Review: The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
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Here’s our review of The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This review is part of our series of articles about our family trip to Japan, South Korea and Turkey in spring 2023:
The Chapter Kyoto – Booking
We chose the Hiyori Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio hotel, for its location and cost. Indeed, its location is perfect for those wishing to visit Kyoto’s bustling center.
A 10-minute walk will take you to the traditional, historic streets of Pontocho, to the arcaded galleries that house numerous boutiques, and not far away from the historic district of Gion. A stroll through these districts is a must, and you may even come across some geishas. Between restaurants, temples and stores, the hotel’s location is essential!
Secondly, the price. Rooms start at $300 or 44,000 points per night. For comparison, nearby hotels are:
- The Ritz-Carlton, next door, from $1,500 or 94,000 points per night
- The Westin Miyako in Gion, from $400 or 48,000 points per night
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Chapter Kyoto – Location
The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is located on a busy thoroughfare. A FamilyMart and several restaurants are nearby. You’ll have to walk south (Pontocho) or north to find points of interest.
Having rented a car, we had to find a parking space to leave our car for 24 hours. Indeed, it will be tough to park in the center of town unless you pay a high price. We quickly found a parking space next to the hotel for only 1,200 yen per 24 hours.
If you travel by public transportation, check out our complete guide to saving money!
The Chapter Kyoto – Check-in
Once inside the hotel, you’ll notice a modern, Zen-inspired design using noble, natural materials: stone at the entrance, rock, wood and leather.
A Nespresso coffee machine is available at the entrance, along with a table and two high chairs for those looking for a quick break. To the right is the reception area, and to the left is a relaxation area with access to the dining room.
The reception is small and warm with its lighting. The setting is relaxing with few motifs on the walls and straight lines.
On the same floor, you can also access the public baths, the fitness room and a room for smokers. We’ll take the elevators to the side of the reception desks to get to our room.
The Chapter Kyoto – Bedroom
The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers 203 rooms, including two signature suites inspired by Japanese tea ceremonies.
The rooms have been designed in a modern style to provide an elegant, comfortable setting. Two single beds occupy the room, as well as a sitting area with a bench, an armchair and a small round table. A large-format TV is on the wall, and a wooden chest of drawers contains a safe and a fridge with a kettle and a few tea bags.
However, there is no coffee machine in the room, as the hotel has chosen to make a single coffee engine available to guests at the hotel entrance.
The bathroom is small but well organized and modern, with a large mirror on the wall, a bathtub-shower and a Japanese toilet. Products are dispensed in large containers.
The Chapter Kyoto – Breakfast
The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers breakfast service in its ground-floor Chapter The Grill restaurant, daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.
We’ll have to wait a while when we arrive as space is limited. The buffet is complete with a varied choice of quality products.
The hotel doesn’t offer restaurant service in the evenings, nor a lounge, but for guests with a small appetite, delicious ramen-type soups are available free of charge.
The Chapter Kyoto – Other services
The Chapter Kyoto – Public baths
You can also try out the baths on the first floor, with separate entrances for men and women, overlooking a relaxing garden. Entrance is possible every day between 6 and 10 am or between 2 and 1 am.
The Chapter Kyoto – Gym
You have access to a fitness room, open 24 hours a day, with an interesting choice of equipment.
The Chapter Kyoto – Laundry
Another advantage of this hotel is that it offers a laundry room with two washing machines and two dryers. This comes in handy if, like us, you’re travelling around Japan as a family.
Kyoto – Activities
Here are some examples of recommended activities in Kyoto to book with Viator:
The Chapter Kyoto – My overall impression
The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a perfect choice when you look for an accommodation in the area. We found our stay relaxing, although we would have liked an improved offer for evening catering.
See our other articles about this family trip to Japan, South Korea and Turkey :
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
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