The staff is amazing and the location is very convenient. The location is walking distance to Nishiki market, Gion, subway station, river, restaurants and shopping. We loved this Japanese onsen hotel, but please note if you're going to stay here that it will require an openness to the Japanese culture. The rooms are small compared to ones in the US but very well designed (luggage is stored under the bed, so big luggage may not fit). Only two people will fit per room and rooms are not big enough for people traveling with kids. You need to take off your shoes before entering your room (there is an area to leave your shoes and change to slippers). The hotel provides yukatas (robes) to wear in the property and everyone wears them. The onsen is used completely undressed and there is a shower area where you wash off first. There are two onsens (male and female switch from one day to the next) and one has an incredible views of Gion and the river. The rooftop deck with a foot bath also has amazing views. The lobby has hot drinks and also fruit popsicles that were a refreshing treat after the onsen. The hotel was new and it was incredibly clean. The breakfast is beautifully presented in boxes, but it is all Japanese cuisine (our boxes contained fish, rice, sea snail, root vegetables, etc.). There were laundry facilities in the basement (which we used). We loved our stay and my adult daughters said staying at this hotel was one of their favorite memories of Japan.

We loved it, but please read my comments to make sure this is the hotel for you.

Beautiful hotel with Japanese style / designed rooms. Very efficient and comfortable. Wonderful rooftop view and foot spa to boot. Heavenly. Excellent location!!!

We were spoiled at a previous hotel, where the spa remained open most of the night, so for those jet-lagged, it was a tonic. Longer spa hours would have been great. Not much English spoken throughout the country, so be prepared for that and no room service, not much in terms of food on property but plenty of other options nearby.

Perfectly placed within a few minutes walking distance to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, making it an easy commute from Osaka ! Every interaction with the hotel staff and facilities were seamless (the free coffee/matcha latte/soda/ice-cream was a very, very welcome surprise, especially after a long day exploring Kyoto!) The public baths were fantastic, clean and hygienic - the views/setting changes between the men and women everyday so that both baths can be experienced. They even helped us with our luggage and sending it across to Tokyo with minimum fuss, at our convenience. Would definitely stay here again on my next visit!

Nothing, great stay.

Probably the best hotel we’ve ever stayed at! Rooms were beautiful and spotless. The bed was the most comfortable of the whole trip (comfortable for Japan standards). Room was typical (small) size but was enough room for 4 nights. Loved all the extras: the traditional robes and shoes, the roof top bar was so nice to soak our feet in, the onsen was incredible as well and had great views. We used them every day. Loved the free popsicles and fountain drinks/coffee in the lobby (they even had Fanta melon soda)! 10/10 recommend. They stored our luggage for us at checkout and also had umbrellas to use when it rained. Close to some great restaurants and shopping, and close enough to all the main Kyoto temples to walk. Subway to get to the bamboo forest/nara was extremely close! Taxi from the main train station (bullet trains).

We loved… - the two rooftop onsens with a view that alternate for men and women each day - the rooftop terrace with one free drink per day and a foot bath - the bento breakfast (had to reserve 3 days in advance) - the coffee machine and ice lollies/ice cream puffs in the reception - must try the Sora Niwa blend coffee and Matcha Latte! - the very comfy bed - very central location in Shijo and close to Gion, lots of good food options nearby

Booking.com is making me write 2-3 sentences for this section but honestly nothing I disliked, I’m so glad we chose this hotel and would love to return again

There are 2 outdoor Onsen with nice city view. But one of the onsen is very close to the next building, where there might be breach of privacy (occasionally seeing someone peeping through their windows). Foot onsen at the rooftop bar is very enjoyable and nice view too. Get to have 1 free drink everyday from the rooftop bar. There are lounge seats at the lobby / reception area where you can get free drinks (cold / hot), coffee machines, and ice creams.

Rooms are quite small. Only enough space for 1 large luggage. There's are NO restaurant for breakfast. Only offered Bento set and no place to eat them. Have to go back to the room or seat at the reception area with limited seats. Same breakfast everyday. Not worth opting for the breakfast.

Excellent terrace at the roof top, great place to rest after walking whole day, nice view over the city. The location was great, walking distance to many places but also close to busses and local train. Room was small, but nicely decorated. Laundry machines downstairs, which was great.

We arrived to the hotel at 13.45 in the afternoon and check-in was at 15. Even if our room was ready and they bought our luggage there, we couldn’t get it unless paying extra. This was ridiculous and very disappointing for such a quality hotel. The places where you could eat your breakfast box were limited to 5 places. At least our room was so small that it was not convenient to eat in the room.

The hotel is a highlight of our trip to Japan so far. Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. I would 100% recommend this hotel just for onsen - most times it was practically empty and it’s overlooking a fantastic panoramic view of Kyoto. The hospitality and attention to detail are unmatched. The room was equipped with literally everything you might need on a trip. The rooftop and free drinks were fantastic - you can enjoy a mega relaxing foot onsen. Indeed the room size is small but it is the case for every hotel in this price range in Japan so can’t complain about it. Loved it and would definitely be back!

Absolutely nothing

Everything here was beyond our expectation! Firstly, the location was so good; when we exhausted from walking around Teramachi/ Kawaramachi area, we just walked back to have some rest at the hotel before the 2nd or 3rd round each day. Secondly, the staff; I mean every staff, was very professional, helpful, and genuinely friendly. Thirdly, the facilities, especially the public baths (Niwa no Yu & Shijo Kawaramachi no Yu) were truely heaven like what they claimed for, also, their rooftop was perfect for both having breakfast or chill out with drinks. Fourth, F&B, their breakfast bento was nice and plenty of welcome drink (depends on number of your stays) We're looking forward for our next year trip in which if we come to Kyoto again, defenitely gonna stay here :)

Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto is one hotel you HAVE to choose for your next trip to Japan. The staff is simply amazing you can leave your luggage on arrival at the entrance on the ground floor and everything else will be organized by the amazing staff. At check in the luggage will be already in your room and they even provide two Yukatas for you. Both onsens are beautiful and relaxing and they change everyday so that women and men can appreciate both types. After the hot both enjoy free drinks or icecream in the Lobby area. The rooftop/bar itself is reason enough to book a room, the view is amazing and they even have a footbath underneath. Great little details and a beautiful experience. We really enjoyed our stay and will come back for sure!

Nothing. This is one of these hotels you will never forget.