"In a city as hallowed with history as Kyoto, refurbishing is an art unto itself. Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu wears its provenance proudly, retaining the 1930s brick-and-arch facade of its former life as an elementary school. Clean minimalism and rich tradition blend well in its public spaces, natural complements for contemplative tours of the shrines, pagodas, and temples within walking distance. Upstairs, guestrooms unleash a bit more luxury — spacious, gently curvilinear, in eggshell and cream tones, and of course fully equipped with knockout city vistas. Even farther up, the rooftop bar is an object lesson in decompression when the sun gets low and the lanterns start to glow." - Tablet Hotels