The DNA: The stylish and sophisticated Hotel Kanra Kyoto (“Experience Kyoto”) is set in a former schoolhouse made of two separate buildings. The open lobby has chic tiling and an elegant café with delicate handmade goods for sale. The entrance to each room has serious wow-factor with a see-through wooden panelled relief wall, paper lantern and a granite step. Inside, the spacious rooms feature a living area with tatami-mat flooring and traditional Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics. Traditional Kyoto crafts like Kyo-yaki-Kiyomizuyaki cups are in every room, from which you can drink Marukyu Koyama-en tea. There is also a ‘Tamatebako,’ a square box with a copper lid with local crafts and sweets inside. Other room facilities include a flat-screen TV, a fridge, an electric kettle, and an en suite bathroom with wooden tub. Restaurant The Kitchen Kanra serves Western dishes featuring local seasonal ingredients and a variety of local wines and spirits. The breakfast includes 20 kinds of fresh local vegetables. Small spa.

Seen: FRAME

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 68 rooms & suites (30-103m2) (323-1,110 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2010 • architecture & interior design: Norito Nakahara ❌ no parking available • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk