ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kyoto

My daughter-in-law’s parents live near Nijo Castle, and we stayed here to coincide with her second homecoming childbirth. Parking was free, and although there was a minor issue in the Room, it was handled promptly. The free shuttle bus to Kyoto Station was also very convenient. I’ve stayed overnight in Kyoto many times, and I truly feel we should have used this place much sooner. The area in front of the banquet hall on the second floor was spacious as well, and even though it was scorching hot outside, we were able to relax and play with our two-year-old first grandchild—making this a stay we are deeply grateful for.

For many years, I had dreamed of seeing the Gozan Okuribi, and as soon as I found this Plan at the Hotel, I made a Reservation right away. Perhaps because I booked early, the Plan details were not posted on the website or elsewhere, so it was hard to picture what it would be like. I called to ask directly, but even then the explanation was unclear. I would appreciate it if clear information about what the Plan includes could be provided from the time it is released so that any staff member can answer questions. (Also, one person at reception was not very friendly, which honestly left me with a slightly negative impression.) As for the Gozan Okuribi itself, Daimonji was especially easy to see. (The other characters varied in distance and visibility, but we still enjoyed them.) The room, bath area, and facilities were clean and well maintained, making our stay comfortable. Nijo Castle is also nearby, so we were able to take a relaxing morning walk there as well.