Mitsui Garden Hotels in Kyoto

The location is excellent, just a 5-minute walk to the Shijo bus stop and 10 minutes to the subway station. With a FamilyMart conveniently located downstairs, all our breakfast and late-night snack needs were covered. This hotel offers great value for money. The room was quite spacious, featuring a king-size bed that comfortably accommodated two people. It also came with a small sofa and a table. I was particularly pleased with the ample hangers provided. A delightful surprise was the onsen (hot spring) bath; it was wonderfully relaxing to soak in it every evening after exploring. My only minor point of confusion was that while the room was tidied daily, the bed itself wasn't made. It would have been nice if they could at least straighten out the sheets a bit.

I was very satisfied with the room. It was a good size; even with two suitcases fully open, there was plenty of space to walk around. The bathroom featured a practical wet-dry separation but no bathtub. The downstairs lobby offers a dedicated room for luggage storage, which is incredibly convenient for guests. Check-in is from 5 PM, and check-out is by 2 PM. This schedule is particularly friendly for those who arrive in Kyoto in the evening and appreciate not having to rush out with an early check-out. Just over 100 meters to the left of the hotel exit is a FamilyMart convenience store. Diagonally across the street, you'll also find a 7-Eleven.

Stepping into the hotel was a delightful surprise – it truly felt like a hidden gem! The card-only access added a great sense of security. The front desk staff were wonderful; they spoke Japanese, English, and Chinese. Even those who weren't fluent in English tried very hard to explain things, and all had excellent attitudes. If you arrive early, you can complete the check-in formalities and store your luggage. Once your room is ready, they'll place your bags inside, and you can simply pick up your key at the front desk to check in. The room wasn't huge; with three beds, there was only space to sit opposite them. Luggage could be stored near the entrance, with shelving both above and below. However, the beds were incredibly comfortable, and having a bed each was wonderfully relaxing. We stayed for two days, and the breakfast, a combination of a set meal and a buffet, was delicious. We visited the hot springs every morning and evening; they weren't crowded and were very clean and comfortable. Each floor had vending machines and ice makers – a true lifesaver in the scorching summer heat! The small apple juice bottles were especially tasty. Excellent bakeries and cafes are within walking distance, and Romantei yakiniku at the Karasuma intersection also comes highly recommended. Upon check-out, you can have your luggage sent to the Mitsui Garden Hotel next to Kyoto Station for 25 RMB per bag. This is super convenient as it saves you from having to return to the hotel to pick up your bags after your final day of sightseeing. The only downside was the 8-10 minute walk to the nearest bus and subway stops. This felt a bit long, especially during the hot summer days. Seriously, in Kyoto at midday, the last thing you want to do is walk even a step further! 😂

For its price point, the Mitsui Garden Hotel is simply impeccable and has become our top choice for future stays. Firstly, the cleanliness is beyond reproach. Even though the hotel was renovated several years ago, all facilities still feel brand new. Secondly, the service is excellent. The staff are attentive and their assistance, from check-in to check-out, is always spot-on. A special mention: the room offers plenty of USB charging ports and electrical outlets. While they don't support Apple's original fast chargers with dual Type-C ends, multiple adapters are conveniently provided in the room drawer. What's more, the front desk is incredibly helpful, promptly offering pre-prepared USB adapters upon request, solving any issues efficiently. Thirdly, the prime location speaks for itself. Fourthly, the breakfast spread is generous, with options that everyone, adults and children alike, can comfortably enjoy. One minor suggestion: the self-service laundry room only has two washer-dryers, which are constantly occupied from morning till night, making it impossible to get a turn. I'd suggest the hotel consider adding a few more units. Additionally, as the hotel faces a street, there can be a slight noise in the mornings. For light sleepers, it would be wise to bring earplugs.

Facilities: The hotel is well-equipped with amenities such as a gym, laundry room, and ice machines, though they are a bit on the smaller side. The rooms are quite spacious, and the bathrooms even feature separate wet and dry areas. However, the corner room I chose required a bit of a walk to get to. Service: The staff were very friendly and attentive, upholding the high standards typical of service in Kyoto. A late check-out until 12 PM was a nice bonus. Location: The location is average. There's a Karasuma Subway Station nearby, which you typically need to use for transfers when exploring the city. For everyday essentials and conveniences, there's a supermarket, Starbucks, and Blue Bottle Coffee all close by. However, finding a decent restaurant after 7:30 PM requires a bit of a walk.

The location is absolutely superb. It's within walking distance of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine are also just about 1 km away. Kenchō-ji Temple is right on its doorstep, making it perfect for a morning or evening stroll. As for the hotel itself, it's truly exquisite. The lobby and interior design are very sophisticated, and the rooms are generously sized – a genuine rarity in Japan. They even have a dedicated hot spring bath (onsen) that's available all night. After a day of intense sightseeing and walking, soaking in it is pure bliss. Even better, the hotel is adjacent to Gion-do. I suspect breakfast is prepared by their chefs, which is a definite perk! Overall, the value for money is exceptional, and it absolutely justifies the room rate.

Overall, I really liked the hotel! The location is super convenient — close to everywhere we wanted to go. The room was clean and the design was minimal but stylish, which I really loved. They also have a relaxing bath house, which was a nice bonus. One of my favorite things was that the TV in the room could connect directly to my phone — so convenient! However, there was one issue. My friend lost a necklace, and it felt like the staff didn’t communicate well with each other. It seemed like no proper report or message was passed on, because every time we asked, we had to explain everything from the beginning. That was a bit frustrating. I really hope the necklace is found — please contact us as soon as possible if it is! That’s all from me. Overall, still a good stay!