Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Hotel Granvia Kyoto embodies a typical business-style hotel, though it lacks the showy and ostentatious interiors found in most upscale properties in Kyoto. Set in the JR Kyoto Station Building Complex, the exterior is an impressive modern building with reflective glass walls. Inside, there are glossy floors and windows with views of the station, so guests can watch the comings and goings of passengers. Though there’s little character to the place and some areas -- like the gym and bars -- are dated, the hotel does try to maintain some artistic elements by displaying 1,000 contemporary art pieces throughout the property. The hotel may feel more suited to business travelers with its stark and straightforward atmosphere, however, couples tend to be the main clientele. 

One of the best aspects of Hotel Granvia Kyoto is its convenient location in the JR Kyoto Station making it directly connected to entertainment, the airport, and transportation. The hotel has direct access to the on-site metro stop which takes passengers to Osaka International Airport in an hour- and 15-minute ride (it’s otherwise a 45-minute drive away). The station is also home to a mall and diverse dining options. As for popular attractions, the hotel sits centrally between major temples and castles like Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Imari-taisha making it easy to reach them by metro or car in less than 30 minutes. 

The rooms at Hotel Granvia Kyoto are modern and pleasant but lacking in much character beyond a few Asian touches. Expect a fairly neutral color scheme that varies slightly among rooms; some have maroon carpeting and others have tan or soft green carpet. The white beds with tan or gray accents are complimented by dark furniture. There’s little in the way of art on the walls. All the conveniences of a business hotel room are found here: desks, espresso makers, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. The spacious bathrooms are a little bit more exciting as some have white marble countertops, though others feature dated wood laminate tiled floors. Showers or separate showers and tubs are provided, as are toiletries and hairdryers. Smoking rooms are available. 

Guests won’t go hungry when visiting Hotel Granvia Kyoto as there are a whopping 11 restaurants and bars that offer Japanese, European, and Chinese cuisine. Like most aspects of the hotel, the food can get pricey, and breakfast -- which includes hot and cold Western and Japanese options -- incurs a charge. Speaking of fees, the indoor lap pool, sauna, hot tub, and gym (filled with modern cardio and weight machines and free weights) all cost a fee to use and kids are not allowed in this area, a bit of a drawback for families. This is a business-friendly hotel with 15 fully-equipped meeting rooms and a large ballroom that's often used for weddings. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though the signal can be spotty. There’s a parking garage on-site for those who don’t arrive by train, and it costs a fee.