Exterior
Check availability

Reviews of The Palace Side Hotel

3 out of 5
The Palace Side Hotel
Karasuma Shimodachiuri Agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 103 out of 483 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 231 out of 483 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 125 out of 483 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 17 out of 483 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 483 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great spot in Kyoto
Great hotel with excellent service. Definitely dated decor but that’s part of its charm. Bikes for rent and excellent location.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay elsewhere.
This hotel is outdated and requires renovation. Our room was not clean and the tray that held glasses looked as if it had cigarette ashes on it. The tables and sideboard were dirty.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good for westerners and had crib
Great spot for western travelers! Although we had 2 twin beds they were comfortable, especially compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at. They were able to supply a baby crib which was a hard to find elsewhere. We could adjust the thermostat which was also nice. The bathroom is small but not as small as other places. Wouldn’t recommend the hotel breakfast but it’s a short walk to fantastic French bakeries (Shinshindo is awesome). Subway and bus stops we’re nearby which made getting around easy. Overall would recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good value
All the basics are taken care of in a good location at a reasonable price.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

carpark is Y1200 per night, published rate different, say cannot accept, must pay Y1200 for carpark, next door is an overnight park of Y400
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Well situated next to the Imperial Palace, and display of art in lobby.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Alex, Washington, DC

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very convenient location next to excellent cafe “Time-doh” and in between Karasuma and Marutamachi subway stations, convenience stores, restaurants. Very nice and helpful front desk staff. Rooms and bath are basic but just what is needed. Overall convenient and good price. I would stay there again because it is close to where I need to be at a very affordable nightly rate.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This hotel is in a great area with easy access to the Imperial Palace grounds, as well as other daily needs like groceries. Very pleasurable stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location
The palace entrance is right across the road. It was very convenient. The staff told us where to see a festival and how to get there. They were very pleasant. It is a nice hotel for such a low price.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

David, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff were incredible.
The staff at this hotel are some of the most helpful and friendly people I've met during my stay in Japan. I'd go back to the palace side hotel just for them the next time I'm visiting Kyoto.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

K, australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly and helpful staff in a clean and comfortable hotel in a very convenient location. Room was slightly bigger than others we have used in Japan. Only real downside is small elevators (barely fit 2 people and luggage) and multiple ambulance sirens as hospital nearby. String quartet concert in the foyer was an added bonus as was offer of free Japanese lessons in the afternoons.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Ma Cynthia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
near Subway - take exit #2 if you don't have heavy luggage. take exit #5 if you need elevator. exit #2 is shorter walk to hotel but there's quite a flight of stairs to conquer. hotel is also an easy walk to the Imperial Palace Park. they have fast WIFI, too.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Kyoko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Andy, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A cozy little hotel
A very neat hotel, very clean with a good breakfast (though you have to buy it- but it's worth it). The only downside is being along a main road, while convenient to find, the traffic can be noisy if you're not a morning person. Other than that, a very good hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

6/10 Okay

Virginia

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
The service staff were not on the same page. There was a lot off miss communication despite the language gap.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2017

8/10 Good

Petra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location and specious room
Great location and a really specious room for Japanese standards. Very nice and helpful staff. I would definitely stay here again if I am in Kyoto and giving the hotel my best recommendation.

8/10 Good

Arnold

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, but washroom is small.
Close to Imperial Palace

6/10 Okay

Elina

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Value for money
Good breakfast

8/10 Good

djemac, france

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hôtel close to Tokyo palace and Subway.
Close to town center (15 to 30 minutes walk) or by subway (station closed to the hotel) Free wifi
View from my room
View from my room

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good for money

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Room comfort

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall Good Hotel.
Very close to the Palace. Easy access to transportation.

6/10 Okay

Kyung M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Not bad
My boyfriend decided to take a bath and flooded the bathroom when he was draining out the water. The water did go down eventually however. It is close to the train station but it is a far walk to downtown. The all you can eat breakfast was good with a variety of choices for 12000 yen. The staff were polite and friendly with a few who couldn't speak English at all.

10/10 Excellent

Alex, Kelowna, BC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable hotel across from Imperial Palace
The room was comfortable and very close to the subway. Many interesting temples within walking distance, not to mention the imperial palace across the street.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel in a good location.
Te Palace side is near subway stations, the Palace (obviously) and castle. The hotel is clean and has excellent facilities. The breakfast was decent. The staff were courteous and helpful. I enjoyed the stay and would recommend it.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
good place to stay
it's was a decent hotel, not amazing but had everything you needed.

8/10 Good

F Yip, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel right opposite of the Emperor park
Subway only couple minutes away, 4 stop to Kyoto station, 24 hours little supermarket and local restaurant are close by, staff are helpful with good English

8/10 Good

Mike, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet neighborhood, close to lovely palace grounds
Very good food in dining room and outside seating for an afternoon beverage.

6/10 Okay

Luis, Mexico City

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Nice for a one night stay, bus and subway stations

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hotel is a little older, but the location (right across from the palace, only a 3 stops on the subway from Kyoto Station) is great.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location
This was a very western style hotel, even the bed style. It was very reasonable, and while there wasn't much in the way of shopping nearby, by subway it's only one or two stops to downtown. The best thing, it's DIRECTLY opposite the inperial palace. And waking up early to walk around the gardens was great. The staff were helpful and had good English too~

8/10 Good

Lyndal, Nelson, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Location Near Imperial Palace & Park
Excellent location, adequate, clean & comfortable rooms - very helpful staff. And very reasonable priced. Third stay here, will return.

10/10 Excellent

Richard, Yateley, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome Hotel
By far the best hotel I stayed in on my trip, the staff are super friendly and helpful. Restaurant downstairs with delicious food western and Japanese options. Room cleaned daily to very high standard, New towels and toothbrush supplied daily. You can rent a bicycle from the hotel for 500 yen for 6 hours which I highly recommend it's a great way to see Kyoto. Room prices are extremely reasonable, I actually extended my stay by 6 nights because I knew I wouldn't get anywhere near the high standards for the same price. On site Thai massage was amazing completely rejuvenated me. Can't say enough good things about the hotel I'll be back in Kyoto in April and won't settle for staying anywhere else.

10/10 Excellent

torrey, stockton, california

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
kyoto energy matsuri
Visited my. Kurama, power spot, and place where Reiki healing was discovered. Nice yaki tori shop 2 blocks east on right.tell them Yaki Torrey San sent you.

6/10 Okay

yeung

8/10 Good

Chester

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Andrew, NYC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Small room but great deal
With their central location, the Palace Side has fine accommodations for a single traveler. Some American travelers may be put off by the small rooms, but I live in NYC and am used to small spaces. Besides, who hangs out in their room all day anyway? I had a Western style room with a stand-up shower (having spent most of trip at more traditional ryokan, I was happy to have this). The room had a fridge so I could eat in my room for breakfast before exploring Kyoto. There's also a kitchen on the second floor if you need to cook something. The room was very clean and they have wifi in each room (not always the case in other hotels in Japan). It's near the subway and right off the park, so this place is perfect if you like to go running in the morning. They also have bikes for rent. Great way to see Kyoto!

8/10 Good

Carolyn, Atlanta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Place in Kyoto
This was a great hotel for my trip to Kyoto. Its a little smaller but its ina perfect location that is a little out of way of the city center but in prime location to walk to the Imperial Palace (its right across the street) and other temples and shrine. The metro is also a block away so its easy to travel into the city if you want.

8/10 Good

Pamela, Singapore

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
A Bit Dated, But Clean & Comfortable
We booked 2N at this hotel. The hotel is not swanky sleek but it is very clean and comfortable enough. The free WiFi connection is fast. There are even 2 computer stations at the lobby which is a plus if anyone needs to do some work. During the few days of our stay, it was raining and we we able to borrow umbrellas from the hotel. The front desk staff are able to speak passable English so our check-in and check-out processes were seamlessly smooth.

8/10 Good

Lin

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
A nice hotel in Kyoto close to the subway station
Its about five minutes from the nearest subway station. I wouldn't really recommend the restaurant in the hotel which is pricey and the food is on the small portion side

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Student stays one night
The location is great, it's across the street from the Imperial Palace. The room was a bit small, but I don't know what I would have actually needed more space for. The shower was hot and had good pressure, the bed was a Full size, and the room had its own Wi-Fi router. The staff was very courteous and spoke very good English, which you'll find is a rarity in Japan. The breakfast buffet was about 10 dollars but it was absolutely worth it. The food was delicious, and it was the perfect way to start my 5 month stay in Japan.

8/10 Good

Rachel, london

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good compromise on price - a very pleasant stay
There are more expensive hotels in Kyoto and there are more high end. We were looking to budget (a little) and having been drawn to this hotel by price we were persuaded by both the location next to the imperial palace and the good reviews. I'm glad we stayed here. As with all Japanese hotels the staff were very friendly and helpful - and spoke enough English to get by. The room was really big - we were pleasantly surprised - with a large bed and loads of floor space. Very clean. We had asked for a 5th floor room with hope for quiet - and it was very quiet, aided by it facing the back of the hotel. An uneventful but not unpleasant view. Location exactly what we hoped for - 2 min walk from subway station hence no more than an easy 10 mins from the proper centre, and on a road busy enough to have lots of cabs passing. Does not feel like it's in the city centre at all, so if you want bustling and metropolitan stay elsewhere, but it's perfect for seeing all of the city. We'd recommend for couples looking for a quiet hotel with decent amenities at a reasonable price.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Kyoto conference hotel
A bit dodgy - with a hole in the wall covered partially with paper. The breakfast is NOT worth the price, though I suppose convenient. There are very few business nearby ( like cafe, etc.,) I have been informed that the front desk treats people who appear non-Japanese, whether they have addresses in Japan diff from those who seem Japanese, even when only non-Japanese address is provided. Not good practice. On the good side, it was surprisingly quiet with no sound coming from adjacent rooms.

8/10 Good

David, Cambridge, Ma.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great base of operations for exploring Kyoto
With a nice, inexpensive Japanese buffet breakfast to start your day, central location, and a convenient subway stop just down the block, this is an excellent place from which to explore Kyoto. Just across the street from a park created from the former imperial palace environs, a ten minute walk from the Teramachi shipping district, with easy connections to Nara, Mt. Hiei, and other sites. Single rooms are small, but inexpensive, the staff are helpful, there's a guest lounge, and guest washing machines. This will be my hotel of choice in all future trips to Kyoto.

10/10 Excellent

REBECCA, California

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent service
Excellent service, perfect location

8/10 Good

David, Montague, MA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Palace Side Hotel
The room was a bit dated, but was roomier than others we staid in in Japan. It was nice and quiet and the staff was friendly and helpful.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Close to the Palace and 2 minutes from the subway
Very helpful English speaking staff. Coin operated Laundry available. Good value for money

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great value for money in Kyoto
Wonderful stay at this hotel, in fact I cancelled a future booking in order to stay on an extra three nights here. Great value for money and a short ten minute walk to the nearest station. Across the road from the palace and lots of space for my daughter to play. Fabulous staff, very helpful when my daughter was ill. I would definitely stay here again.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Kitchen !!!!
After a week in Japan I just missed home cooking. The hotel has a small kitchen that allowed me to cook a simple dinner...wonderful !