SOWAKA
4.7
Outstanding(80 Reviews)Hotel in Kyoto
4-Star Hotel
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this hotel
Luxury Kyoto hotel in Gion with spa services
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and spa services. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, concierge services, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities are onsite.
SOWAKA offers 23 accommodations with tablet computers and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. This Kyoto hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Refrigerators and minibars are provided. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers, and bidets. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and spa services. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, concierge services, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities are onsite.
SOWAKA offers 23 accommodations with tablet computers and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature down comforters and premium bedding. This Kyoto hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Refrigerators and minibars are provided. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms are also outfitted with bathrobes, slippers, and bidets. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Hot tub or spa
Garden
Map of Kyoto
Available Rooms
101:Deluxe Room with Private Garden, 1 Queen Bed(Main)
1 Queen • 538 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
102:Deluxe Room with Private Garden, Hollywood Twin(Main)
2 Single • 549 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
103:Deluxe Room with Garden View, Hollywood Twin(Main)
2 Single • 581 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
104:Deluxe Maisonette with Tea Ceremony Room, Hollywood Twin(Main)
2 Single • 646 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
105:Superior Room with Garden View, Skip Floor, Queen Bed(Main)
1 Queen • 420 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Expedia.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Reviews
4.7
Outstanding(80 Reviews)2.5
It was a truly wonderful stay with a very welcoming and warm team.
My room was a real delight, and the kaiseki dinner was simply exquisite.
I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights at Sowaka and only wished I could have extended my stay.
5.0
This stay is so much more than I expected. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Hotel itself is quiet, zen and beautiful. Room is extremely clean and full of small surprises. I can’t recommend this hotel enough! Will definitely come back if I have the chance!
5.0
Best staff and service Food was wonderful
Anything I needed, they did and were so happy to please
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a smaller inn right in the heart of Gion
My room was spacious and had a beautiful garden Big yes on Sowaza!!!
5.0
The staff and management did everything to make my stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable!
I have been to many hotels in kyoto. This one definitely stands out.
5.0
A unique, tranquil small hotel, that offers total commitment to anyone staying here. Food is exceptional and lots of it. Set within walking distance of several major temples and sites, and easy walking distance to several popular shopping areas, It is even very easy to visit the popular Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) no 12 bus takes you directly there.Not the cheapest, but in my opinion worth every penny. I for one have never been looked after so well and quite emotional about leaving such a friendly enviroment.I would happily recommend Luxury hotel SOWAKA to anyone. All I can say is thankyou to all at Luxury hotel SOWAKA for such a wonderful stay while in Japan.
5.0
We stayed in a beautiful suite in the old part of this lovely hotel, which was a restaurant long ago. Our rooms looked out on an internal garden. We enjoyed two breakfasts and a wonderful dinner in the restaurant. One highlight was the traditional Japanese wooden tub in the bath--and of course, a lovely Toto toilet with heated seat, as are present throughout Japan.
2.5
One of the most magical experiences of all our trips we've ever taken! A gem of a hotel. One of a kind experience. And incredibly helpful staff.
4.0
Unique property with excellent staff.
2.5
Wonderful traditional hotel with excellent service. Rooms are large and comfortable.
5.0
This hotel was just amazing. The location, design, uniqueness, rooms and especially the staff were top notch. We couldn’t recommend it enough. They went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. We can’t recommend this hotel enough.
2.5
My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon and it was amazing! The hospitality and attention to detail in service will not be beat. And the hotel grounds itself are beautifully traditional. If we return to Kyoto, we will absolutely stay here again
3.0
Pros:
Beautiful hotel and room in an amazing neighborhood in Kyoto. Close to great restaurants, shopping and activities.
Cons:
Bed was extremely uncomfortable and hard. Hotel has no food except the michelin star restaurant below, so no other dining options if you want to stay and enjoy your room.
Bar and common areas have no ambience. The rooftop that is promoted on their website is not as advertised.
Overall, the hotel is not worth the price. Communication is impossible as they do not answer emails- I have been requesting an invoice for weeks now and have had no response from them.
5.0
I love everything about this place - I hope to come again with my parents. The amenities were great and the dinning experience was beautiful. I really enjoyed my stay here from the moment we entered the door.
5.0
Five Stars
5.0
The Sowaka team and their hospitality was the best we experienced in our two week, four city, trip to Japan. Everyone was extremely nice, accommodating and helpful. The hotel was very clean and the rooms were unique and comfortable. The location is perfect and the front desk is very helpful in calling taxis if you need them. Breakfast is served at the restaurant and a great way to start the day. Would absolutely recommend staying here.
2.5
Staff was amazing. One of the best places to stay if you want to witness the heart of Gion. Close to everything while being in a quiet and beautiful location.
5.0
This was the 3rd time I stayed at Sowaka. Very convenient location and a beautiful old town part of Kyoto. Yet, you can walk to major shopping areas in a few minutes. All the rooms are different and unique.
5.0
Excellent location…great service
2.5
Very enjoyable stay. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. Lovely room and great food. Good area to walk around, visit the temples and shrines, and get a real sense of old Japan.
5.0
The staff was incredible. The service was amazing, the property was beautiful and serene, and the location was great.
1.0
The property itself is no doubt beautiful, but that is all i can say. The check in experience was not pleasant. We were informed during check in that they cannot serve us the Japanese style breakfast because they didnt prepare enough orders, and can only serve us the Western style breakfast without prior notice. After we explained to them that we came all the way here to enjoy Japanese instead of western cuisine, they spoke to the manager and changed their mind and gave us the Japanese breakfast. Its a small detail but it impacts the seemlessness of a hotel the price themselves so high. In the end, the breakfast was not even good, easily the worst meal we had during the entire trip.
2.0
The property itself is no doubt beautiful, but that is all i can say. The check in experience was not pleasant. We were informed during check in that they cannot serve us the Japanese style breakfast because they didnt prepare enough orders, and can only serve us the Western style breakfast without prior notice. After we explained to them that we came all the way here to enjoy Japanese instead of western cuisine, they spoke to the manager and changed their mind and gave us the Japanese breakfast. Its a small detail but it impacts the seemlessness of a hotel the price themselves so high. In the end, the breakfast was not even good, easily the worst meal we had during the entire trip.
2.5
Stayed here to enhance our cultural experience and it did not disappoint. The property is immaculate and the staff is fantastic. Love the room setup and peaceful stay. Great location within walking distance of many good sites. Thank you!
2.5
Honestly staying here has been the highlight of our trip to Japan. This hotel is amazing and the staff are wonderful. The proximity to Gion and temples is amazing. Love love love this hotel.
2.5
That was such an enjoyable stay at Sowaka. The only thing needs to be improved is the food. I started my breakfast with a cup of instant coffee. It’s a little below the standard of luxury.
2.5
The property is beautiful and well maintained. We felt at peace the moment we arrived. The staff are very helpful and accommodating.
2.5
Easily the best hotel we have ever stayed. Authentic Japanese in a great location and amazing food
2.5
The whole property is stunning in every detail. Theyve thoight of everything right down to the dyson hairdryer! The location is perfect in a lovely quiet road in Gion, walking distance to the sights and close to the geisha area
2.5
We are a couple traveling to Kyoto for a weekend, and we were very much impressed by the hotel. It is like a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn, with wooden and sliding "paper" walls), but more luxurious. They offer Japanese breakfast, if you are so inclined. The hotel is very ideally located (very close to the Yasaka shrine, in between the east and west parts of Gion), and the staff is very courteous and helpful. Highly recommended.
FAQs
How much does this hotel cost compared to others in Kyoto?
The average price for a rental in Kyoto is $95 per night. This rental is $766 above the average.
Is parking included with this hotel?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at SOWAKA. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hotel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hotel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is SOWAKA pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this hotel is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at SOWAKA?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, laundry, and balcony or patio.
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