Our stay at Genji was seriously the highlight of our Japan trip. We've travelled a lot, and this hotel is one of the best we've ever stayed at. Everything was fantastic and at such a great level. The service with a personal touch, the unique and sophisticated interior design, delicious food and drinks (local sparkling wine is superb!!!), the rooftop bar, the location. I can keep counting and still it won't give justice to what we feel :). I would like to highlight again the personal touch in communication with the whole Team working at the hotel, because this is what me and my husband value the most. We were in touch with the staff all the time (thanks to typhoon our stay was delayed and postponed time and again), communication level is superb! Despite us finally arriving really, really late (midnight it was) we received such a warm welcome with amazing drinks at a cozy bar counter. Kyoka-san and Shin-san were so kind to stay late and wait for us, then showing us around and having a friendly chit-chat too, Then there were Mao-san and Ryoko-san who were so helpful, kind, cheerful, supporting and just great! We even met the Owners and the Architect/Designer of the hotel who also were so hospitable, easy going and welcoming. The hotel is a walking distance from Gion and Nishiki Market. It's situated in a quite street on the river bank, and the morning view from the rooftop bar is just superb. Side note: you can see the DAI kanji from the rooftop bar, if you happen to comy by Gozan no Okuribi! The rooms are spacious and designed in a very unique and elegant way. It's a mixture of traditional Japanese and Western materials and design elements, with some small, special touches visible if you look a bit more attentively. It's a very beautiful, tasteful living space. Lastly the Japanese breakfast was fantastic! And having it with a view is another pleasure. We really felt at home at Genji.

Everything! We went as a special occasion for my wife’s birthday and it was an absolutely perfect experience! The staff were all bilingual, friendly and anticipated our needs. They made us an amazing cake for her birthday and were gracious, even when we ordered room service out of the normal hours. The bartender was super cool and all the food unique and delicious. The chef even came out to attend to our needs. The lobby with Japanese garden was beautiful and had sophisticated design details that allowed you to feel connected to nature. At the same time, it was comfortable to relax in and just spend some time at the bar. The hanging globes of bonsai lamps were eye-opening! We stayed in a river room with a balcony, which was obviously designed to accentuate the stunning views of the river and the mountains. The attention to detail at every level was amazing! The beds were perfect with all controls at your fingertips, there was a beautifully designed desk, a sleek table for dining, and amazing chairs that made sitting on tatami a surprisingly comfortable experience. There were even 2 exquisite small rock gardens in the room and bathroom to bring in light and allow for a deep sense of connectivity to nature - even in your room! The hotel's architect told me that they used techniques like this specifically to achieve a true Japanese experience , since such gardens have over a 1200 year history in Japan and serve to increase the connectivity between interior and exterior. This, I feel was one of the main reasons the hotel feels so Japanese- they really got this one right! They even were able to pull this off in the hallways, which are usually the most boring experience - not here! The ultimate experience was the roof garden, where we enjoyed our birthday celebration and even had a sunrise breakfast! And the burgers we had there was phenomenal. Later I found out they make their buns there fresh!!!

It would have been better if we had more days to enjoy our stay!

Everything! What I mean by calling this the Geisha of hotels is that it's limited in availability, a rare find and in a somewhat elusive location secluded from the busy Kyoto areas. Being located in what used to be the old red light district. The personal touch of the hotel however is what makes it so enchanting; rich in history, culture and most of all hospitality. It is a lifetime experienceQ I would go as far as to say that by not visiting this hotel you're missing out on a great little gem in Kyoto that very well might be the highlight during your stay in Kyoto and that is saying a lot for a city that has so much to offer. I'm no stranger to visiting some higher end hotels such as the likes of Park/Grand Hyatt, W Hotel etc so I'm quite used to great hospitality, well designed rooms, luxury comforts benefits etc. And while I generally enjoy those hotels I wouldn't necessarily recommend those to just anyone because I know only select few people care about such luxury. I will however recommend this hotel to anyone, if you can even find a tiny spot in your budget to come here I'm confident it will be well worth the money. What this hotel provides however was on a whole different level. One of the great things is that the hotel only offers a select number of rooms which gives a very cozy atmosphere. When entering the hotel there was always someone to greet you and ask about your day, give suggestions or just have a short chat. To me this what truly made the hotel stand out so much. The staff wasn't just there to help you out they sometimes felt more like a fellow companion during your travels. They also did a great job letting me know more about the neighbourhood I was staying in than I could ever hope to find out by myself. I personally recommend the Japanese Whiskey, Matcha making and neighbourhood tour. The personal introduction will ensure they are lasting experiences.

Nothing. I already had high expectations on the hotel but even still there wasn't anything that disappointed. Finding the hotel and reaching it can be a little tricky (even the taxi struggled a bit) as Kyoto's streets can get small and windy but to me that's actually part of the experience and enjoyment of visiting such a unique city and added to it's charm.

Genji Kyoto is a wonderful hotel. It’s in a charming, quiet neighborhood right on the Kamo River. The Zen garden and overall design is inspired by the Tales of Genji. Our room was spacious and full of light, with a balcony and a beautiful soaking tub. The rooftop garden is spectacular- we watched fish, turtles and wading birds in the river’s clear waters while we sipped cocktails. The staff were incredibly welcoming, kind and helpful. They went out of their way to help with travel plans and to make recommendations for our stay in Kyoto. I wish we could have stayed longer!

Great location on the river, lovely roof terrace, good and contemporary design, staff excellent and helpful with recommendations for restaurants etc.

Difficult to find and inaccessible to taxis and not very close to metro stations. Despite having a superior room with balcony the bed was rammed against the wall on one side and was not accessible especially at night. Gaps in the blinds - no black out for sleeping. We had to ask for a bedside reading light. Very awkward having a basin and minimal toiletry area in the bed room not the bathroom! Expensive for what it was .

Seldom have I found the perfect hotel that combines excellence in service with stunning detail and comfort. The Genji Kyoto is that hotel for me and my husband. The architecture is thoughtful and elegant and is paired with equally beautiful landscape design. We appreciated the design details of both the interior and exterior. From the beautiful furniture to the gardens and roof deck and from the kindness of the staff and delicious food, the hotel contributed just as much toward our exceptional travel experience to Japan as the landscapes, history and people of the country itself. We feel grateful to have found the Genji Hotel and to have had such experience.

It was a perfect experience.

Our stay at Genji Kyoto from June 27th to 30th was unequivocally exceptional. Situated in the city’s pulsating heart, the hotel provided the perfect launching point for our explorations and offered us an authentic taste of Kyoto's vibrant culture. The hotel's sterling cleanliness and fresh, contemporary design impressed us. It masterfully blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts, creating a harmonious ambiance that enhances the overall experience. The hospitality extended by the hotel staff was second to none. Every team member was genuinely kind, supportive, and always ready to assist, making our stay feel more like a home away from home. Special recognition goes to Yuuka and all the other employees for their exceptional service and consistently pleasant interactions. The gastronomic offerings at the hotel merit separate praise. The menu is a well-curated blend of local Japanese flavors and international dishes, catering to various palates. The meticulous preparation of each meal, whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, was evident in its quality and presentation. The extensive beverage menu was also much appreciated. Our compliments go to Executive Chef Mr. Murat Celik and his talented team for their culinary prowess and delightful creations. A special acknowledgment is also due to Chef Mr. Halit for his exceptional contributions. In conclusion, our stay at Genji Kyoto was a memorable chapter of our Kyoto experience. The hotel is highly recommended for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in local culture while enjoying top-tier service. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Genji Kyoto for making our stay so enchanting.

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The hotel is beautiful, our room is comfortable and we love the gardens. We had one Western and one Japanese set for breakfast and they were both delicious. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. They gave us neighborhood maps and excellent suggestions for where to go. We totally enjoyed our stay. This hotel is great value for money. Will definitely come back.

It was so relaxing in the hotel that we almost didn't want to go out, so a longer stay would have been better. We need more time to go sightseeing AND enjoy some serenity on the amazing roof garden.

Amazing staff from GM, front desk, bellmen, housekeeping and chef! Spoke wonderful English and extremely helpful with directions, recommendations, travel etc. Before AND during our trip. Very flexible, offered opportunity to rent daily pocket WIFI from hotel which made it seamless. Location perfect, quiet and beautiful in more residential area yet easy walking distance to restaurants, activities, Nishiki Market, temples, trains, bus etc. Property was IMMACULATE, it was charming and so well worth our 6 days in Kyoto. I am a meeting planner and will be recommending this property for anyone heading to Kyoto. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this hotel. The architecture inside the rooms and in the hotel was also so unique and special. Domo arigato...

Not one thing except we had to leave!

The food, service, location were great. The room was amazing. Loved the heated bathroom floors. Gorgeous view of the river. The staff spoke English, so if you don't know Japanese it's still easy to communicate when you need something. We asked for food recommendations and they helped up book a very intimate local restaurant that was amazing. It was a short 10 min walk away. We were happy overall. Would book again.

Idk if it was the owner. But there was a man who was being terrible to the workers in the lobby. It was a bit upsetting to watch the nice staff being talk to like that. There is no good space to take shoes off and put on at door.