We spent a week at the Hotel Matsui, and we did enjoy it. We were surprised to have rooms that were fairly spacious, considering it was Kyoto. On the 5th floor, a number of the rooms had obstructed views, but I would recommend the Ohara room fully. It was even larger than other 5th floor rooms,had a view of the city and a nicer and larger bathroom.

The location is very convenient to the outdoor markets and Gion district, but this isn't Tokyo; subway mass transit is limited in Kyoto. Buses are more complicated in any strange city, but they are convenient to get to outlying sites.

Since my family of four was staying in 2 rooms, they served us our breakfasts in a sort of cafe off the lobby. We had a choice of Japanese or western breakfasts. Both were fine, and the four of us were served by three very attentive people, with the hotel's gracious owner dropping in to make sure we enjoyed our breakfasts.

We also had a kaiseki style meal at the hotel, and it was amazing. We shared it in a large dining room with our travel group of 15 people, and the dishes came and came and came and came. Some of them were among the best things I ate in Japan; some were definitely an acquired taste. The meal was a great experience.

We may have had more language difficulties than the other reviewer, but there was usually someone who spoke sufficient English. The staff were excellent about making reservations for us, getting us bicycles, giving us recommendations, reminding us to take umbrellas, etc. Like the previous reviewer, we were more than tickled when five of the staff came out as we left to wave us goodbye in our taxi. They were even holding a farewell banner!

The sweets they brought with our tea each day were the traditional Kyoto ones redolent of cinnamon, and the toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, handtowel) came in a charming cloth covered bag. We were told to take the bags each day to take away with us, and I've used them as cute gift bags since I got home. Of course, there were lovely yukatas, nice public baths, etc.

This isn't a luxurious ryokan, but it only costs about 12,500 yen a person including breakfast. I doubt any inn has more pleasant and helpful staff.

I spent 4 nights at this hotel Ryokan in Kyoto. Rooms were large, Japanese style with tatami mats and futons. They also provided nice Japanese robes (yakatas) and more formal jackets that go over the robes - so it was an instant feeling of "I am in JAPAN". Very clean with a little safe and refrigerator in each room. The staff put away the futons each morning and then set up the breakfast trays - always with a little hibatchi on which they cooked a fish, or ham and eggs, or a tofu "stew:, along with fruit, small plates of vegetables, rice, miso soup, etc.....It was interesting and exotic every morning.

The location was very good. On a VERY small street with lots of little shops, etc and yet only several blocks from major streets and the metro stations.

Hotel staff was WONDERFUL. Most were competent in English, but not fluent so it was fun communicating; they were very helpful with directions, etc. When we left, three of the staff accompanied us out to the taxi, thanking us the entire time. I felt as though I were leaving the home of a long-lost relative after a 4 day stay - not a hotel whre I had never previously stayed.

I did not try the communal bath because I was too busy with other things and had tried an onsen in Northern Japan. But, in retrospect, I wish I had so I could share the experience here.

I would definitely recommend the Hotel Matsui Ryokan, especially to first-times in Kyoto.