Genji Kyoto 源氏京都

If we could give Genji Kyoto 6 stars, we would---it is outstanding! From the moment you make your reservation, the team reaches out and keeps the communication lines open for special requests, queries, etc. I have a feather allergy and require a feather-free room with hypoallergenic bedding; the hotel staff went out of their way to confirm this request and to assure me it would be taken care of, which they did. The place is a gem. You'll have to search for it, as it is located in a small, quiet street near the riverbank. Once you reach it, the entry walkway draws you in, and the staff are ready to open the door and welcome you inside. The staff is truly superb---efficient, welcoming, friendly and always ready to respond to questions and offer suggestions for dining, sightseeing and transport. It is a jewel box of a hotel, thoughtfully designed using the Tale of Genji as inspiration. Modernity and tradition meet in a harmonious blend in the unique rooms (ours had a view of the Kyoto Tower), and the rooftop garden is magical at night. The breakfast was really good; my husband loved his daily Japanese breakfast set. We also had a chance to sample the sake flight, and yuzu gin and tonic---delightful! Many of the Kyoto attractions were within walking distance, and taxis were easy to get with the help of the hotel staff . Altogether, this was an exceptional place to stay in Kyoto, and we definitely plan to return in the future.

My sister booked last minute to come along on our trip. But as she is unfamiliar with the city and arriving a day early, we got her a hotel along Kawaramachi street. So i thought long and hard whether to switch our hotel.|In the end, we decided to keep Genji Kyoto as we really feel at home here. Not our first stay.||We like the peacefulness of this area, the view of the river, the beds and especially the bathroom. |The one thing i love and always look forward to: the western breakfast. So delicious and filling. I like that a mini cream soup (pumpkin) is served to warm me up in the mornings. The bread is nice and warm and the comfort of dining in our own room.||Eri (i hope i got her name right) was EVERYWHERE. I even dreamt of her the 1st night we stayed 😂. She has been so helpful and accommodating. From assisting with self-service laundry (mine took 5 hours from wash to dry) so they cleared it and placed them in a basket when done, to popping out to see if we needed help when we were standing outside browsing their map. ||And all the team were so efficient in our requests for extra towels etc. It takes them less than 5 minutes for anything!||Hotel is just a quick taxi ride away from Kyoto main Station and also from Kawaramachi. ||I only wished their room service menu was more mainstream. The caesar salad didn't taste like what I'm used to and the burger was spicy so i ended up not being able to share it with my husband. The salad was good but just different. ||Otherwise, everything else was great!!

Genji Kyoto is my favorite hotel I’ve stayed at. The location is great. Central, but tucked away in a quiet area. The design of the building and rooms are first class, and with only 19 rooms it offers a very boutique experience. But above all, the staff are the best I have ever come across. From start to finish, Yuuka, Eri, Mao, and the entire Genji team made us feel extremely welcomed and helped tremendously to make our stay memorable. I couldn’t recommend Genji enough if you are looking for a special stay in Kyoto.

Love, love, love this place. We stayed for three nights, and everything was absolutely perfect. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel completely at home — everyone was incredibly friendly, attentive, and thoughtful. Two of the girls, in particular, went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. The rooms were beautifully designed with a serene aesthetic, the surroundings were stunning, and every meal we had was both delicious and artfully presented. Genji Kyoto truly captures the essence of Japanese hospitality and design. We’ll definitely be back! Joel~San

The only downside to Genji Kyoto is that we didn’t stay longer. The hotel’s design is spectacular, you notice new details every day. The architecture is beautifully executed, and the natural gardens in the lobby and rooms add a unique touch. The food is excellent too: simple, but full of flavor, with quality clearly prioritized. The staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive. We used the complimentary laundry service, and they insisted on handling everything for us, returning our clothes neatly prepared each morning. This level of hospitality was among the very best we experienced in Japan. Next time we’re back in Kyoto, we already know where we’ll stay.

The next time I visit Kyoto, this will be the first hotel I try to book. I feel like any description I try to write won't do the hotel justice, so here are some adjectives that come to mind: comfortable, cozy, quiet, warm, personal, lived-in unlike some 5 star hotels I've stayed at. Almost all the staff knew my name, and were exceptionally accommodating. It was an awesome place to sleep, with a comfy mattress and both soft and hard pillows. View of the sunrise over the river. Blackout shades. Quiet. Heated floors in the bathroom / shower. Good in-room tea from a local Kyoto tea shop. Bikes available. I would have been happy to stay another week.

Genji surpassed all our expectations. After staying at the palace in Tokyo, which was beautiful, we were prepared for a smaller experience. But in fact, we were wowed. The staff is exceptional and incredibly friendly and many are completely fluent in English although it is lovely to see a Japanese staff. The bar is intimate and fun and the breakfast extraordinary. Our room is out of a design magazine, and our view was amazing!

The room blends traditional Japanese elements with modern aesthetics, and many of the decorations are designer pieces—even the light switches. Each room also has its own theme paired with a unique artwork, making the space truly memorable. What stood out even more were the warm and thoughtful staff, who made the stay especially delightful. Highly recommend this hotel to experience their design details and kindness staff.