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4.0
#70 of 345 hotels in Kyoto
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Renovated in September 2016, our hotel provides all the necessary comforts while maintaining the traditions of a brand that has proudly hosted royalty. With all new facilities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, six restaurants, a luxurious bar, a heated indoor pool, and a modern fitness gym, we gladly extend our welcome to families, businessmen, and tourists alike. Located near the hub of transportation, Kyoto Station, we are convenient for those traveling from Kansai International Airport or any major city within Japan as well as just a short walk from World Heritage sites, the Kyoto Aquarium, and the Kyoto Railway Museum. In addition, we provide complimentary shuttle service to the station and 117 free parking spots, making us a perfect base for exploring the ancient capital during your travels.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto garners praise for its prime location near Kyoto station and shopping hubs, though the occasional rail noise has been mentioned by some guests. The hotel's cleanliness and modern amenities contribute to an atmosphere likened to a 5-star establishment, with particular commendation for the pristine rooms and pool area.
While the spacious rooms are a highlight, guests have called out the need for updates and better maintenance. Opinions on value and service show a divide; the expensive breakfast and chargeable amenities contrast with the appreciation for on-site dining and the staff's helpfulness.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Sophisticated
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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This hotel is a fantastic option for tourists in Kyoto. While it's conveniently situated not far from Kyoto Station, it enjoys a serene and tranquil location that offers respite from the city's bustle. It's just a 15-minute walk from the station, and for added convenience, the hotel provides a shuttle service. The rooms are spacious and come equipped with all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. The hotel staff is exceptionally attentive, and one standout member, Nguyen Thithuy at the reception, consistently went above and beyond with a warm and welcoming smile, making guests feel right at home. The on-site restaurants provide top-notch service, ensuring that dining is an enjoyable experience. This hotel comes highly recommended for tourists looking to make the most of their stay in Kyoto.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Higher floor rooms offer better view.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The staff are very polite when checking in. They have a airport shuttle from Kyoto station if required too. We used it when checking out. The hotel is only a 8min walk from Kyoto.
The room we got was a twin. It was ok, clean and bigger rooms than other hotels. The hotel is very clean.
The breakfast has a good spread but after eating the same thing for 9 days you get fed up. It never changes however I believe they are refreshing this option.
They have a mineral water machine onceach floor so you can refill your bottle if required. We had issues trying to get an iron when calling housekeeping they kept putting the phone down on us or didn't talk when we spoke English or tried to translate in Japanese. Eventually we got one.
The housekeeping is very good and fast. Overall my stay was ok.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stayed at the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto as part of a tour group. The hotel is conveniently situated walking distance from Kyoto Station and various inexpensive restaurants in the Station. Our room was a twin room and the smallest room we stayed in during our tour. It was awkward to open our suitcases and leave them open in the room and there was not a wardrobe but rather open hanging space. The room and bathroom were both spotlessly clean. The bathroom didn't have a clothes line over the bath to hang hand washing on. The beds were comfortable. The breakfast buffet was quite good but it was difficult to find egg dishes.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stay here for 3 nights booked through hotels.com included ABF The reason we book this hotel cause it close to Kyoto station with free shutter bus. The price consider high with all additional charge for the using hotel facilities such as swimming pool and gym. Our room located quite far from the elevator with very long long corridor. Breakfast almost the same dishes everyday. We had been asked for the charging of the bottles of drinking water in room even there were a hotel logo at the bottles. The hotel staffs told us that there is no complimentary drinking water in room. We was really disappointed that the big hotel like this has no provide complimentary drinking water. For the entire trip in Japan, this was the first hotel that we been charged for the bottles of drinking water in room.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Explorer810241, マネージャー at RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Responded 06 Apr 2020
Dear Keent2019 - san, Thank you very much for staying at our hotel. Also, thank you for choosing our hotel from many hotels. However, I apologize for any inconvenience caused by having you pointed out. We will continue to devote our efforts to improving based on your opinions so that we can offer you a better stay. We look forward to the your next visit to Japan, and thank you for receiving valuable opinions. Thank you. With best regards, Manager
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The exterior of the hotel is quite uninviting. Once inside you find a large well lit lobby, although it is very outdated and needs renovation to bring it up to date. The location of this hotel is not very convenient to stores or restaurants, but it is a 15 minute walk to Kyoto's Porto station where every type of store can be found. There is a free shuttle to and from the hotel.
The staff speak very little English and seem to be doing you a favour when they speak to you. Even a request for a City Map was unsuccessful. The brightest spot in the hotel was the concierge, Hiromi Kato who spoke perfect English and who went over and above to help. She was the best ever!
We were shown to our room which overlooked railway tracks - not too impressed! Our room was pretty basic with an 80's style bathroom which was really badly designed. When the bathroom door was open, two people couldn't be inside at the same time. One good thing was the 'fog free' mirror. There was no make up mirror and the shower was in the bathtub with an old fashioned shower curtain. The water pressure was horrendous, and fluctuated as did the temperature. The worst showers ever. On one occasion the water went from ice cold to boiling hot in the matter of a minute.
If you want to find an English TV channel, [there is only one], or how to work the A/C - all instructions are in Japanese.
The water bottle system is also archaic. You are given a water bottle with instructions to fill it in another room down the corridor. Once you arrive at the designated room, you discover that the bottle is too tall to fit under the refill spout.
There is no coffee shop or gym and there is a charge to use the swimming pool.
Overall very unimpressed.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Let me start with saying that there’s nothing Royal about Rihga. We were welcomed by the uncourteous staff at the hotel reception who asked us to carry our bags ourselves to the room. Rooms are very cramped. House keeping is only done till 12 PM after which you will have to make a special request which is also entertained till 2 PM. Post 2 PM room will not be cleaned. Duvet slides inside the cover and you keep fixing that all night. Breakfast timing is 10 AM but they put a close sign after 9.30 AM and nothing is refreshed after that. They shut the counters and pick up the food at exact 10 AM including the coffee machines. All in all it feels like an army base where you are always on your toes. It felt like the hotel did a favour by letting us stay in their property. This hotel is the only bad experience in my entire 10 day japan tour. The only good thing is the proximity to kyoto station however there are other hotel options nearby.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great hotel, quiet and with a pool and gym (although the pool hours are quiet limited). We stayed in a Luxury Twin Room and it was fantastic - really large with an amazing bathroom that had an enormous bath, rain head shower and separate toilet.
The airconditioning was great which was handy as there was a heatwave when we were there so it was lovely coming back to a cool room.
The room had all the usual features - good size fridge, with free water, a kettle, mugs, iron, hairdryer, robes and slippers. The complimentary shampoo, conditioner and soap was Laura Ashely and lovely. There was also a coffee machine and a tea pot with some beautiful teas.
The only drawback of the room was a polyester quilt cover, which was so slippery, the quilt was not able to stay in place.
The hotel has ice and water machines, really lovely staff who all speak English very well, and a number of shops. While the hotel was only 5 minutes walk from the train station, they have a free shuttle to and from which was great in the hot weather - with enough room to get your luggage on when travelling by train. As is the case pretty much anywhere in Japan, there were a number of convenience stores within walking distance.
The pool was clean but busy (heatwave so not too surprising) although it was one with very limited hours. There was also a large spa and a sauna available in the pool area. The bathroom off the pool has a bather dryer, showers, and a good set up with cleansers, hairdryers etc.
We had the breakfast at the revolving restaurant on our last say and it was fantastic - there was a map of where the produce had come from served with the food.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:The pool has limited hours so check to ensure you an have a dip - so worth it on a hot day. The...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent 3 nights with my family but never coming back again ! Overall services were terrible, awful, worst in my life ... the porter didn’t help to carry our luggages to the room checking in, and to put them into my car after checking out either. The bellboy was just looking at us nearby. Our reservation of the stay was actually split by two and erroneously two different room types were reserved. At the check in, we were asked if we want to move rooms over the stay in accordance with my reservation or do downgrade to stay at the same room - first time to be offered room downgrade. I asked the reception “rooms are fully booked, that’s why you are requesting so, right ?” she said “no, but...”. It was mid-March 2020, imagine. Took almost 30 min for check in. We didn’t feel any hospitality by the staff over the stay at all and therefore, were totally disappointed at the staffs attitudes. I had a chance to speak with the hotel manager over the phone at home after check out and complained with all the above incidents but he said “show me the proof”. He never apologized till the end - the manager’s reaction represents the hotel’s philosophy.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 福井 良, 支配人 at RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Responded 28 Aug 2020
Dear Nomad804817 san, We sincerely thank you for staying with us,and thank you for your taking time to share your feedback.While I wish you had a better experience,it is feedback like this that we learn form and use to improve. We work hard to deliver an exceptional guest experience, and it's apparent in this case that we fell short. We deeply apologize that our services were not done to your satisfaction.We will take the point that you have brought to our attention into careful consideration and will be sure to inform the responsible departments. We will continue to work hard to provide each and every one of our valued guests with the most pleasant stay as possible. If you give us a chance to earn back your trust , I can assure that we will do our best to give you the great hotel experience that so many our guest have enjoyed. Sincerely, Manager
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We have just returned from Japan, the second part being an eight night stay at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Kyoto. This is a big hotel about 10 mins stroll from Kyoto Station, so very handily placed for all those train journeys long and short! Our room for three people was very clean, tidy and comfortable. With a large bathroom and separate toilet. We had two single beds and a third futon bed on the floor with extra futon mattresses tucked away if you wanted more than one to lie on. The Futon as with the two normal beds was very comfortable and added to the whole experience as the main room was a Japanese house style room similar to a Ryokan. This was a pleasant surprise for us but I'm not sure how many of their rooms are styled like this so you may need to ask specifically for this type of room if that is important to you. There was a safe in the room. Breakfast was buffet style downstairs. You could refill your plate / bowl as many times as you wanted. The food was the same choices everyday but there were so many different things you could choose from that you could easily stay there for a week and never eat the same thing twice. There was cooked food, fruit, yoghurt, vegetables, salad, cereal, pastries, omelette and much more. All of the food was very nice and I really would recommend including breakfast in your hotel stay. We only ever had breakfast here so cannot comment on other meals as we were out and about every day. If you want to eat elsewhere there is a large underground shopping mall called Porta directly underneath Kyoto Station about a ten minute stroll away. There was also a very nice Italian style restaurant called Daniel's Mondo down a side street on the right before you get to Kyoto station from the hotel. The staff at the Rihga Royal were all so polite, friendly and helpful. All in all we really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely recommend the hotel and stay here again ourselves. Please see our other reviews on further aspects of our trip to Japan.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stayed in a Japanese-Western room with our six-month-old baby. They lent us a baby futon, bouncer, and diaper trash can, and the plan also included diapers and baby wipes, so we were able to reduce the amount of luggage we had to bring. The room was spacious and comfortable overall. The bathroom was also very spacious and not a unit bath. The shuttle bus staff also guided us to a priority seat, which was nice. The breakfast buffet also had a wide variety of items, and the Japanese side dishes in particular were all elaborate and Kyoto-like, which was nice. I was generally satisfied with the room, service, and breakfast, but when I took a water bottle from the stand where the phone was placed in the room, dust started to fly up, and the rest of the bathroom was very clean, so I would have liked them to clean that area more thoroughly.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Kyoto area.
PRICE RANGE
R 1,307 - R 3,086 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
rihga royal kyoto, kyoto rihga royal hotel
LOCATION
JapanKinkiKyoto PrefectureKyotoShimogyo-ku / Kyoto Station
NUMBER OF ROOMS
489
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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