didn't seem large, but after actually eating there, I found the layout to be very efficient. The counter space is utilized very well, and there's a wider variety of food than expected. The breakfast certainly doesn't feel skimpy just because the dining area isn't huge. For those who need a hearty meal before a day of sightseeing, it's perfectly adequate. There's also a small detail in the lobby that left a lasting impression on me: They actually have a 'Densha de GO!' train driving simulator! You can hop on and drive a train or two while checking in or waiting for others, which is especially great for families with kids, as it keeps them entertained during waits. Combined with the nearby Kyoto Railway Museum and the constantly passing trains outside the rooms, this hotel truly seems to have mastered the “railway element.” Additionally, there's a FamilyMart convenience store on the first floor of the hotel. Whether you need to buy drinks or snacks at night, or grab a few last-minute items in the morning, you don't have to go far. After traveling for over ten days, you realize that seemingly insignificant amenities like this are actually incredibly practical. If I had to find a flaw, I'd say its biggest “problem” is that it's easily underestimated. When you first look at the map, Umekoji-Kyotonishi might not seem like the most central location in Kyoto; but once you actually stay there, you realize Kyoto Station is just one stop away, the JR line is right at your doorstep, and the park, railway museum, and aquarium are all nearby. Plus, the rooms are more spacious than many hotels in central Kyoto. Paying a little less for a “prime location” premium actually results in a more comfortable stay. That's why, among all the hotels we stayed at during this Japan trip, I would rate this one as: The best value for money. If I come back to Kyoto in the future and the price is right, I would very likely stay here again. I especially recommend it for families with children, railway enthusiasts, and anyone planning to use the JR line for travel around Kyoto."

"Modern design hotel that appeals to the younger crowd. Medium queen room was spacious and I could lay out my luggage case on the long bench. Don't expect nice views from the room as it will be facing other buildings. Room was on the darker side, as the interior design is mostly black and gray, and the lighting was minimal, so it is good for relaxing and not working. For breakfast, you can order 1 plate from ala carte menu, and there is a salad bar. Pretty simple but does the job. Location wise, it is closer to Gojo metro station than Shijo station. There is a metro exit with elevator so you can use that when carrying luggage. It is a longer walk to Shijo dori shopping street, so you may prefer to book a hotel closer to Shijo station / Hankyu Karasuma station if you want to be more central to the shopping area."

"An excellent onsen hotel, I'd definitely come back if I have the chance. The room offers views of Kyoto Tower, and Kyoto Station is within walking distance. You have to take off your shoes upon entering the hotel. The room provides socks and a yukata in a basket. In the hot spring area, you can shower right at the entrance. On the first floor, there seem to be three indoor pools plus two large tubs, and one semi-outdoor one just outside. There's also another pool upstairs. After your bath, the changing area has hairdryers and toners, and the lounge area offers Yakult and ice cream. There are massage chairs in the hallway."

"There's a bus stop right outside, and a supermarket downstairs. It's also really close to Omiya Station. The room size was perfect, even fitting a large suitcase comfortably. The separate wet and dry areas in the shower room were a nice touch!"

"The location is very convenient, with a coffee shop next door, one of Kyoto's best bakeries across the street, a 7-11 just a hundred meters away, and many unique restaurants nearby. We stayed on the first floor, but the soundproofing was excellent. The in-room facilities were superb, and the bed and bedding were impeccable; our family had a very comfortable stay. The front desk staff was also very warm and attentive, even helping us call a taxi on our last day and giving instructions to the driver. Just a small suggestion: it would be great if the front desk could have coins available for the coin-operated laundry and dryer. On the day we needed it, they didn't have any for exchange (we were very tired when we got back and had to go to 7-11 to get change). Also, there was a minor issue with the bathroom."

"First off, the hotel's location is fantastic. There's a bus stop nearby with direct routes, plus a convenience store. I really enjoyed the hotel's large public bath; it was so relaxing to soak in the hot spring after walking 10,000-20,000 steps every day. The hotel is also very thoughtful – they provide fresh pajamas daily, and the room size is quite good. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. On the day we checked out, we even stored our luggage for a while before heading back. All in all, for this price during the off-season, it was an excellent value for money."

"In general it's clean, only lots of dust under the bed. The location is quite okay, next to the metro stop and old Town. many convenient stores around. The staff were all very nice and helpful. There is free Matcha experience, happy hours drinks, free water, karaoke and udon noodles. Something not so nice: air conditioner went off every few hours, room air quality is always bad, need to use purifier for a long time. We booked five nights for three people, at the beginning only two persons' supplies, we had to ask for pillows, towels and etc for the third person. After three days, we request a room cleaning, same problem again. It would have been nice if we can have what we have booked. Breakfast was a little pricy and just very ordinary Japanese hotel food. Only two washing machines and the hotel system and staff doesn't seem to handle the cues very well. many people cue up with their laundry bags there and the ones who were ready, no one pick them up. Not so nice hotel experience because of these things."