Hotel Monterey Kyoto

Exceptional hotel!!!!

We were very impressed with the quality of this hotel and their staff. This was an exceptional hotel and the breakfast buffet was wonderful (one of the best we had while in Japan). We also used the spa while staying there and it was also very nice. I wish the hotels in the US would take lessons from this hotel in how to treat your customers and run your hotel.

Hotel Monterey Kyoto--excellent

Hotel Monterey Kyoto was extremely impressive. For the price, it was an excellent balance between the upscale and the reasonale. I would certainly stay there again.

Very impressed

For anyone with Hiltonitis, This is a great little hotel, friendly helpful staff a great little bar, comfortable rooms and a terrific spa. This hotel has it all. I would not hesitate to go back or recommend it to anyone going to Kyoto. Its central to most places. I walked nonstop around to all the major sights. A quick taxi ride to the Bullet train. So yes stay here!

Ask the concierge for dining tips. They gave me two great ones.

Great Hotel

My husband and I stayed at the Monterey for 4 days in April of 2009. We loved it! It is an extremely upscale hotel for the price. The size of the room was the typical Japanese "cozy". It was roomy enough for the two of us with our suitcases on the window ledge. Check in was extremely efficient and orderly. I had read in other reviews that the guests had to leave their keys at the front desk whenever they left the hotel. This was never mentioned to us so we kept our keys each time. The hotel is a few steps from the Karasuma-Oike subway station and there are 2 convenience stores on the corner near the hotel. We used the concierge to purchase the subway/bus pass for our stay in Kyoto. This was a great solution for us as the ticket machines in the subway are all in Japanese. Great hotel! We will definitely choose to stay here when we go back!

Traveler's tip on dining

Make sure you check our Kyoto station for shopping and dining. They have an unbelievable amount of restaurants all with great prices. My husband wanted Italian food for a change of pace...sure enough there was a great little restaurant. I had a delicious pasta dish with a crab marinara sauce and he had a great oven roasted pizza. Wish we had stayed in Kyoto longer to check out more restaurants!!

very satisfied

Fantastic location almost everything was in walking distance or an easy subway ride. We found the staff were very helpful and courteous. Easy to find from Karasuma-oike station. Rooms were very nice and clean as the hotel is only a couple of years old. We stayed in the semi-double which was the cheapest, even though it was not that big it was very comfortable for a 6 day stay and reasonably priced for what you got. I would definitely recommend this hotel.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Do some of the recommended walks around Kyoto for eg. The night walk through the Gion area and some of the temple walks, as they may look long and hard, but Kyoto is not that big and the walks are worth it. Also pick up random bits of information about local festivals, as some aren’t advertised and it will surprise you what you find.

kyoto stay

Hotel Monterey was an excellent hotel. My only small quibble was it’s proximity to bus stops, but the walks were not unreasonable.

Just one major problem: lack of English comprehension on the part of staff

This is a very nice hotel in a good location; however,I felt somewhat uncomfortable due to the lack of English comprehension on the part of most of the staff. Another difficulty was that there always seemed to be a line at the registration desk, which meant that one would have to stand and wait to make a request or hand over the room key when leaving the hotel (this was a requirement). One other problem was that the transportation pick-up for tours was at another hotel around four blocks away...not very convenient. I stayed at this hotel for one week, but never ate at the hotel restaurants due to the lack of ability to make myself understood.

very comfortable hotel

We stayed in the hotel for 4 days and were very impressed. Rooms are little bit smaller (but that you should expect in Japan), it was very clean, and they provided every day clean pyjamas! We also liked the central location of this hotel. It is an easy walk to the Imperial Park, Nijo castle, and Nishiki market. The breakfast buffet was a little bit pricey (~ 22$), but they had a huge variety of european and Japanese cuisine. We would stay there again.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Use the hotel spa.

good hotel

Service was good but the room was very small.

Highly recommended

Hotel is centrally located (less than 1 block from subway), efficiently managed, and comfortable. Room was small but all amenities were most satisfactory (internet, bed, lighting, decor, etc.)

Very nice hotel in downtown Kyoto

I really enjoyed my 6-night stay (on vacation). The hotel was modern, clean and in very good condition. The room size was typical for Japanese standards (i.e., cozy for two people). I enjoyed the complimentary morning English newspaper and green tea. The location is perfect for sightseeing. It is just a block away from Exit 6 of the Karasuma Oike station, at the intersection of the Karasuma and Tozai lines. That is just three stops from Kyoto Station and even closer to a primary bus connection stop.

Very satisfied with Hotel Monterey Kyoto

My travel partner and I enjoyed a wonderful 9-night stay at the Hotel Monterey Kyoto. The location of the hotel was very convenient, within walking distance from the Karasuma-Oike subway station, several restaurants, banks, an international phone, and a Starbucks. Although we did not use the concierge service, every employee we met was friendly, polite, and helpful. Prior reviews were very helpful and accurate in describing the hotel and its features. I would definitely recommend this hotel to other travelers visiting Kyoto.

Traveler's tip

If you plan to do a lot of travel and sight-seeing around Kyoto, I would recommend buy the 1-day or 2-day subway and bus passes available for sale at the hotel. They cost as much as about 10 subway or bus trips, so they’ll pay for themselves if you do a lot of running around the city.

More than I expected!!!

Hotel Monterey Kyoto was a great experience for me. It was my first time staying in Kyoto. I was greeted at the door upon arrival and was rushed trough the check-in proceedure and I was in my room before I knew it. Very nice considering the 18 hours + flight time. The room was very nice. Th bathroom was awesome. I have never experience an autowash system before!!! Can’t wait to do it again!! I can’t say anything bad about my experience.

Traveler's tip

From Itami to Kyoto I used MK Shuttle service (they can be found online). Once again wonderful service! Also took the pain out of getting to and from the airport to the hotel.

Excellent service at a decent price in Kyoto

Overall, a good value in the "mid-tier" hotel class. Relatively large room (for Japan) that easily accommodated three people. Location was 2-3 subway stops from the main train station and was convenient for almost all of our sightseeing activities. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. Would stay there again.

Nice Hotel, Great Location, Great Service

I loved my stay at the Hotel Monterey in Kyoto. The location was really convenient. A very short walk from the Karasuma Oike subway station where Kyoto’s two subway lines intersect. The hotel is beautiful. The staff are very attentive, and speak English very well. I can’t say enough nice things about it. It was great. I would recommend it to anyone staying in Kyoto.

Our best hotel in Japan

The hotel is beautiful and the staff very friendly and helpful. For instance, we also went to the Park hotel in Tokyo which is a 4 stars hotel and more expensive but we preferred the Hotel Monterey. It was just perfect and worth the price. I highly recommend it.

Excellent choice

I stayed at Hotel Monterey Kyoto for four nights. The rooms are a little larger than typical for Japanese hotels. The location is good, near the Karasuma Oike subway station, about three stops from Kyoto station. I made use of the concierge service and it was very helpful. The price was a little more than typical, probably due to the larger rooms. No free Internet, there is a kiosk that gives 10 minutes access for 100 Yen. The rooms are very clean, the staff extremely courteous and most speak English. Of all the hotels I stayed at during a trip to Japan this was the nicest, but also the most expensive.

Lots of character with modern rooms

Very nice place in Kyoto. Rooms were decent size, clean, and modern. Good location, near a subway and walking distance to the downtown area.

REALLY HELPFULL STAFF, VERY POLITE, VERY GOOD OVERALL

REALLY HELPFULL STAFF, VERY POLITE, VERY GOOD OVERALL

Good value

The rooms are very small but I think that’s to be expected in Kyoto. The service is very good and the location is perfect for exploring all parts of the city. Only one english TV station and it’s BBC World News which seems to be 75% news about Zimbabwe! Aaaargh!

Will definitely go back.

Location is excellent--right in the heart of Kyoto, and close to bus and subway stations. The former bank building is very elegant and well maintained.

Great place. Great staff. Great concierge.

A terrific hotel. Beautiful lobby and rooms. State of the art amenities. Extremely attentive staff who helped make the most of our stay. Close to the subway and walking distance from lots of attractions, all the major shopping areas and great restaurants. A short cab ride to other attractions. A great value compared to other places I stayed in Kyoto. Don’t miss the shrine right across the street. It’s where the art of flower arranging is said to have begun.

Nice hotel

Good location, friendly staff, very comfortable and clean

Separate floor for ladies

A pretty hotel not far from teramachi shopping, Nishiki food market, major department stores. Taxi drivers were not familiar with this hotel so be prepared with the address and map. While there is no free lobby internet access, there is a Kinko’s nearby. You can pack light since robes, slippers, pajamas and many toiletries are provided. All staff members were very pleasant and helpful.

Traveler's tip

You can have your luggage sent ahead to your next destination for a nominal fee. This is a great service when you are going around the country by shinkansen. Allow at least 24 hours.

Outstanding location and quality

Loved this hotel - definitely recommend it to travellers of all types.

Traveler's tip

Take exit #6 from the Karasuma-Oike metro stop. The hotel is a block away.