Hotel Monterey Kyoto

We enjoyed our stay and were particularly pleased with the clean room and bathroom. The lobby is a bit kitschy and somewhat odd but I found the staff to be extremely helpful in providing information on bus routes, restaurants etc. I highly recommend this hotel.

Good value for the money. The property has pleasantly quirky decor, and is spotless and well-maintained. The English-speaking concierge, front desk, and bell staff are all very courteous and helpful. The rooms are well-furnished and large by Japanese standards, and the bathrooms are functional for both Japanese and Western users. The Spa on the 13th (top) floor of the hotel is beautiful and well worth the extra fee.

Type:Dining Distance: Short walk from hotel

Misoka-An

Soba (buckwheat) noodles to die for. Interior is beautifully rustic and in good taste. Concierge can tell you how to find it.

This hotel is in a great location, halfway between the station and the Imperial Palace. For adventure i walked to the palace and Nijo castle, and saw alot of Kyoto. I also walked to the Hein shrine. It is about 3 miles to palace, 4 to Nijo, and 5 to Hein? it is a good walk but you can see so much along the tiny sidestreets, the small shops and markets are excellent. No tour would take you down these streets. Also, when at the hotel, walk out and take a right, first intersection turn left and cross the street, walk down the street and you will find the shirne for Flower Arranging. Bring bread crumbs for the pigeons, they will land all over you, even your head for the food. it is so much fun, found this place by accident and the birds are so funny. It was one of the highlights of the trip. At the hotel ask for a map and it is the shrine across the street from the hotel. you wont see it until you are on top of it. \nThe hotel is VERY clean, the staff is by far the best i have encountered. Much better hotel then the one i stayed at in Tokyo. The room is soptless each time and you dont have to worry about your valuables. The room is large (stayed in signel and in japan sngles are very small) Room was very comfortable and the only hotel in Japan where the tub was big enough to take a bath in. I will definatley stay at this hotel again, and when i travel again to Japan i will look for their chain in the other cities.

Type:GettingAround Distance: Long walk from hotel

The sights

If up for some walking Kyoto is place to do it. The city, with a map, is very hard to get lost in. The city (unlike other japanese towns) has their streets named and the city is laid out in a grid. From Hotel Monterrey you can walk to the Palace, Nijo, Hein Shrine, and do stop at the Kyoto Handicrat center. It is fun place and you can purchase items duty free. Plus they have workshops on Japanese crafts. Nice place to spend an afternoon if interested in woodblock prints or other crafts and arts.