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DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama Review: One of the Best Family Hotels in Kyoto
- 23 hours ago
- 9 min read
Finding a Kyoto hotel that works well for a family and is close to the main attractions can feel overwhelming. Kyoto has hundreds of accommodation options across all budgets spread throughout the city, and unlike many destinations, the main sights aren’t clustered in one central area. We think this hotel strikes a great balance of both.
In this guide, we’re sharing our review from our stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama - from the room and on-site facilities to the overall location - so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your family’s Kyoto adventure.
This was the third hotel we stayed in during our 100‑day family sabbatical, and it turned out to be an ideal base for our time in Kyoto.
We loved our stay here and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto - it is one of the best family hotels in Kyoto.
The hotel’s location in the Higashiyama district made exploring Kyoto very convenient. We could easily walk to main attractions like Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka (the scenic traditional streets leading up to Kiyomizu‑dera), as well as nearby Shinkyōgoku Street and Nishiki Market.
For destinations a bit farther away, with Kiyomizu‑Gojo Station (Keihan Line) right on the corner by the hotel, we could easily reach temples, markets, and neighborhoods like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion, Kinkaku‑ji, and Arashiyama without any hassle.
If you’re already considering staying here, you can check availability and prices on Expedia and read guest reviews on TripAdvisor.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we genuinely love and use ourselves.
Getting There
Getting to the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama is straightforward, even if you’ve got limited experience in navigating Japan’s train system.
First, a quick note: Kyoto doesn’t have its own airport, so most visitors either fly into Kansai International Airport near Osaka or arrive by Shinkansen from Tokyo.
In both cases, you’ll be arriving at Kyoto Station.
From Kansai International Airport (KIX):
Take the JR Haruka Express to Kyoto Station (about 75 minutes). From there, you can either:
Take the Keihan Main Line to Kiyomizu‑Gojo Station (about 5–6 minutes). The hotel is right on the corner, just a short walk from the station.
Or hop in a taxi from Kyoto Station, which takes around 10 minutes.
From Tokyo:
Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (around 2 hours and 15 minutes). Then continue as above via Keihan Line or taxi.
If Kyoto is part of a longer trip and you’re also heading to Tokyo, you can check out our 5‑day Tokyo itinerary for ideas on planning your time there, as well as our review of our favourite Tokyo hotel.
There are four Hiltons in the city, so you need to tell the driver exactly which hotel you are staying at to avoid confusion!
How Much Does a Stay at the Hotel Cost?
The DoubleTree Kyoto Higashiyama is part of the Hilton family, and prices vary by season, local events, and overall demand.
Because Kyoto’s seasons strongly influence tourism, rates fluctuate significantly between shoulder periods and peak weeks, such as cherry blossom season.
That said, we think this hotel is exceptional value for money, given the quality of the hotel and its location.
During our stay at the beginning of October, cash rates were around ¥38,000 per night (approximately $330 CAD) for a Twin Premium room, and from some sample searches at other times, rates appear to generally fluctuate around that level.
As with most hotel bookings, the earlier you book, the better pricing you tend to get.
Using Hotel Points
As a Hilton property, you can redeem Hilton Honors points with dynamic pricing. If you’re booking five or more nights, remember the “5th Night Free” perk on standard room rewards if paying entirely with points.
It can meaningfully reduce the cost of a five‑night booking, although as we were booking a premium room, we weren't eligible for that perk.
In hindsight, we probably should have paid cash given how the reward rate compared with the room price.
Our three-night stay ended up costing a hefty 220,000 Hilton Honors points. That said, we had the points available and were trying to minimize our cash outlay during 100 days of travel.
Plus, the booking was for a room accommodating three adults, which meant we didn’t have to pay extra for a sofa bed.
Check‑In Experience
Check-in at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama was friendly, efficient, and very welcoming. The staff all spoke excellent English.
The girls especially liked the warm cookies on arrival, which is a signature Hilton across most of their properties.
It’s worth noting that the check-in desk is located on the basement floor, so you either need to walk down a short flight of stairs, or take the elevator to reach it.
Straight away upon entering the hotel, it’s clear that the interior incorporates many traditional Japanese design elements.
The lobby is modern and comfortable, and the staff were happy to let us relax in the lounge while our room was being prepared, as we had arrived a few hours before check-in.
Once the room was ready, our luggage was sent straight up, so everything was waiting for us when we arrived.
Because we were traveling with kids, we had reached out to the hotel months in advance to confirm that having both children in the room with us would be allowed.
The staff were incredibly helpful in clarifying what was and wasn’t permitted, and they even confirmed the bed sizes so we could decide whether the room would work for our family.
They also suggested the Premium Room, which included a sofa bed, and it ended up being a much better fit for us, albeit a little more expensive than the standard room.
It’s this kind of service that really stands out for us as a family, as you’d be surprised how many hotels don’t even respond to requests like this.
Overall, the check-in experience was excellent.
The Twin Premium Room
As mentioned above, one of the quirks of booking family rooms in Japan is occupancy limits. Most hotels list a maximum of two to three guests per room, and showing up with four people in your group can be frowned upon, or sometimes not allowed at all.
If you’re travelling as a family of four, even if your kids are toddlers or babies, it’s always worth confirming your room configuration directly with the property before you arrive.
The Twin Premium room was modern and functional without being overly flashy.
We especially liked the wooden designs on the walls and windows, which gave the room a distinctly Japanese feel.
The hotel also offers tatami-style rooms with lower beds, which we would have loved to try, but unfortunately those rooms don’t include sofa beds.
The beds were really comfortable and the pillows were amazing. The sofa bed was also a great size and surprisingly comfortable - we had the girls sleeping on it top to tail, but an adult could easily have slept there as well.
If you book the room for three adults, then the sofa bed is included within the price, otherwise it is charged at an additional 6,215 JPY per night (around $50 CAD).
There was a small desk next to the sofa where the Nespresso coffee machine was, along with some complimentary bottles of water. It was a nice touch, as this was one of the few hotels that we stayed at in Asia where the room included a Nespresso machine.
The bathroom was thoughtfully designed, continuing the same Japanese-inspired theme as the rest of the room. Everything was clean, modern, and well-maintained, and we loved having a proper bathtub for the kids. As with most Japanese hotel rooms, there was a separate (and fancy) toilet.
Buffet Breakfast
The breakfast buffet was a highlight for our stay, as it offered a great mix of Western and Japanese options each morning.
The spread typically included a classic Western “fry‑up” with eggs cooked to order, bacon, and sausages, alongside cold cuts, fresh fruit, and yoghurt, as well as a selection of breads and pastries.
On the Japanese side, there was congee (rice porridge), miso soup and grilled fish. The buffet even included dim sum and other Asian items, so it’s clearly designed with both local and international guests in mind.
The hotel also has a fantastic range of different types of Japanese tea, including Matcha.
As with all Hilton hotels, Gold members and higher receive free breakfast, plus one additional adult at no extra cost.
For children, breakfast was 1,900 JPY, which we thought was great value given the wide variety on offer - and it set us up nicely for the day. For non-Gold members, adult breakfast costs 3,600 JPY.
Other Amenities
The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center. While I didn’t personally use it, I did have a quick nosy around and it had everything you would expect in a hotel gym, including cardio machines, free weights, and strength-training equipment.
The hotel also has its own onsen, located on the ground floor, which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
It is a typical Japanese-style onsen, which means you bathe naked in a communal setting, separated by gender. It can take some getting used to, but it’s worth trying, as it’s such an integral part of Japanese culture.
There is no swimming pool though, which was really the only negative for us as a family.
Things to Do in the Area
As mentioned above, the hotel is located in a fantastic location, and being located right next to a train station means that the whole city really is at your fingertips. That said, there are plenty of attractions located within a 15–20 minute walk away which makes exploring on foot just as easy.
We combined many of these attractions into one day if you want to read more details and see how we structured the day.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most famous temples and is about a 15–20 minute walk from the hotel. The UNESCO-listed temple is known for its large wooden stage that extends out over the hillside, and has sweeping views across Kyoto.
It’s almost always busy, but it’s one of Kyoto’s must-see sights, so visiting early in the morning is the best way to experience it before the crowds build.
If you haven’t come across goshuin collecting yet (the beautiful hand‑stamped seals you can receive at temples) check out our ultimate guide here.
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Leading up toward Kiyomizu-dera, the historic streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are lined with traditional wooden buildings, small shops, and tea houses.
It’s another crowded spot, but it’s one of the most atmospheric areas in Kyoto and perfect for wandering, browsing local crafts, and stopping for matcha desserts or street snacks.
The Kamo River
The Kamo River runs through central Kyoto, and the hotel is located right by the main bridge that crosses it. The riverside paths are popular for walking, cycling, or simply relaxing by the water, especially in the evening.
Along the river, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés, and it's a great spot to enjoy a meal or a drink while taking in the views.
Gion District
Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district and is only around a 15–20 minutes on foot. The area is known for its preserved wooden machiya houses, traditional tea houses, and lantern-lit streets.
It also includes Maruyama Park and the iconic Yasaka Shrine, adding green space and cultural sights to explore while wandering the district.
Nishiki Market
Often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a lively covered food market, and is only around 20 minutes away. It's a perfect place for lunch if you are staying at the hotel.
The narrow street is packed with small vendors selling local street food, such as meats, fresh seafood, yakitori, and plenty of Japanese sweets. It’s a great place to sample Kyoto’s food culture and try a variety of small bites as you explore.
While you are there, be sure to stop at Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street, it's an old covered arcade so great for shopping away from the heat. We tried our first ever okonomiyaki at a restaurant called "zetto" that we highly recommend.
By the way, the places we talk about here also appear in our detailed 5‑day Kyoto itinerary if you want to see how they fit into a full trip.
Hilton DoubleTree Higashiyama Hotel Review in Kyoto Summary
To wrap up, we hope you enjoyed reading our review of the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama. The hotel impressed us with its friendly service, spacious and comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast, and a location that makes exploring Kyoto easy.
For families looking for a peaceful, convenient base in Kyoto, this hotel is a fantastic option that balances comfort and accessibility.
If you’re ready to book your stay, you can check availability and pricing here.
If you choose to book through our links, it helps support our site at no extra cost to you - thank you!
We’re a Calgary‑based family that travelled for 100 days, documenting each step so other families can get an honest, real‑life look at long‑term travel with kids.
You can browse the full 100‑day daily diary contents list here.
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