Hotel Okura Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)

The staff at Kyoto Okura is known to go well above and beyond their expected duties, even upgrading rooms without being prompted or offering travel advice that is invaluable to foreign visitors. You'll be waited on consistently and with amazing service, regardless of which room you book.

Classical museum is performed frequently throughout the premises, lending an air of grace and sophistication to areas such as the main lobby and the cafe. The presence of traditional Japanese culture is also felt throughout the building, making it a truly immersive and enjoyable experience.

You'll fall in love with how close you are to the city's top sites. The beauty of the local mountains sits just behind some of the skyscrapers here, and you'll be able to access nearly every area of the city thanks to its phenomenal metro access and the ease of transferring between lines in Kyoto.

Limited areas of Kyoto Okura, especially given its five-star rating, were a bit too old and outdated to be considered contemporary and comfortable for staying. Areas of guest rooms as well as lobbies were generally fine, but sometimes there were issues with fabric quality or fixtures.

The beauty treatments area and gym are quite strict in their hours, so if you're traveling for work or plan to be out of the hotel during some of its peak hours, you might not be able to access the facilities as intended.

The beds at Kyoto Okura tend to run on the traditional side of things, making them stiffer and less comfortable for most foreign visitors. If you're used to a soft mattress, you may not be prepared for these Japanese-style beds.