The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Kyoto

This was an excellent choice. We enjoyed this hotel the most throughout our Japan stay. I stayed with 2 of my teenage children. We especially enjoyed the lounge area, me the cocktails. We didint get a chance to visit the onsen.

We had a wonderful stay at the Royal Park Hotel Iconic in Kyoto. Our family of 5 stayed there for 5 days during our Japan trip, in two rooms. The hotel itself was extremely clean, and a nice blend of modern with classic Japanese lines and features. The beds, bedding, and pillows were so comfortable! They provided clean pajamas and wonderful toiletries. The staff was very nice and easy to work with. The location of the hotel could not be better! It is right at the intersection of the two main subway lines that cross Kyoto, and it was easy to get to everything: Ito Castle is a short 10-minute walk. The main shopping streets were also an easy walk. And we could walk (or bus) to Gion in 15-20 minutes, so we could enjoy the sights there, but not have to stay in the hustle bustle. In retrospect, we don't think we could have stayed at a better place. Other notes: We paid for lounge access, and felt it was well worth it. The treats at tea time were divine and delivered to your table in adorable little suitcases! The bar was great and the bartender was very nice. We did not try the restaurant, but it looked lovely. We did not purchase the breakfast included, but there was a nearby bakery within several minutes' walk called Flip Up! which we visited for breakfast goods every day. (Good thing we did so much walking!) Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to take advantage of the public baths, but will do so on our next visit.

Conveniently located. Great for families. 😊 Doesn’t have a gym 😏

It’s an absolute disgrace that this hotel is considered only 4 stars. Except for Celestines Gion, the local competition in this bracket is of no comparison compared to what I experienced at Royal Park Iconic. Knowing what the 5 star category is like in Kyoto, I would say this property is 4.5 stars and perfect for those who want international luxury without breaking the bank at a Park Hyatt or Ritz Carlton. The hotel is very modern and extremely up to date with the latest modern comforts any international traveler would expect. Rooms are spacious with lots of light, bright and natural colors. You can use your phone with the tv to login to your own streaming services such as Netflix and watch it from a sofa. The Nishimura pillows in my queen bed were so good that I took them out of the casing to see exactly which ones to buy when I get back home in Tokyo. The room also came with its own Nespresso machine and wine glasses. Clientele were millennial couples and older. No unruly, screaming children or adults observed. It’s just not in that price bracket. One minus is that the shower had a curtain to create some privacy if your partner is shy. This may be an awkward sticky point for couples that haven’t revealed themselves yet without makeup, but I digress. The breakfast was not a buffet but a carefully prepared set meal with Japanese dishes that will appeal to both Asian and Western taste buds. A very instagrammable meal at that and in a luxurious but still pleasant, not over

A treasure of a place. Kyoto was the highlight of our trip to Japan, and this hotel contributed to our family’s wonderful experience.