Lonely Planet Review

Located directly above Kyoto Station, this is one of the better hotels in Kyoto, with a wide range of excellent on-site restaurants and bars. Rooms are relatively large and some have good views over the city. High-speed Internet access (100mbps) is available in all guest rooms.

If you just can't be bothered to leave the attractions of JR Kyoto Station, then head up an escalator or two and enter the comfortable confines of the Hotel Granvia Kyoto, which is actually part of the JR Kyoto Station building. As soon as you enter the hotel, the spacious common areas and gleaming polished floors and walls, illuminated by warm incandescent lighting, will make you feel relaxed and comfortable. The Western-style rooms are all very elegant and quiet with firm beds and oversized pillows. The bathtubs are nice and deep, in keeping with Japanese sensibilities - just the thing after a long train journey. This is a very professional operation, with great staff, many of whom speak good English. The only downside is the size of the place - step onto the wrong escalator and you'll find yourself at the completely wrong end of the hotel.