Leafy trees and bushes line the road leading up to Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto, a large, circular building wrapped in glass windows. The building surrounds a grassy courtyard with an iron pavilion fit for an outdoor wedding. Inside, the lobby feels a bit office-like, with green carpeting and beige chairs, while the hotel bar, Bar Ascot, has a '70s-basement vibe with wood-paneled walls and brown leather chairs. On the other hand, pretty views of the lush outdoors can be seen from several vantage points throughout the property, including the Pond Cafe, which has arched windows looking out on the hotel's large koi pond. There's also a traditional tea house on the property, surrounded by a tranquil Japanese garden. Guests here include couples and families, and many business travelers as well. 

Grand Prince Hotel is located next to Takaragaike Park and the Kyoto International Conference Center. While the quieter setting has its appeal, the hotel is a 20-minute drive to downtown Kyoto. Kokuai-kaikan station, where guests can take the Karasuma train line that runs north-south through the city, is within a seven-minute walk of the hotel. The trip to Kyoto station takes about 40 minutes. Ninna-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Kinkaku-ji temples are all within a 25-minute drive. It's around two hours by public transportation, or a little more than hour's drive, to Osaka International Airport.

The rooms at the hotel are clean and spacious, but elements like chipped furniture, outdated carpeting, and brass-framed pictures are in need of a refresh. These rooms are far larger than most in the Kyoto area, with even the smallest room offering nearly 40 square meters of space (431 square feet). Decor varies from room to room, and some -- like the Royal Floor Twin Room that we visited -- have a sober style about them, with decorative slate tile headboards, an abundance of neutrals and grays, and dark wood furniture. Other rooms are lighter and brighter -- even a bit whimsical -- like the Deluxe Floor Suite with all-over floral printed wallpaper that we saw (though the diamond-patterned emerald green carpet won't win any style awards). Bathrooms, which include dated shower/tub combos, lack counter space and toiletries come in dispensers. Vanities and sinks are outside the bathrooms, a convenience guests seem to like, as it makes it easier for two people to prepare for the day at the same time. Windows offer views of the pretty courtyard or the green hills in the distance, and all rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and LAN connections, and mini-fridges. 

Grand Prince Hotel has a French/teppanyaki restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a cafe. There are also a bar and a traditional tea house in a Japanese garden. Guests should know that reservations for the tea house are required three days in advance. The hotel's breakfast includes Japanese, continental, and American options, but is not included in room rates. There’s a souvenir shop on-site that also sells snacks and beer. The hotel has a spa offering beauty and relaxation treatments, and seven meeting rooms are available for private events. Parking is free, as is Wi-Fi.