More about Hotel Monterey Kyoto
Hotel Monterey Kyoto
by TripAdvisor Member MurreMustikka
We stayed in Hotel Monterey Kyoto for 10 days in April 2008 in a standard twin room, and it was a pleasant experience. Room was new, clean, well equipped and sufficiently large for a longer stay (meaning that it was still possible to move in the room after opening the suitcase which is usually not the case). There was free internet connection and ethernet cable, pyjamas, water boiling device and a small refrigerator in the room. Beds were large and comfortable. Breakfast was not included in the price and it was expensive, 2700 yen per person. We ate in nearby coffee shops (there are four cafeterias within 100 meter distance from the hotel) or bought food from the supermarkets and had breakfast in the room. Bathroom was nice and large, and there was a bath tube. A coin laundry was located one block north from the Karasuma Oike subway station (we got a map from the front desk). Sights and shops were in walking distance or could be easily reached by subway (e.g. around 30-45 min walk to Kiyomizudera temple and 10 min walk to Shijo shopping and restaurant street). Small inconveniences were that there was only one key to the room and that there was cigaret smell in the room. The non-smoking room should have been requested beforehand as there were none free when we arrived but we were able to change the room for the last nights.
Great hotel in a great location in Kyoto
by TripAdvisor Member tacitvs
We stayed here two nights in March 2008. The hotel is a little far from the Kyoto train station, but if you take a bus or subway (2 stops north) it is not bad. Once there, we found it to be a great "base" to explore from in terms of proximity to a number of sites and shopping areas.
The front desk staff were very friendly, and the lobby is quite nice. We ended up in a room with two twins (all that was available), but it was quite spacious and clean. The bathroom was also very nice.
The price was a bit higher than other comparable hotels we stayed at in Japan, so I wouldn't call the Monterey a "bargain". But overall, it was was very good and we would definitely consider staying here again if we are ever in Kyoto.
Excellent Service and location
by TripAdvisor Member DaveySF
This hotel has a European flair in decorations and motifs and is located centrally in downtown Kyoto. We originally wanted to get a hotel near the Kyoto train station (we arrived from Tokyo via the Shinkansen bullet train), but we came to Kyoto during the Cherry Blossom season and all major hotels near the Kyoto Train Station were booked. So we took the advice of Trip Adisor travelers and booked this hotel. It turned out to be a great decision. This hotel is centrally located to all major tourist attractions - most of which are walkable from this hotel.
From the Kyoto Train Station, take the Karasuma subway line north 3 stops to Karasuma Oike Station. Get out at exit #6. Make a right, walk about 2 blocks past the book store and the Starbucks and arrive at the hotel.
Service is excellent and rooms are very clean and comfortable - although a bit small by Western standards. The heated toilet seats are kinda nice, but the TV channels are limited as is Video on Demand, but we came to Kyoto not to sit in the hotel room.
The hotel is located in the downtown business district and we didn't find too many restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Those on a tight budget can head over to Starbucks or the (one of a kind) Lawsons for a quick bite. We simply walked over to the Teramachi shopping arcade where plenty of restaurants and shops can be found. For a quick bite for those on the go, we found the Gourmet City grocery store to be great.
We weren't very fond of having to turn in our hotel key to the front desk every time we left the room, but after we saw the size/weight of the key chain, this was no longer an issue.
Overall, nice European style hotel in an excellent central location with easy access to the subway.
Funky and new
by TripAdvisor Member mimimorang
Stayed at the Kyoto Monterey for 2 nights in the beginning of March. Neat hotel, funky decor. Followed the subway exit directions from one of the other tripadvisor reviews. It's a two minute walk from the station down from the Starbucks.
The hotel staff really go out of their way to help their guests. The morning we arrived, our room was not ready so we headed out to explore Kyoto. Didn't get more than a block away when it started to snow! We ran back to grab our umbrellas in our suitcases but the kind gentleman who was in the lobby told us to wait and he ran to retrieve an umbrella for us.
Explored Kyoto by city bus, we bought day passes from the concierge desk for 500 yen. Well worth the price to travel around all day on the buses. Explored Gion and Pontocho districts, some temples and shrines, the Imperial palace tour, and the Monkey park in Arashiyama.
Nice amenities, pajamas are provided in different sizes, comfortable beds, decent sized room, everything you need. Great hotel, we'd stay again.
Smart Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member andybeds
I stayed here for 2 nights.
It's a very smart botique hotel. Funky room and bathroom decor.
Restraunt is expensive. 800 yen for cup of coffee.
I found a small cafe around the corner - on the way to the subway, that is excellent value. It's off the main road, theres a sign pointing it out. At the time of writing this review, the block next door to it is under construction.
Very nice bed, comfy!
Plenty of service - actually too much service! The staff go out of their way to help, sometimes they try a bit too hard. The porter insisted on carrying to luggage into the room, and discussing all room features which was a bit annoying. I struggled with the aircon, despite a card in English.
Location is fairly good, it's 2.5 blocks from the nearest station.
For internet, you have to leave the hotel, walk 1/2 a block down and use a print centre internet terminal-quite expensive at 200yen/10 minutes. Try using the internet cafe at the tourist info at the station for 100yen/15 minutes instead.
TV has one English channel - BBC World.
I paid £115/night, did not include breakfast, so it was quite expensive.
A gem in a special city
by TripAdvisor Member jason416
At 15,300 yen a night (~US$153) I was treated to a superb room in a conveniently located hotel with the friendliest and most helpful hotel staff I have ever encountered. It was a perfect way to stay in a charming city that I hold dear to my heart.
Location - just south of Karasuma-Oike station. Starbucks, Circle-K, and Family Mart convenience stores great for snacks, a quick bite and any supplies you may need. Not as convenient as staying right by JR Kyoto - but nonetheless accessible.
Rooms - previous reviews are bang on. Everything you could ask for is available in the room. Free internet, to bar fridge, a variety of sizes of pyjamas, two different types of slippers, LCD TV, humidifier, kettle, hair dryer, separate cups for tea, coffee and water, body sponge, soap/conditioner/shampoo, drinkable water (all water in the hotel is filtered)
Service - this is what made my stay memorable. The reception desk staff were so friendly. I asked for directions to Pontocho-dori and the concierge gave me detailed directions plus a map specifically for my trip. Extremely cordial in all of our interactions.
The only awkward aspect of the hotel is the room key (an actual key+key chain not an access card) - everytime you leave the hotel you have to return it back to the front desk. Also when you enter the room you have to place your hotel key on a sensor in order to activate the lights, AC, etc. in the room.
Accomodations in Kyoto are pricy and with the going rate of hotels at 11-12,000 yen for a lower-end hotel - I would recommend spending a few extra yen for a memorable stay here.
Good hotel
by TripAdvisor Member canadiantrotter
My Girlfriend and I spent 6 days in Kyoto (2 weeks in Japan), and were not so sure about the Monterey location, but decided to book it. The location itself was quite good, considering the fact the its located in the middle of the city. The metro station (Karasuma oike) is about 4 minutes walk, but if you plan doing side daytrips for severals days (Himeji, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Koyasan, etc), you might wanna get closer to Kyoto Station to get the Shinkansen, if you are allergic to the metro, since a taxi ride from Monterey to Kyoto Station is around $15 US...
Pontocho dori was about $12 taxi ride...Nijo castle 15 minutes walk, etc...
The rooms are very clean, modern (the Hotel is kinda new, and it shows), excellent bath, and not that small for Japanses standards...windows are openable, minibar with poor choice of drinks, but can use the fridge for the drinks that you can buy at Familymart at 15 seconds walk from the hotel...
The western breakfast was awfull. As for the hotel restaurants, I would really avoid the Japanese restaurant, as I ordered a steak...and recieved 6-7 tiny cubes of steak that I had to cook on a rock. The concept is great and the beef was delicious, but man...$50 for what I consider an appetizer...(?)
And there is one thing that I still dont understand about that Hotel...the security circus....They inserted a chip in your room key (key...not a card) that you have to pass over a lector in order to open glass security automated doors (?), and give your key when you leave the hotel...I didnt see any diplomats or politicians at the hotel...so it was kinda weird...
But besides that, I will try another hotel next time in Kyoto, but would not be disapointed if we had to return to the Monterey.
by Canadiantrotter, Montreal, Canada
Perfect!!! 100% Come Here. No regrets!!! The best
by TripAdvisor Member VacationJohn
Perfect is the word!!! Yeah everone says the room is small, it is, but who cares.
If you are traveling to Kyoto Japan stay here. Everything is close.
If you arrive at the Kyoto Train Station, you can try to take a subway car closer to the hotel but just take a cab it cost 880 yen ( $8.80 US). After you get off the HR Haruka Kyoto Direct find your way to the surface and hail a cab. We took a sub car and it was scary because the instructions were in japanese, but we made it.
The imperial palace is a 15 minute walk. The castle is a 20 min walk. The gardens are a 20 min walk. Or to visit any of these the cab fare will NEVER be above 900 yen ( $9.00 US).
For us fellow husbands, the bathroom is perfect for our wifes, the water pressure is great and the toilet seat is warm, yes warm. Plus the bathroom in the bar called the library has the female toilet seat open upon entering the stall, so says my wife.
Plus one more point. After your settled in, spend the 900 yen on a cab go back to the Kyoto Station, find your self on floor 9F that leads you to the international tourist room. They speak english. You can use internet and ask directions. If you go and find it, ask to goto Saga, where the monkey forest is. Yes the monkey forest. There is a boat ride that will make you and your wife remarry. Anyways, have fun.
Lovely hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Hainult
We stayed only a night here as part of a Shinkansen-hotel package. The hotel was lovely and fairly new. It was located near a subway station which was 3 stops from the Kyoto train station. Nearby was the Manga museum, museum of Kyoto. Getting around by bus to the sights was easy though the nearest bus stops where some distance away - about 200 to 300metres walk. We tried walking to the Imperial palace. that took us between 20-30mins mostly because we had to walk through the park.
Overall hotel decor was interesting. Sort of old european but with a good dash of modern. You have to see it to understand! But it was beautiful. The rooms where small but comfortable. 2 packs of green tea were provided in the room to help you relax. Bed was comfortable. Toilet cistern had the usual funky features you see around Japan. A good range of toiletries was provided so don't worry if you forget that comb or toothbrush!
Service was good too. We got to the hotel way too early for check in. The front desk kept our bags while we explored the city and they had the bags delivered to the room once it was ready. That was a nice touch! They were also very helpful with providing directions to get around the city. Front desk even gave us a map and list which shows the various modes of transport from the hotel to the major sights. They spoke English pretty well which helped a lot seeing that we couldn't speak japanese!
Amazing Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Lily00
We stayed for 5 nights in late May 08, and it was fantastic. We came into the hotel about 10 in the morning, and they checked our bags into the back room with smiles. Coming back to check in, the bags were already in the room (that they showed us to) and there was a handwritten note wishing us a good stay.
We stayed in a standard two twin room, which was very new (hotel having opened in 07). The decor was a little bright, and maybe a little too pink-ish for a guy's liking but we loved it. The view was the backs of some buildings, but no complaining. The bathroom was clean, with the usual things plus one of the fancy Japanese toliets with warmers and bidets.
The hotel has an information desk up front where you leave your key to ask all your traveling questions about how to get to where and such, in English. Plus they have bus cards there to buy, very conveinent.
There are lots of fabulous eating and shopping in the area. Go down to Shijo street and go east, there is a Mos Burger is particular, something not to miss out on in Japan even if it is a burger joint. If you head farther to the karamachi subway station there is a white building that will say Sweets Paradise on the side, it’s on the 6f of the building and its a $15 dollar/ 1480 yen dessert buffet.
To get here from Kyoto station definitely takes a cab unless you want to haul luggage up and down subway stairs (like we did the first time). But besides when carrying heavy luggage use the subway to get to/from Kyoto station or the buses to get around. Taxi's start at 620 yen, and get expensive quick. A one day bus card gets you all around the city for 500 yen, and the subway is only 210 yen to Kyoto station. If you are coming from Kyoto station its 3 stops away, at Karasuma-oike station. Find the south exit, and use exit number 5. It spits you out by a starbucks, and turn left to see the hotel. Both the buses and the subways have English everywhere so they are easy to use, not scary as other reviews of this hotel have said.
The French restaurant Escale is wonderful restaurant but you cannot order ala carte and get near full. Order the 5000yen or 7000yen course instead. We had the 5000yen course, a 7 course dinner with appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert, coffee/tea service, and another dessert. It is not a place for vegetarians with meat everywhere but the desserts, but it is delicious. But you have to be adventurous, there is no English on the menu and you'll have a hard time figuring out exactly what everything is. It took us about 2 hours to finish though they brought the courses out one after the other.
Photos
Myoshinji Temple
Matsuo Shrine Honden
Kyoto Tower seen from Kiyomizudera
The gates with gold-colored trims!
Forum Posts
Arashiyama and Sagano
by ozbrian
We arrive in Kyoto midday on Nov 29, we are there all day 30th and depart midday on Dec 1. (Sun pm, all day Mon and Tues am) We would like to do a half day tour to the Bamboo Groves. It seems that the guided tours I've found only go on Wednesdays and Saturdays? Is there a reason for this that makes travel on other days impossible? If not how would I go about getting from Hotel Monterey Kyoto to the Sagano and Arashiyama districts and back in half a day. The guided tours I've seen take approx 4 hours.
Thanks
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