The Granvia is everything opposite to what you think a hotel on top of a train station would be like. It's really luxurious and convenient - and the station itself is now a tourist attraction. It is quiet (cannot hear the trains or people), and EVERYTHING is located around this station. The rooms are HUGE in Japanese and American standards, with a sitting area, large closets, big bathroom, etc. The luggage porters help the moment you step into the checkin area, and the staff are really friendly. We enjoyed the proximity to the department stores, the underground mall (porta), and the overall award-winning architecture of thes station made this hotel one of the best we stayed at. It is very clean, and the beds, and linens are luxurious, in keeping with the four star standard. Oddly, they put an extra bed in our room, which they promptly removed with Japanese precision and politeness. The hotel restaurants were good and expensive- and the restaurants at the station even better. I would stay here for a week if I could have, as it is an excellent base (being at the train station), and in central Kyoto.

The room is huge and beautifullly decorated. Since it is situated right in Kyoto JR Station, it is super convenient to stay here after touring around Japan with some luggage. You can go from the train station right to the lobby of this beautiful, but busy hotel very quickly.

There are numerous restaurants located in Kyoto JR Station and besides the bar in Granvia, we ate most of our meals there. For morning coffee and excellent donut, there is Mr. Donut in the Station. Also, there are many food and other storefronts in the basement of the Kytoto Station for gifts and splurges.

Check out the Granvia Bar on top - it's very nice place to relax and hear beautiful piano music with gorgeous view of Kyoto skyline below you. Since I'm from the Bay Area CA, food prices in Japan never shocks me as they are close to what I normally pay. I thought drink prices were fair.

You can easily catch tour buses from across the Kyoto JR station for touring around Kyoto.

The only negative is - well, it's in JR station and lacks the ambiance of Kyoto.

The hotel was perfect - clean, modern, spacious (for Japanese standards) and very centrally located.

Its location directly above the train station was great as we arrived on the bullet train so did not have to worry about finding the hotel and organising transport to get us there.

Our rooms was on the top floor of the hotel (which was not very high) from where we enjoyed views of the city and surrounding hills. The room was very clean and the furnishings/bedding were of good quality. In our room we could hear some noise/announcements from the train station, but we did not find it annoying.

The hotel has a great selection of restaurants and the buffet breakfast is great value for money (we purchased breakfast with the accommodation). We also enjoyed meals at a number of the less expensive restaurants located in and around the train station.

This hotel was a perfect base for touring Kyoto. Centrally located above the main train and bus terminal in the city. The city bus pass represented an excellent value at 500 yen per day. The subway lines were nice too, but the bus was much easier.

The room was clean, and the free internet connection was fast (30meg down / 20 down) . Service was excellent, and our rooms were always cleaned well. We never tried the food in the hotel, as there were many (affordable) options in the malls attached to the train station. Only downside was the lack of an in room safe, but the safety deposit box at the front desk was fine and free. The beds were soft, although firm by western standards. The room was quiet for such a busy and loud location. I heard a train arrival chime early one morning, but never again. It was much quieter than I anticipated for being so close to train tracks. (See room view photo)

An excellent hotel, Highly recommended!