I visited Kyoto on a business trip and had breakfast at the buffet at Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion where I stayed. Last time I stayed, it was an order buffet, but this time it was a regular buffet. The food was really elegant and delicious, everything was wonderful. Although the tempura and tempura rice balls at Yasaka Pagoda are famous, I really liked the bamboo shoot stir-fry and tempura green tea soba.

This year's Golden Week, we stayed in Kyoto for 6 nights and 7 days using my husband's company benefits. We decided to stay at different hotels each night, as there were too many attractive options in Kyoto that we couldn't narrow down. The company benefits are in the form of points that can be used for transportation and accommodation expenses during travel. We first chose a hotel near Kennin-ji Temple, where we stayed in a standard twin room for 51,000 yen per night including breakfast. The hotel had a calm and elegant atmosphere, with a private shuttle bus from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit. We were upgraded to an Executive Twin room upon check-in, which was a pleasant surprise. The hotel had a lovely interior with cat figurines placed around, creating a soothing ambiance. The room was spacious with ample storage space and amenities like an iron. Guests could use the lounge for free from 1 pm to 6 pm, and there was also a large communal bath in the basement. The lounge turned into a bar in the evening, but it was a bit crowded, so we enjoyed the complimentary snacks in our room. The room also had complimentary mineral water, tea bags, and the hotel's original coffee. Overall, it was a relaxing stay, and we plan to opt for a room-only plan without breakfast for our next visit.

This is a hotel in the Mitsui group. It has been about 2 years since the former NTT facility was converted into this hotel. I stayed here twice in 2020 for hotel inspections. The good points are: 1. Quiet 2. Shuttle bus between Kyoto Station and the hotel 3. Large communal bath 4. Pajama rental available 5. Delicious breakfast 6. Located in front of Kennin-ji Temple, where you can enjoy the Kyoto atmosphere. The not-so-good points are: 1. The room is a bit inconvenient (especially the washroom area) 2. Far from the station and bus stop. The breakfast was a traditional Japanese set meal from Tempura Endo, which was of high quality and had a unique tempura restaurant touch.

I stayed at the newly opened Mitsui-owned Celestin Kyoto Gion in September 2017. The location is a bit quiet and secluded, about a 10-minute walk from Kiyomizu Gojo or Gion Shijo. The hotel offers free shuttle service from Kyoto Station. It is not located near bustling nightlife areas like Pontocho, so it may not be suitable for those looking for nightlife. The hotel has good security features and a guest lounge with drinks and books. The modern Japanese-style public bath is very comfortable. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with Nespresso machines. The lobby and overall atmosphere are excellent, with a strong sense of Japanese aesthetics. I stayed with a breakfast included plan, dining at the hotel's only restaurant, Hachikyoendo, a tea house in Gion known for its tempura. The breakfast buffet includes a variety of tempura dishes, including live-cooked items like shishito and corn tempura. There is also tempura tea made with shrimp tempura and a tempura burger made with Kyoto beef. The buffet also includes a selection of salads, Japanese side dishes, and Western dishes. The staff are very polite and provide excellent service, making it a great hotel for both Japanese and foreign guests.

✔️Access is excellent from Shijo, Gion, Kawaramachi, and Kennin-ji, and the hotel is stylish! The lobby, club lounge, and rooms are all picturesque, adding a touch of elegance to your Kyoto trip. The Junior Suite room is top-quality and chic, with a luxurious dressing room, two showers in the bathroom, and electric curtains for enjoying the night and morning views. The hotel you stay in can greatly change your travel experience! With excellent access, you can enjoy the evening illuminations of Gion and Kyoto's cityscape. The buffet-style breakfast focuses on "Kyoto mornings," featuring dishes like freshly fried tempura from the famous traditional restaurant Yasaka Endo. Indulge in local Kyoto delicacies like Kyoto vegetables, Kyoto beef, and seasonal fish from Lake Biwa at the buffet. The staff efficiently clears plates, allowing you to enjoy your meal comfortably. The tofu ankake is particularly delicious. Drinks are available for takeout, so you can enjoy a latte in your room after check-out. For a stay with great rooms and food, this hotel is a win-win!

◎Gion Hotel Breakfast in Kyoto◎ I visited "八坂圓堂 THE CELESTINE KYOTO GION" located at 572 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, in front of Kennin-ji Temple in Gion for breakfast. This hotel is part of the Mitsui Real Estate Group and offers a tranquil and quiet environment in the peaceful streets of Gion. The breakfast is served at the hotel's restaurant run by the traditional Japanese restaurant "八坂圓堂", where you can enjoy a Japanese breakfast buffet. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the buffet style was temporarily replaced by a system where you write down your desired dishes on a paper order form and they are brought to your table. The dishes were all carefully handmade and delicious, reflecting the expertise of the longstanding restaurant. The freshly fried tempura and tempura rice balls were particularly delightful, and being able to enjoy them unlimitedly for breakfast was a truly enjoyable and delicious experience. It was a place where you could start your day feeling happy and satisfied with a delicious breakfast.