What kind of city hotel is Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion?
“I want to stay in the Higashiyama area, but it seems like there are only ryokans or luxury hotels in this area. Do you know of any hotels that are reasonably priced, functional, and modern?” I am sometimes asked this question. Most of the ryokans often have limited facilities. Some people don’t like that and find it inconvenient. Also, if you have small children or elderly people with you, some people may find a hotel more comfortable than a ryokan. Or, the price range for luxury hotels in this area is too high. In that case, I would recommend the Hotel the Celestine Kyoto Gion. The property opened in Sep 2017. This is not luxurious. If anything, the property is a modern business hotel. I found the hotel to be very cost-effective.
The location gives you the feel of downtown Kyoto and its lifestyle. When I went out for a walk around 10:00 a.m., I saw many women in kimonos walking to work at small local restaurants, and chefs in kappogi sprinkling water in front of their stores, giving me a taste of the unique atmosphere of the downtown area. *Kappogi is a kind of apron originated.
Also, the neighborhood is fun because there are not only fine dining restaurants but also nice cafes and local bakeries. A short walk will take you to Kiyomizu Temple and Gion, where you can feel the streets of Kyoto.
The moment you enter the hotel, you will be soothed by the incense-like scent of the hotel. The simple, yet Japanese interior design made me feel at home. The walls and ceiling of the lobby are all made of Kurotani Washi, a traditional craft from Kyoto. The facilities are user-friendly and tastefully organized!
The doormen at the hotel made a good impression with a warm smile and professionalism that was impeccable. The reception staff was efficient and polite.
When I stayed there in 2018, the staff seemed to be having a hard time, probably because it had just opened and was very crowded, but when I stayed there in 2021, they were flexible, heartwarming, and courteous.
If I had to say a drawback, it would be that the view from the window is nothing special. Although it is in the Gion area, it is located in a residential area. This area has a strict building code, so it can’t be helped.
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Is the location easy to access?
A free shuttle service is available from the Hachijo Exit of Kyoto Station. Refer to the timetable. Alternatively, it takes less than 10min by TAXI from the station and costs around 1,000JPY. Some of the cab drivers wouldn’t know about this hotel. Please show the address and TEL No. in the below Japanese as they can enter the phone number into the car navigation system to confirm the destination.
ホテル ザ セレスティン京都祇園
〒605-0933 京都府東山区小松町572
電話番号 075 532 3111
Then if you are using public transportation, it would be an inconvenient location. The nearest stations are Kiyomizu-Gojo Station or Gion-Shijo Station, which are about a 15-minute walk away.
Basically, you don’t need to go far during your stay at the hotel. There are many spots within walking distance. A few minutes walk from the hotel to Kiyomizu Temple will give you a wonderful view of the ancient city.
The hotel is located in a quiet area facing Yasaka Street, which is lined with Kenninji Temple and local restaurants and is within walking distance of Kiyomizu Temple and Hanamikoji Avenue.
Then the parking lot is also by reservation only, so if you need it, let the staff know in advance. It costs 2,000JPY per day.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a spacious room as much as possible. Some rooms tend to be cramped. There is no nice view from most of the rooms. Some of the rooms on the fifth floor have views of Higashiyama and Kyoto Tower, but most do not.
The hotel is not located on the main street, so it is very quiet.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, bathrobes, a Japanese tea set, and a coffee machine with capsules, etc.
Then this is child-friendly. Baby cribs are available for borrowing if you request in advance.
Room service is not available. There are some convenience stores nearby. Free WiFi reception was patchy, especially in the evening. It seems to slow down when a lot of guests are using it at the same time.
How about In-house Facilities?
The bar lounge is open between 13:00 and 18:00. Complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks, etc., are available. The lounge becomes a bar after 18:00.
Then there are large communal baths on B1. They are open from 6:00-10:00, 15:00-26:00. *If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the public bathing area.
Then the hotel is a universal design. There is a room for wheelchair users and wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they arrange a room near the lift.
How about meals?
The local breakfast was wonderful. If you love deep-fried fish and vegetables called “Tempura”, you may want to try it. Breakfast was basically a buffet, and although there were not that many different dishes, they were all delicious. Breakfast time is between 6:30 and 10:30. The restaurant was busy when I stayed in 2018. If you want to avoid the crowds, go to the restaurant before 7:00 AM.
Then you can go out for meals as there are many restaurants around the Gion area. It takes around 10min on foot from the property to Gion.
Then most of the restaurants and the cafes in Kyoto city are open from 11:00 AM. You may want to book a room with breakfast.
My impressions
The hotel tends to be relatively crowded because of its excellent value for money, location, and service. In particular, if you are staying here on weekends or during the holiday season, spring or fall, you may want to allow plenty of time for check-in and check-out and for the free shuttle bus.
Lastly, if you stay at the hotel, don’t forget to visit around Kiyomizu Temple. The temple is open from 6:00 in the morning. As you know, it is always crowded in the daytime, but before 8:00 AM, there are hardly any people there. You can see “True Kyoto”. It’s worth a visit.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the hotel from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the hotel on Agoda
Info about Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
| Style | Modern business hotel |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/12:00 |
| Estimated Price | 25,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail | Fill the form in |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the hotel |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The parking lot is available *2,000JPY per day |
| Location | Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion’s MAP |
| Access | 10min TAXI from JR Kyoto Station. Free shuttle service from the station |
| Address and TEL | 572 Komatsu-Cho Higashioji-nishiiru Yasaka-Dori, Higashiyama-Ku Kyoto 605-0933 Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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