Kyoto was surprisingly full during our stay Apr 3 - 6 and we ended up booking Aranvert DELUXE double rooms. Paid a hefty premium, and am sad to say we were not impressed at all.

Upon arrival at the hotel via cab from KYOTO JR STATION (abt 5-10 mins cab ride), it looked grand enough, the lobby. But we were disappointed once we reached our rooms.

1. the non smoking room reeked of cigarette smoke. at least the staff came with a sanitizer spray when we brought it up, but it didn't help the smell. i think the reason is because they allow guests to smoke in their rooms on the non smoking floor and the aircon ducts are linked. why would they provide ashtrays to guests on a non smoking floor?

2. we went out later one morning, and saw that the chambermaids had left all the doors of the rooms to be cleaned wide open, and were actually no where in sight. there were easily 10 doors open, and only 2-3 chambermaids in the respective rooms cleaning. this is really a security/privacy breach. i could have gone into the empty rooms freely. needless to say, we put the "do not disturb" sign on the door thereafter and lived with not having our rooms made up.

3. they have no technical staff. no matter what issues you report, the staff sent to assist are the front desk staff. i needed my baby crib adjusted and the front desk staff came but had no clue what to do for like 10 mins. in the end, we did it ourselves with their tools. also, i had trouble with the washing machine, and the front desk staff also had no clue how to work it.

As for the location of the hotel, it is situated in GOJO, which is nearer the JR Kyoto Station than SHIJO (where all the shrines/food markets are situated at), but really is not near anything else (except for a MacDonald's). It was a gd 10-20 mins walk (depending on speed) to either SHIJO or KYOTO Station.

i think this hotel survives mainly based on the many tour groups that stay there. during our 4 night stay, we say several large tour groups checking in and out.

i will not return to this hotel again.

Considering how overprised and overrated everything in Kyoto is, this hotel delivers for exactly how much we paid. 200$ per night in high season seemed to be reasonable ( cherry blossom season, everything else was booked)/ Rooms are small. Bathroom had someones's hairs.
Cheap toiletries - ( we survived on what we had brought with us). NO international TV channels. Timid and not friendly stuff. Awfull smell in the restaurant during breakfast time. ( had breakfast just once there - not worth it - not because of money ( about 17$), but because you spoil your own mood for entire day. It is just much better to go outside - or , if you eant to splurge - go to Hyatt for grand breakfast and western food).
Overall - just remember how little you paid - and do not epect any luxuries for this price.

I just spent four nights at Aranvert Hotel Kyoto, and I really enjoyed my stay there. I would definitely go back again. I was able to get a good deal because I was with a conference (single room + breakfast for $90/night).

Pros:
* Heated seat and bidet in the bathroom. Nice deep tub. Great water pressure in the shower.
* Wonderful Japanese bath on the top floor!
* Great breakfast buffet that accommodates all tastes.
* Reasonably convenient location.
* Staff speak reasonable English.
* Free Internet (but wired only).
* Standard amenities (hair dryer, etc.)

Cons:
* Room is slightly small. No dresser or drawers for your clothes --- only a closet.
* Furnishings and carpet show a lot of wear. No bother to me because the place was definitely clean.
* Not enough plugs.
* Hallway and room smelled like cigarette smoke. (I think the problem is that Japan is still basically a smoking society and so doesn't really get the whole non-smoking thing. I didn't find it to be a big problem, but you might if you are especially sensitive to smoke.)

Kyoto was practically booked when we arrived. We found this place online on some booking site. It was about $150/night. The hotel was clean, nothing special for a business hotel. The Japanese shower upstairs is a small bonus, if you are up for the task. The staff were great. But, I am trying to figure out if it was more them fascinated with my sister's ability to speak Japanese. They speak English, but we got more help through my sister. Good location, relatively close to the Eki--you can walk, probably about 20 mins. The subway station was really close though!!