Introduction to Hiyori Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Hiyori Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, which opened in June 2021, is one of the newest hotels in Kyoto. Located in the Nakagyo Ward, it is easily accessible from Kyoto Station by taking the Karasuma Line to Karasuma Oike Station, and then transferring to the Tozai Line to Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station. From there, it is only a 5-minute walk to the hotel.

The Hiyori Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a fairly new hotel in Kyoto, having opened in June 2021. It is located in Nakagyo Ward, and can be reached by taking the Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station, then transferring to the Tozai Line and getting off at Kyoto City Hall Station. From there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the hotel. While it’s only a 5-minute walk to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, it’s worth noting that the palace is incredibly large, and it’s a 2-kilometer walk just to get to the Seisho-mon gate. If you’re not a fan of walking, it’s important to take note and not assume it’s a short distance. However, there are many advantages to staying here. You don’t have to worry about finding food at night, as it’s less than a 10-minute walk to Teramachi-dori and Nishiki Market, which is very convenient.

The hotel is also conveniently located near the Kamogawa River, just a short walk away. Turning right out of the hotel and walking to the end of the first lane will bring you to Nijo Tachibana, a great spot for taking photos during the day. The nearest subway station is Kyoto Shiyakushomae Station, where you can also find food options in the underground shopping area. If you want to visit Yasaka Shrine, you can take a bus or walk to Sanjo Station and take the train to Gion-Shijo Station.

Review of Hiyori Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Originally, I booked a standard queen bed room, but due to my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status, I was upgraded to a deluxe twin bed room. Even though there were two extra beds, I was still traveling alone. However, the room was said to be larger than the standard room.

The bathroom and toilet in the room are separate, which is considered a standard for hotels. In Tokyo’s business hotels and Kyoto’s Moxy, the shower and toilet are in the same space. However, according to Japanese friends, they prefer to have them in separate spaces. If the shower and toilet are combined, it means that the room has limited space, and the hotel has no choice but to integrate them.

The room design features a strong Japanese style, with Japanese sliding windows installed within the glass and a tatami-style floor. The tatami floor is more comfortable to walk on compared to a regular floor, though personally, I prefer having more carpets, which is just a matter of personal preference and doesn’t affect the overall experience. The Japanese sliding windows are useful for blocking out light at night, but if one forgets to close the curtains before sleeping, the next morning they will be awakened by the glaring light. Therefore, it is important to remember to close the curtains before sleeping.

Although the shower and toilet are separate, there is no bathtub in the room, which may disappoint those who want to take a bath. As a Marriott Platinum member, some complimentary items were provided, such as small snacks and drinks at the restaurant at 6pm, giving it a feel similar to an executive lounge. However, since I do not drink alcohol, I could only enjoy some small snacks and drink some non-alcoholic beverages, feeling a bit shortchanged. 😆

Here are some of my impressions from staying at this hotel. The rest you can see in the photos! Just a reminder that currently, entry to Japan requires applying for “Visit Japan Web” in advance, which allows for smooth passage through customs and border control. You can enter the hotel’s address as your place of stay when filling out the VJW form.