Kyoto Brighton Hotel

The exterior of the Kyoto Brighton Hotel is boxy and uninspiring, but once inside, the huge six-story lobby atrium, illuminated by natural light and bordered in greenery, immediately awes. A stylish lounge bar takes up most of the lobby, while glass-enclosed elevators ascend to the upper floors. Decor is understated and classically stylish, with a brown-beige-and-gray color scheme dominating the public areas and guest rooms, paired with lots of dark furniture and wood paneling. The hotel attracts travelers across the spectrum -- families, couples, those in town for business, groups of friends, and solos -- and should appeal most to those seeking a Western-style, upscale ambience. 

Kyoto Brighton Hotel is located in a quiet residential area outside the city center, within easy walking distance of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The hotel shuttle bus runs a regular free service to Karasumaoike subway station, a seven-minute ride away. Several public buses also connect the neighborhood to points across the city. And several shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes are within walking distance of the hotel.

• Six-minute walk to Kyoto Imperial Palace
• 15-minute bus ride to Nijo Castle
• 18-minute subway ride to Kyoto International Manga Museum
• 23-minute subway ride to Kyoto Station
• 25-minute subway ride to Nishiki Market
• 26-minute bus ride to the historic Gion area
• 28-minute subway ride to Kawaramachi shopping district
• 33-minute bus ride to Ryoan-ji Temple
• 34-minute bus ride to Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion)
• 37-minute bus ride to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)
• 90-minute drive to Kansai International Airport

By Japanese standards, guest rooms at the Kyoto Brighton Hotel are large, ranging in size from 387 to 452 square feet (36 to 42 square meters). Decorated in tones of beige and brown, rooms have streamlined furniture, including blond wood headboards, platform beds fitted with white sheets, square lattice room dividers, and large rectangular mirrors over desks. Wall-to-wall carpeting is printed with either geometrical or floral patterns. The modern bathrooms have a similar look with large white or tan tile often accented with coffee-colored trim and spacious separate shower areas containing large bathtubs. All rooms have air-conditioning, air-purifiers/humidifiers, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, ironing facilities, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and Japanese tea sets.

A hot and cold buffet breakfast is served each morning for an extra fee in the Feerie Restaurant, which also offers lunch and dinner buffets including a variety of Western dishes. Hotaru serves traditional Japanese cuisine, and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Himorogi is a Teppanyaki restaurant, preparing and serving grilled food on an iron griddle in front of diners, and is open for lunch and dinner. Another lunch or dinner choice is the Cantonese restaurant Kakan. Cour au Midi, the spacious lounge and bar located in the lobby area, serves tea, coffee, pastries, and drinks throughout the day.

Other services include room service, free parking, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a business center with computers and printers, a shuttle bus service to the nearest subway station, bicycle rental, laundry and dry-cleaning, a souvenir and flower shop, and a hair salon. There are also a variety of banquet and conference rooms, which can seat up to 300 guests. The Keishikan fitness center, about a five-minute walk away, is also available for guests' use.