Stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kawaramachi Jokyoji from 20-24 Dec. This was my 2nd stay there in 2 consecutive months, despite there being hundreds of hotels in Kyoto.
Location: the hotel is located in the city center with Nishiki Market and Teramachi indoor shopping street located very closeby. Kawaramachi is also a big commercial street lined with plethora of shops and malls. Train stations within walking distance.
Hotel Facilities and Amenities: this is a very beautiful hotel next to a temple (and small cemetery). The rooms are exemplary clean and quite spacious for Japan’s standard. Many facilities such as a public onsen, on-site restaurant, vending machine, ice machine, etc. No gym, which is not a big deal at all if you are in Kyoto for a short tourist visit. You will be doing a lot of walking anyway if you choose to.
I only visited the on-site restaurant for dinner once. The food was okay, but nothing to write home about. Service staff was accommodating (I had to use a wheelchair at the time); however, service was lackluster otherwise.
Hotel staff service: cannot praise the service by the hotel staff enough. This time around, I had injured my foot and couldn’t walk for 2 days. I was touched by the staff’s incredible kindness - they went out of their way to really help me out.
Overall: if you want city center location with easy access to modern shops and an array of restaurants within walking distance, big and super clean room, and great hospitality, I’d highly recommend this hotel.
