Hotel Kanra Kyoto — Hotel in Kyoto

If you are anything like me, you weigh many things when looking at hotels. Location, room size, staff, value, it can all be hard to gauge. I put a lot of pressure on myself when looking into where to stay in Kyoto for my honeymoon trip to Japan. One of 5 hotel stays for our trip, Kanra stands out above the rest.

Location: Kyoto is pretty expansive and this hotel is walking distance to Kyoto Station and the subway line that is the major North/South route through the city.

Room: what a delightfully appointed space; it was a comfortable bed, great blend of modern aesthetic with a Japanese twist. The shower and sink space was large and there was a nice spacious seating area and desk in the room.

Service: this is what stands out to me; the staff were always eager to help. If you had a problem, the staff made it a point to take on the challenge themselves. We went from having a huge worry on our wedding photo shoot for me and my wife with her make up and hair to Hotel Kanra assisting with bookings. They helped us with coordinating our cab ride and our check out time as well. It went from a potential nightmare to being as worry free as possible. But what’s more is that not just one staff member, but all the concierge desk staff were incredibly helpful over the course of the three day stay.

These employees care about their guests and it showed. I had stayed at Japanese hotels and I know the level of service that many get in Japan, but this was above and beyond. You didn’t feel like just one of many. They gave us great recommendations on where to eat and what to see. Also offered on several occasions to help with reservations. We were also treated to special chopsticks and a lovely folded towel on our bed for our honeymoon.

The value for the service and the room, the location, just…everything — I will stay in this hotel only from now on when staying in Kyoto. And I will advise all my friends to do the same. Thank you again Hotel Kanra! I only remember so many of those were had the pleasure to meet by name, so thank you again: Wakana, Tamami,...

My family and I would return in a heartbeat! I can’t say enough about how amazing our stay was. It is a modern version of a traditional ryokan but with your own spa like bathroom. ||Before you enter the lobby there is a lovely outdoor sitting area with a bubbling fountain. The front desk staff are so welcoming and they greet you whenever you pass by. The rooms are designed so that you feel like each one is a private residence. The sliding shoji doors open up to an entryway where you leave your shoes. ||Inside is large comfortable bed and a seating area with some tatami flooring. Our room had an incredible view of the Higashi Honganji Temple. The bathroom has a large wooden soaker tub that gives off a woodsy scent. The shower is large, soothing, and the whole thing feels like a pampered experience. ||At the hotel, I indulged in a 45 minute massage with Miki and I regretted that I didn’t request a 60 or 90 minute session. She was a wonderful masseuse and I almost went for a second session the next day. ||We thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast buffet - everything we tried was tasty, even down to the apple juice. It was probably our favorite meal in Japan. However, the restaurants aren’t currently open for lunch or dinner. ||Although in the immediate area there aren’t a lot of shops or restaurants, it made for a more peaceful stay. The Kyoto station is a 10 minute walk and the Gojo train station is the next block over. Arashiyama and other areas like Ninenzaka are a 10-20 minute taxi drive away.||My husband and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on this trip and despite the fact we didn’t inform the staff of it, we still felt it was a special place that helped us mark the occasion. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Hotel...

Fantastic hotel, exceptional service, zen interior, short walk to Kyoto station!

This hotel is a gem.

Kanra is designed with attention to detail in a Japanese minimalistic Zen focused style. The interiors are inviting and give a sense of ease after a long day of tourism.

The lobby area is a sunken oasis, stocked with coffee, wine, beer, and sake throughout the day for all guests. It’s very nice to enjoy a drink while surrounded by the displayed art of local artisans who craft away in the lobby nook.

The staff are exceptionally warm, hospitable and strive to meet every request as best as they can. I emailed back-and-forth tens of times before my arrival and during my stay and they never said no. They do an excellent job helping with restaurant reservations and Taxi booking.

The housekeeping staff diligently maintain the space. The hotel is in an excellent location, next to a gorgeous (and massive) temple, and a short convenient walk from Kyoto station. A 7/11 is right next-door and a Fresco grocery store is a short walk away. The quality of toiletries provided are top notch as well. The air conditioning works great, the beds are very comfortable, and the shower has excellent water pressure.

The only feedback I have is that they extend their housekeeping beyond 1 PM so that guests who are a bit jetlagged can still have their rooms cleaned later in the day. Further, the walls need a fresh touch of paint. For longer days, storage and shelving is limited, but they kindly provided us with an extra hanging rack and we did not have any issues.

I highly recommend this hotel as an exceptional choice for a memorable stay in the beautiful...