Village Kyoto — Hotel in Kyoto

Let me start by saying - there is nothing “wrong” with this hotel. It’s clean, safe, and very basic (like a Motel 6 near the highway in the US, complete with paper thin towels and 70s patterns on the futons). It was fun to try sleeping on tatami mats and using Japanese pjs. However, this hotel was not a great fit if you are visiting Kyoto for just a few days, are a JR pass holder, and trying to make the most of your time. You will burn a lot of time and money “getting around” from this property... and at the price point there are many better located options.||As for the JR lines, it about 40 minute walk to Kyoto station and 20 minutes to Nijo station (same time in a bus with traffic, slightly shorter in a taxi). They offer a shuttle to Kyoto station, but it must be reserved 24 hours in advance and doesn’t start till 9am (so if you want to get to top sights before the crowds, this won’t work for you). Similarly, the breakfasts other reviews rave about must also be ordered 24 hours in advance. (Needing advance notice is fine - just would be nice to know that you need that much notice before arriving at the hotel so that you could plan ahead). The bus to Gion takes 30+ minutes depending on traffic. While it is very close to Omiya station, to get from there to most attractions requires several transfers to subway lines operated by different companies - so not cheap or convenient (and no pass that we found made getting around Kyoto cheaper or easier).||Our taxi driver described the location of the hotel as a “very cheap area”. It’s not unsafe, but also not nice or visually interesting. Shops and restaurants are similarly very cheap (dive bars, 7-11, etc) and catered for the working class neighborhood - probably not where you want to stay if you have just a few days - there is no popping out the door and just doing something cool without spending 30+...

Let me start by saying - there is nothing “wrong” with this hotel. It’s clean, safe, and very basic (like a Motel 6 near the highway in the US, complete with paper thin towels and 70s patterns on the futons). It was fun to try sleeping on tatami mats and using Japanese pjs. However, this hotel was not a great fit if you are visiting Kyoto for just a few days, are a JR pass holder, and trying to make the most of your time. You will burn a lot of time and money “getting around” from this property... and at the price point there are many better located options.||As for the JR lines, it about 40 minute walk to Kyoto station and 20 minutes to Nijo station (same time in a bus with traffic, slightly shorter in a taxi). They offer a shuttle to Kyoto station, but it must be reserved 24 hours in advance and doesn’t start till 9am (so if you want to get to top sights before the crowds, this won’t work for you). Similarly, the breakfasts other reviews rave about must also be ordered 24 hours in advance. (Needing advance notice is fine - just would be nice to know that you need that much notice before arriving at the hotel so that you could plan ahead). The bus to Gion takes 30+ minutes depending on traffic. While it is very close to Omiya station, to get from there to most attractions requires several transfers to subway lines operated by different companies - so not cheap or convenient (and no pass that we found made getting around Kyoto cheaper or easier).||Our taxi driver described the location of the hotel as a “very cheap area”. It’s not unsafe, but also not nice or visually interesting. Shops and restaurants are similarly very cheap (dive bars, 7-11, etc) and catered for the working class neighborhood - probably not where you want to stay if you have just a few days - there is no popping out the door and just doing something cool without spending 30+...

Village Kyoto exceeded all our expectations for a family getaway! The facilities were absolutely top-notch, perfectly catering to our family of six. The stunning indoor pool, as shown in the image, was a particular highlight - its serene atmosphere and beautiful lighting created a luxurious, spa-like experience that both adults and children in our group adored.

The property's location was ideal, allowing us to easily explore Kyoto's rich cultural attractions while providing a peaceful retreat at the end of each day. We were constantly impressed by the thoughtful design touches throughout the hotel that seamlessly blended modern comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

The staff's kindness and attentiveness were truly exceptional. From the moment we arrived, they went above and beyond to ensure our large family felt welcome and comfortable. Their local recommendations were invaluable, helping us discover hidden gems in Kyoto that we might have otherwise missed.

Honestly, it's challenging to find any significant faults with Village Kyoto. If pressed, I might say that our stay was so comfortable and the amenities so enticing that it was sometimes difficult to motivate ourselves to leave the property and explore the city! The children, in particular, always wanted to spend "just a little more time" in the amazing pool area.

While this isn't a negative aspect of the property itself, it's worth noting that the high quality of everything - from the rooms to the facilities - did set a new standard for our family travels. Future accommodations may find it hard to measure up to the exceptional experience we had at Village Kyoto!

Our family's stay at Village Kyoto was a perfect blend of luxury, cultural immersion, and warm hospitality, creating unforgettable memories for all six of us in the heart of Japan's most beautiful...