Hotel Prince di Kyoto

We stayed here for two nights from October 5-7 and have no complaints about the service and care we received. This is renovated primary school, but you wouldn't know it from how it has been remodeled. Though we did like the wide stairways with wooden bannisters that retained a little of the ”school” feel. The overall atmosphere of the hotel and its grounds is very calming; a nice oasis from the bustle of the city. The room was a good size with very good amenities that made the stay convenient and comfortable. The in-room bar was complimentary and restocked daily. We also had access to the lounge which had free flowing snacks and beverages throughout the day. It was nice to sit next to the window with a warm beverage or a glass of wine after a long day of trekking across the city. We ate in the city, but also made a point to try all of the places to eat in the hotel. We had breakfast on the outside terrace of the main restaurant. The ”well-being” breakfast was healthy and hearty; very filling. We liked that the breakfast was ”by order” rather than buffet. Buffets can be tiring when you just want to sit comfortably on a terrace, enjoying the morning with a cup of coffee. We had one dinner at Benoit, the French restaurant. We tried three mains as part of two set meals we ordered: Sea Bass, Lobster, and Pork Loin. All were done very well. For a late supper, we had a steak on the Rooftop Lounge. The chef himself, strongly suggested I order a different wine with the steak as he felt it complimented it better. It was actually a cheaper wine than I had ordered, so I appreciated that it was a true recommendation. We followed dinner with cocktails in the bar, where the bartender apparently is rather well-known in Kyoto. He certainly had admirers watching him as he made the drinks. The hotel general staff and concierge were all very helpful, helping us reserve cars and check to make sure that our destinations were convenient for our purposes. They also follow-up with us to see if what they had suggested worked out. The only suggestion is to make sure that you leave plenty of time for arriving and leaving. The hotel is right in the middle of a major tourist area. There are many temples in the area, and the streets are lined with tea houses, places to eat or buy souvenirs, and places just to discover or wander about. So depending on the time of day, the traffic can be very congested. That said, from the hotel it's only a 20-minute walk to Nishiki market and the areas around it. Overall, an excellent stay. We would definitely consider the hotel again for any future trip we might have to Kyoto.