Sumiya RyokanvsRIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Both properties are rated very highly by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto scores significantly better than Sumiya Ryokan. RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto comes in at #11 in Kyoto with praise from 4 sources including Lonely Planet, Fodor's and oyster.com.
Sumiya Ryokan
433 Shirakabecho, Nakagyo-ku, Fuyacho Sanjo-kudaru, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8075
From $0/night
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Refrigerator
Frommer's
"Like the other traditional Japanese inns listed here, the 100-year-old Sumiya has a great location in a typical Kyoto neighborhood just a few minutes' walk from bustling downtown." Full review
i
The oldest rooms employ a striking variety of different woods in their design (be sure to notice the Edo-Era designs on the sliding doors), while rooms in a 45-year-old addition may have sliding screen doors that open onto a private garden.
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
1 Taimatsucho, Horikawa-Shiokoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 600-8237
From $72/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Shuttle Bus
- Laundry Service
Frommer's
"Rooms are comfortable enough, with adequately sized standard rooms that feature shoji screens and window panels that close for darkness." Full review
Fodor's
"Even the smallest rooms at this well-established chain hotel are warm and inviting, with delicate shoji windows and elegant bath furnishings." Full review
Lonely Planet
"This long-running hotel has all the facilities that you’d expect from a first-class hotel, including a revolving rooftop restaurant." Full review
Star Service
"Located 500 meters west of Kyoto Station, this property is five minutes by bus from central shopping and businesses." Full review
i
Staffers seem to ignore special requests in favor of handling the masses more efficiently, but business travelers can sometimes weave in and out between the tourist crowds without qualm.
Oyster
Upper-middle-range
"This large-scale, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel, with 482 guest rooms and suites, is within a 10-minute walk of Kyoto Station, the city's main transportation hub." Full review