The Kanra is one of those hotels that goes for design awards at the expense of practical functionality travelers expect. The lighting over the in-room double sinks is so poor that shaving or putting on makeup is difficult, at best, What little storage there is is taken up by the hotel's paraphenalia (tea sets, rice cooker, room service menus, etc.). The same goes for places to store toiletries: aside from a good-sized table in the sitting area, there's no unoccupied horizontal space to put anything. I'm sure the architect & interior designer are pleased with the awards & kudos they've received for the Kanra. But I'll bet they stay somewhere else when they're in town.

I am blown away by this hotel. The room is both authentic yet modern. Beautiful design and decor. Feels like Japan. Not your corporate feel. Wooden bathtub and lively shower, the entire shower room smells like a pine forest. The huge bed is very comfi. My only complaint isthat room maid knocked on the door around 8:30AM despite "do not disturb sign". She woke me up. But not do bad since lots to see in Kyoto:)
This hotel will certainly be one of the most memorable luxury hotels I've ever stated at!

Unbelievably good. The quality of the room and its fittings will make you giggle with astonishment and excitement. First class hotel and ranks right alongside some of the rooms at the big hotel chains like Ritz Carlton and Fours Seasons groups I have stayed at. The exception is that here as the hotel is so small the service goes beyond anything I have experienced before. Simply amazing. The entire front desk couldn't have been more helpful with suggestions and recommendations and one of them (Tabata) went out of her way to make our stay as enjoyable as it was. Our two nights there went too quickly. Tip - Take advantage of the free bicycles the hotel offers and take yourself for a self guided tour of the city. Given you can ride on the footpaths it makes for a fanstatically safe way to see the sights. Oh...and get your breakfast outside the hotel. What they charge at the in house restaurant for breakfast is rather sill so we just skipped it and ate at local cafes for a fraction of the price.Can't recommend this hotel strongly enough. Nor its staff. All first class. The only drawback would be total lack of stroage space. Zero. none. But lilving out of a suitcase for 2 nights is not a hardship at this place.

This hotel is a gem. Bouique hotel focused on service and your experience. Stayed for 4 nights. Staff are amazing - dedicated to you for your stay. Largest bed I have ever slept in - 2 queen beds put together. Had the duplex suite - worth the money for space and amenities. The cedar bath is great after a day of touring - and it holds two comfortably! The outdoor zen area off the downstairs living room is a treat for sipping sake. Bath amenities are top flight. The top-of-the line Toto will not disappoint in the bathroom. Our room faced the street, but was shielded from most street noise - light sleepers may need white noise. One thought is that with the size of the bed, suitcase storage can be limited. When you enter it is Zen-like - colored lighting, small restaurant. The taxi drops you off beside the 7-11 as the entrance is slightly down a side street - this adds to the feeling you are definitely in Kyoto - this is good. Most guests appeared to be American or European. Overall - 5 stars. Highly recommended. Taxis in Kyoto are expensive for getting around - 640 yen to start. Metro is limited as Metro does not exchange with private railways or JR, but a 2 block walk away to Gojo Station. Get the JR Pass and use it for the trip from Tokyo and vist Nara and Arayshimaya. Nara is well signed; Arayshimaya unsigned for English - but you will get lots of help when you are standing in front of a signpost. Hotel is a walk from the tourist sites, but learn to use Metro, bus and trains and you will get the better travel experience. Amazing trip made exceptional by the staff at Kanra.