"Fantastic property in Kyoto, however located in the very touristic and crowded area of the city. Difficult getting in and out of the hotel due to the constant flow of tourists. It is a beautiful property, however they have very commercial rooftop bar that attracts guests from outside the hotel and diminishes the exclusive feel of the hotel. Breakfast choice is quite limited. Fantastic service in the lounge and during check in, a little bit less sincere and courteous by other staff members. The story of the renovated old school not fully and properly used to build better guest experience. Overall, very trying."

"Our first trip to Kyoto (and Japan itself) and wow what an experience. The hotel is absolutely beautiful (opened in 2020 after being renovated when the former elementary school closed in 2010). The staff offers impeccable service, the food is amazing, and it’s in a convenient location, close to many things that you’d want to explore in Kyoto. The room and bathroom is spacious and well designed. Don’t forget to check out the rooftop bar for lovely views. I can’t recommend this hotel enough."

"This fine establishment located in the heart of one of the most visited temples in Kyoto is a gem. Not only the building is a wonderful design (remodeled from a former elementary school) in which architecture and interior design is perfectly made, but the service. Oh, the service, so many attentive employees making your stay a truly wonderful and unique experience. The only flaw (and it’s no fault of the hotel) is that there are hundreds of people walking past the hotel entrance and it takes a while to get into an out of the building because of a bottleneck caused by a traffic jam and crowded streets (imagine getting out of a concert). I give this hotel a 10/10 and will go there again and again if I could. Great team, great service, great establishment."

"Loved our experience at this delightful boutique hotel right in the middle of the Higashiyama district of Kyoto! Our room was beautiful, spotless, and very comfortable after long days exploring Kyoto. The bathrooms were large with a beautiful bath and shower, and fully equipped with everything you might possibly need. The staff were all excellent at every step of the way — from the front desk to the servers to the porter. Everyone we encountered went out of their way to be helpful. The building (an old elementary school transformed into a hotel) was so charming. And while it’s in the middle of all the action it’s set back from the street, so it feels quiet and removed from the crowds. One of my favorite parts of this hotel is the breakfast room (and at night, sushi bar), which is also an elegant library. You are free to borrow a book during your stay — you can bring it up to your room and simply leave it there when you check out. This was just an example of the small things that made the hotel feel special. There is also a comfortable lounge, with lovely views of the garden and pagoda, which offers complimentary drinks and small bites throughout the day. Tip: if you are taking a cab and arriving during peak hours, plan on extra time to get to the hotel as the crowds in the area are really something else. But once you step on to hotel grounds the energy becomes peaceful and serene."