Best Value Hotels in Kyoto

For guests who want to experience a reasonably priced traditional Japanese inn in central Kyoto, Ryokan Shimizu is a solid choice. Rooms features tatami mats and futon mattresses spread on the floors plus private bathrooms. There’s no restaurant and breakfast isn't served, but the staff is quick with tips and directions to nearby eating spots. Two large on-site baths can be reserved for private groups, and the Higashi Honganji Temple is just a 10-minute walk away. Guests leave their keys at the hotel when going out for the day -- be aware that there's a midnight curfew, and the inn enforces a quiet policy in the later part of the evening. 

Part of an international chain of serviced apartments, Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto has 124 chic, contemporary studios and apartments with kitchenettes and seating areas. Each unit is equipped with flat-screen TVs, dock stations for music players, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. Located on a busy Kyoto street, the upper-middle-range property is a three-minute walk to the Gojo subway station. Breakfast, self-service laundry, and on-site parking (all with extra fees) are about all the hotel offers in the way of features. Travelers looking for a more traditional hotel property may prefer the Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto, and those looking for a traditional ryokan experience could try the Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo.

The 200-room Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto Ekimae is a mid-range option located next to Kyoto Station. As is typical in Japan, rooms are compact, but they're well equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. A breakfast buffet is served each morning for a fee, and free ramen noodles are served in the evening. The male and female onsen baths are highlights here -- so long as guests aren't tattooed -- and the self-serve laundry room is a handy convenience. Microwaves on each floor are especially helpful for the budget-conscious since there's a convenience store next door. Travelers who would prefer to be closer to the city center could check out the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma (Karasuma), but it lacks an onsen. 

The two-and-a-half-pearl Kyoto Hana Hotel offers travelers an affordable stay in central Kyoto, a short walk from the Gion district. Its 43 guest rooms feature traditional Japanese or contemporary decor, some of which are stylish with nature-inspired themes. All units are well-equipped with AC, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Japanese or Western bathtubs. Some look out to a Japanese garden, and the best rooms boast balconies with expansive views of the city. Facilities are limited to cafe, where there's a basic buffet breakfast for a fee that draws mixed reviews from guests, and a small business center. Travelers who want a hotel with a full-service restaurant can consider nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto. 

The 65-room Kyoto Itoya Hotel is a centrally located mid-range option close to public transportation, shops, and eateries. Its modern rooms are small (as is typical here) and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, hot-water kettles, and robes and slippers. A Japanese-style breakfast is served daily for a fee, and guests get a coupon for a free coffee or tea upon check-in. The breakfast space is also a lounge area, with free newspapers, books, magazines, and tourist info. Bikes can be rented on-site, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Self-sufficient travelers interested in rooms with kitchenettes and a little more space could check out the nearby Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto, which is a bit cheaper.

Built in 2012, the 169-room Almont is a sleekly modern, mid-range property within a 10-minute walk of Kyoto rail station. Clean, well-maintained, and quiet, the Almont has a large communal bath, with separate spaces for men and women, and a lobby lounge with computers, printers, and books to borrow. Rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and sleepwear and slippers are provided -- a nice touch -- but be aware that Standard Twin Rooms can be tiny. While convenient to Kyoto station, the hotel is a 20-minute bus or subway ride to downtown Kyoto. Travelers seeking a location closer to the city center might want to consider the Hotel Monterey, which has larger rooms and a more luxurious vibe, but also higher rates.

Opened in 2014, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei is a modern, upper-middle-range property in north central Kyoto. Its sleek restaurant, with views of a Japanese garden, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the traditional communal bath is free for guests. The 129 modern rooms feature a blend of Japanese and Western touches -- but the frosted shoji-inspired windows limit views and, since they're curtainless, the amount of natural light that's let in -- guests complain that it's either too much or too little. But rates here are lower, and its rooms are more up to date, than those at the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo.

The 240-room, mid-range Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto Shijokarasuma (Karasuma) takes its cues from minimalist Japanese design, and delivers clean, modern style. Centrally located along a bustling main road and commercial area in Kyoto, the hotel is within a five-minute walk of two train stations, and a plethora of shops and restaurants. Rooms are simple, modern, and functional but, like most rooms in Kyoto, small. They include free high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are more luxurious, with deep square sinks, tubs, and showers. An on-site Japanese restaurant serves a breakfast buffet of Japanese and Western fare for an extra charge. While the Daiwa Roynet is well-priced for the area, guests seeking a hotel with more on-site features should check out the nearby Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo, which has Japanese-style baths,

The 130-room Gran Ms Kyoto hotel offers a blend of traditional and modern styles in a simple, three-pearl package. The location of this downtown property makes it a convenient city base near lots of subway stations and just a 10- to 15-minute walk to the historic Gion District. Both Western and Japanese-style rooms are available, and include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Guests looking for a fusion of homey comforts and local tradition might try the Japanese Western Rooms. Unfortunately, there are few on-site facilities beyond a laundry room, but a good choice of local and international restaurants are all around. Travelers looking for a traditional hotel with restaurant and pool could try the Righa Royal instead. 

Ibis Styles Kyoto Station is a two-pearl located just next to the city's main train station, offering excellent transportation links throughout the city. The 215 guest rooms are compact but comfortable with a chic, subdued style, and all come equipped with useful amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. Breakfast is free, but the breakfast room gets easily crowded. For a budget hotel, rates are comparatively high; travelers may want to compare rates and features with the Nearby Kyoto Tower Hotel, an upper-middle-range hotel that offers better value for money, with contemporary guest rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a sky lounge with scenic views.

This simple 144-room hotel, part of a Japanese chain, has a central location for sightseeing and a lovely view of the city from the Italian restaurant on the 10th floor, which serves lunch and dinner. Right by the Kamogawa River, which is served by a bus, its location is also close to restaurants and shopping and the hotel serves an extensive buffet breakfast. Rooms, and especially the bathrooms, are small, but they're comfortable and some have views of the river. Overall, the hotel offers a solid value, although it lacks amenities like a gym.

The Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo is a mid-range chain hotel in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku/Sanjo area, just a 10-minute train ride to Kyoto Station. All 169 simple, but modern, rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. The dining room offers a breakfast buffet with hot and cold options alongside gorgeous garden views, and while there’s no pool or fitness center, the hotel has a free traditional communal bath that stays open late. Guests should compare rates with Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei, a sister property that has similar features and lower rates.

The 125-room 9 Hours Capsule Hotel is a five-minute walk from Kawaramachi Train Station in the Shimogyo-ku district. The single-bed capsule rooms are designed for short stays, attracting an unusual mix of business travelers, solo travelers in transit, and nightclubbers. Numbered pods line corridor-style bedrooms with separate floors for men and women. Communal bathrooms have all the essentials including modern showers, small lockers, and hairdryers. Facilities are basic, with no televisions and minimal bedding, but free Wi-Fi and bathroom products are included. Keep in mind that you must check out and check in again that night if staying multiple nights. This budget hotel is fine for a 24-hour stopover or to quickly explore the temples nearby, but guests who prefer traditional rooms might try the Ibis Styles Kyoto Station instead. 

New Miyako Hotel is a large, upper-middle-range property with close to a thousand rooms in a convenient location next to Kyoto station. There’s plenty to do within a short walk, and the hotel has a handful of on-site dining choices, including Japanese and Chinese cuisine and a buffet breakfast. Other on-site conveniences include shops, a beauty salon, and a bar. The interior of the hotel have a distinct corporate chain vibe, but rooms are spacious, with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Train noise can be a problem in some rooms -- and light sleepers might want to choose rooms facing the courtyard, which are quieter.

This budget, 187-room property across from Kyoto station is centrally located for sightseeing, with easy access to subways and buses. The hotel also provides helpful guides that list popular tourist destinations and how to get to them. Rooms are standard size for Japan (meaning small by Western norms), and windows with frosted glass can make them seem smaller. But Twin Rooms have sitting areas, and all rooms come with individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Wi-Fi. Low on frills, the hotel has few facilities aside from vending machines, a coin-operated laundry, and an information center with computers and a printer; guests can also rent laptops from the front desk. There's a small cafe on-site, and a simple Japanese breakfast is included in the room rate.