Kyoto Granbell Hotel

“Central location, clean hotel, very friendly.”

Location is great! It’s an easy walk to many restaurants and all the hidden gems that Kyoto has to offer. The rooms are small, but not any smaller than we would expect for Tokyo, Kyoto, or anywhere else in Japan. Everything was clean and nice. The king-size bed had a large leather-covered headboar… more

Location is great! It’s an easy walk to many restaurants and all the hidden gems that Kyoto has to offer. The rooms are small, but not any smaller than we would expect for Tokyo, Kyoto, or anywhere else in Japan. Everything was clean and nice. The king-size bed had a large leather-covered headboard that wrapped around it, and that definitely needs the upholstery replaced. Otherwise, the hotel was clean and well maintained. The breakfast buffet had a lot to offer, and the staff was very friendly and easy to communicate with in English. I would definitely recommend this hotel, and I would stay here again. It was a great hotel, though nothing uniquely spectacular. I would recommend it, and I would come back. Just don’t expect to spend a lot of time enjoying your room. Our view was terrible—electrical wires and concrete—but the view down the hallway overlooked beautiful gardens.

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“Great Location”

What's good about the Grenbell is it's location, minutes from the main street and yet quiet and peaceful. Check in was quick and efficient. With very helpful staff throughout the hotel. The lobby is comfortable and spacious with complimentary tea/coffee/water. It also has complimentary toiletries. … more

What's good about the Grenbell is it's location, minutes from the main street and yet quiet and peaceful. Check in was quick and efficient. With very helpful staff throughout the hotel. The lobby is comfortable and spacious with complimentary tea/coffee/water. It also has complimentary toiletries. Our king size bed room was tiny, the width of the bed with a wash hand basin and small vanity unit separating the bed from the toilet and shower. The bed was comfortable. The breakfast was not great and poor value for money. The bar opened at 5 with last orders at 10.30. This was a bit restrictive if you returned from dinner looking for a nightcap. There were no bars we could identify near the hotel open beyond 10pm.

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“Very mixed experience”

Japanese hotels are outstanding for their service and cleanliness and the Kyoto Granbell is no exception. It's a smallish hotel in a superb location, great for visiting Gion on foot and with transport links across Kyoto. BUT... the rooms are small and cramped with a view over the car park and a sl… more

Japanese hotels are outstanding for their service and cleanliness and the Kyoto Granbell is no exception. It's a smallish hotel in a superb location, great for visiting Gion on foot and with transport links across Kyoto. BUT... the rooms are small and cramped with a view over the car park and a slowly collapsing building next door, the food options are uninspiring and it's not very nice to charge 5,000 yen for an early check-in when the room is already available (this is the only hotel we stayed at in Japan which did this). Overall a mixed experience - a room which was essentially all bed with no wardrobe space and a rip-off check in experience balanced against outstanding staff and a really convenient location.

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“Good on the eyes, not much substance…”

Nice lobby, should have spent the money on the rooms. Premium room was very noisy, larger water or ventilation system in a locked closet. Walls are paper thin, can hear other rooms bathroom doors. Good location. Spa is underwhelming.