Kawaramachi Oike, Nakagyo, Japan | (618) 248-8274
Towering high-rise with excellent views of Kyoto
Near several city landmarks, including the Kamogawa walking plaza
On-site restaurants serve French, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine
Rooms with well-stocked minibars and fancy toiletries
Gym on-site and 24-hour business center
Free Wi-Fi
Multiple meeting spaces including VIP room
On-site baby room and childcare available (for a fee)
Duty-free shop with Japanese items
Furniture and decor are a bit dated in places
Coffee made in room incurs an extra fee
Accommodations near City Hall can be noisy
No pool or spa
One of the tallest buildings in Kyoto, the 322-room Kyoto Hotel Okura offers skyline views of the city and a luxury experience that includes spacious rooms and six on-site restaurants, a baby room, as well as free Wi-Fi. The hotel's central location makes it within walking distance of Kyoto City Hall, Honnoji Temple, and Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Hall. Accommodations cater to Western expectations with designer toiletries, minibars, and coffeemakers. By comparison, the similarly priced Hotel Granvia Kyoto is larger, more modern, and includes an indoor pool and an underground shopping mall.
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Scene
An opulent setting that recalls grand hotels of the mid 1900s
While the Kyoto Hotel Okura was founded in 1888 and underwent a major renovation in 2007, the ironwork details in its hallways recall the height of mid-century Art Deco design. Located in the center of Kyoto, its decor leans toward Western tastes. The lobby's wide and tall staircase appears ever-ready for a big musical dance routine, and it's easy to picture a man in a black tuxedo and a woman in a luminescent evening gown tap dancing their way down. The marble floors, antique furniture, and leather lounge chairs have a stately air rarely found in modern hotels. But the most stunning visuals here are the views from the Pittoresque restaurant on the top floor, with the city and green hills extending in all directions. Guests here are mainly foreign families and couples ready to explore Kyoto.
Location
Near the center of Kyoto, close to City Hall and several historical sites
In the center of Kyoto's historic district, the Hotel Okura sits near the Kamogawa River as well as City Hall and several notable shrines and temples. For many, the "Kamo" is the heart of the city, and its waterside path is regularly lined with pedestrians, bicyclists, and nature lovers. Several tourist sights are within a 15-minute drive or a lengthy 30- to 40-minute walk, including the Ryozen Kannon memorial, Kiyomizu Temple, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Those arriving by plane to the Osaka International Airport will need at least an hour to get to the hotel. Just down the block from the Hotel Okura is the Kyotoshiyakusho-Mae Station, which connects with the bullet train from Tokyo, approximately two hours and 45 minutes away.
Rooms
Basic rooms are well-maintained; suites are much more luxurious
While all of the rooms at Kyoto Hotel Okura are clean and in good order, some show their age much more than others. Anyone used to staying in Western hotel rooms will be comfortable. Twin rooms are carpeted and the mattresses a little harder than in Western luxury hotels, but that's to be expected. The seating areas are furnished with cloth-covered, foam-filled sofas and chairs that stand up well to years of wear. Suites are a notch above: Bedding is higher quality; the seating areas have furniture suitable for upscale living rooms; and the free toiletries are more plentiful. All rooms have minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safes, and coffee/tea facilities. Spacious bathrooms have stall showers with glass doors and shower/tub combos. One charge that irks some travelers: The in-room coffee incurs and extra fee.
Features
Several restaurants, a gym, sauna, and plentiful meeting space
The amount of restaurants at the Kyoto Hotel Okura is rarely found in a hotel that isn't a resort or part of a casino. In addition to eateries serving Kyoto and Chinese dishes, there are also bistros serving French and Italian fare, cafes for breakfast and lunch, and an English-inspired bar. Thankfully there's a fitness center to work off any overindulgence that includes a steam room and sauna. Families staying at the hotel will be happy to know that there are changing rooms, and babysitting can be arranged for a fee. The numerous meeting spaces range from an intimate VIP room to a large hall that can fit 150.
