Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto
This is an excellent backpacker's hostel offering very good value for money, clean, tidy accommodation and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. It opened in 2003 and has already established itself as a favourite among travellers on a budget. Located just a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, it is a convenient option. There are single, double and triple rooms as well as dorms, and Internet access and bicycle hire are among its attractive features.

418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku
Tel: (075) 342 2444.
Website: http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html
Price: $

Gion Hatanaka
Kyoto ryokans can be forbiddingly expensive, but Gion Hatanaka manages to avoid excessive prices while still offering the most elegant, high-quality service and comfort. Located in a secluded corner in the heart of Gion, it offers a calm and quiet atmosphere while having the hustle and bustle of the city nearly on the doorstep. From the wood-floored Japanese baths to the enclosed garden to the exquisite cuisine, Gion Hatanaka serves up a peculiarly Japanese experience.

Yasaka Shrine Minamimonmae, Gion, Higashiyama-ku
Tel: (075) 541 5315.
Website: www.thehatanaka.co.jp/enindex.html
Price: $$$$

Gion Fukuzumi Inn (Ryokan)
This is a modern, welcoming and reasonably priced Gion ryokan. Like all ryokans it provides Japanese-style rooms with sliding doors, tatami mats, futons and so on, and it also offers en-suite bathrooms as well as two traditional communal baths - a large indoor bathroom and a smaller outdoor bath. Free Internet access is available in the lobby.

Nishi-hairu Shimbashi Higashiohji, Higashiyama-ku
Tel: (075) 541 5181.
Website: www.gion-fukuzumi.com/eng
Price: $$

Holiday Inn
This hotel is located in the northeast part of the city, near Kyoto University. It is a basic hotel with comfortable rooms and a couple of restaurants as well as a sushi bar on site. Business services such as printing or faxing are available, as is Internet access. The hotel has four meeting rooms. The largest can take 200 people theatre style.

36 Nishihiraki-cho Takano, Sakyo-ku
Tel: (075) 7213131.
Website: www.ichotelsgroup.com
Price: $

Hotel Granvia Kyoto
A well-designed, stylish hotel for both business and leisure, the Granvia is conveniently located next to, and even directly connected to, JR Kyoto Station. It is 15-floor tall and has an indoor pool, a sauna, jet bath, wellness club, and fitness gym, a skylounge on the 15th floor and several restaurants and bars. There is complimentary Internet access in all rooms.

901 Higashi-Shiokoji-cho, Shiokoji Sagaru Karasuma-Dori, Shimogyo-ku
Tel: (075) 344 8888.
Website: www.granvia-kyoto.co.jp/e
Price: $$$

Iori Weekly Machiya
An excellent alternative to staying in a hotel or ryokan is to book a machiya, a traditional Kyoto merchant townhouse. Iori Weekly Machiya offers downtown accommodation in restored, authentic wooden townhouses with a combination of traditional machiya architecture (open entrances with complex beam-work, tatami-matted rooms, tokonoma alcoves etc.) and modern furniture and conveniences. Visitors get a feel for traditional Japanese living while at the same time enjoying modern comforts.

144-6 Sujiya-cho Takatsuji-agaru, Tominokoji-dori Shimogyo-ku (main office)
Tel: (075) 352 0211.
Website: www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english
Price: $$$-$$$$

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
A luxurious hotel with a central location not far from Tokyo Station, the Tokyu Hotel has 128 well-appointed rooms with Internet access over seven floors. There is a full range of facilities for everything from receptions to international conferences. A beauty salon and a kimono dressing room are available. The hotel has three restaurants. Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby.

Gojo-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku
Tel: (075) 341 2411.
Website: www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/en/TH/TH_KYOTO
Price: $$$