I did a ton of research prior to booking a hotel in Kyoto, and was very gratified with the choice of Kyoto Tower Hotel. It has the most ideal location for being in Kyoto and sightseeing. The hotel's proximity to the train station makes it perfect as this is the de facto center of Kyoto. Also, there is a huge bus hub outside the train station, and it makes it easy to hop on the right bus for visiting the many sites in Kyoto. The train station itself is a remarkable modern building, and the area surrounding the train station is safe and clean. Also, be sure to get the 500 Yen daily pass, which gives you unlimited access to buses.
The hotel is very easy to find as it is across from the main entrance to the Kyoto train station, and has the very recognizable tower. The hotel entrance is on the front left side of the building. In an unusual twist, the reception of the Kyoto Tower Hotel is on the 8th floor.
When I came to check in, they warmly greeted me, processed the paperwork, and took my luggage to store as I had arrived early. The only city map they had was in Japanese, but there is a tourist information center on the 3rd floor of the same building, you just have to exit the building and enter it from the Kyoto Tower entrance, then proceed to the third floor, and they had many detailed maps.
When I got back to the hotel later that night, they had me do the paperwork again, with making passport copies and filling out forms. I told them I was puzzled why I had to repeat this. I got the room key, headed to my room and found out that it was a smoking room. So, I went back to the reception and asked if they had a non-smoking room as I do not smoke, and detest the stale smell in the smoking rooms. The first I asked, he said there were no rooms available. The second time I asked, he said there were no other rooms available. The third time I asked, I reminded about the repetitive paperwork I had done, and suggested that they should seriously look into this even if it involved a room upgrade. So, he asked me to wait a minute. He went inside and was gone for quite a while, but then he emerged and informed me that he was able to secure a non-smoking room for me, and I was very grateful for that.
This room was way better than the original room. It was larger, had access to a balcony with views of the Kyoto Station. It even had a massage armchair, something I have not seen in a hotel room previously. The room was immaculately clean, as is the case with all Japanese hotels I have been in. Wi-Fi worked well. The quality of toiletries was excellent.
Checkout was easy, and they readily stored my luggage for retrieval later in the day. Retrieving the luggage in the evening was a breeze.
I did not have the hotel breakfast as there are many great places nearby. Starbucks is on the corner, and if you go a few steps past Starbucks, there is a delightful French boulangerie and cafe called Delifrance. There are also many great restaurants in the area for dinner. I also found a lovely local store specializing in teas.
I was glad I chose this hotel, and would stay here again. It has the winningest location in Kyoto, and I am happy to recommend it as it is a very dependablle choice.