Ranzan Hotel

My wife and I booked this hotel outside Kyoto for its close situation to natural surroundings and the onsen. The hotel is indeed well situated. The room was very basic and poor, no coffee machine available. The reception was strictly japanese, basically giving the feeling that we as foreigners are invading this japanese hate, thus not welcome. We looked to a wall from our room, internet not stable. Breakfast which you have to book is strictly japanese, coffee or juice is not served.

I wanted a couple of days away from the big city hustle and bustle, and this hotel provided a very tranquil "ryokan style" retreat, but very close to Arashiyama's scenic spots. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I've previously stated near Kyoto Station on recent visits to Kyoto but always liked the area around Arashiyama so I decided to stay there this time. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the hotel as some of the other reviews weren't too good. It's not the most convenient location to either rail stations but if you like strolling through the bamboo forest, along the river or on the temple grounds it can't be beat, especially at the price. Staff was helpful getting me a taxi on a rainy day and spoke enough English for my needs. The room was large by Japan standards, more like a western style motel. I would definitely return.

The hotel is situated in a very quiet side street away from the Arashiyama crowd. It's right next to Hogonin which is a must see in goyo season. The hotel is quite dated as expected when I made the reservation seeing the pictures, so it's not a surprise. I just wish they could retire those dated bed cover because they look really ugly. I like the location because of the easy access to the hiking trail. The hotel also have a big public bath with good amenities. The staff is very friendly especially a mid-age lady at the front desk. She even offered us a child size yukate which is quite cute for my 2 year old boy. The hotel is relatively inexpensive compare to others offering breakfast and dinner. I think it's a good choice for budget traveller who want to spend a night in Arashiyama.

Unlike the classification on the Hotels.com website, the Razan is NOT a ryokan, which was the sole reason for booking. It is a regular, albeit Japanese, version of a standard motel/hotel. It is clean and has a standard, but not exceptional bath house. I appeared to be the only non-Japanese guest in the hotel during my two days there. There was much, good natured, amusement from the waitresses in the dining room for breakfast at my ignorance of the foods available, also some well-meaning, but incomprehensible instructions/offers of help. Contrary to the claim on the website, wifi is not available in the room and only within a 5 metre radius of the centre of the lobby.