Kyoto Accommodation - High End

For luxury and location that can't be beat, the Granvia Hotel adjoining/atop the JR Kyoto Station would be something of a treat. Spacious, stylish and modern, the Granvia is often considered Kyoto's best Western hotel.

If you stay 3 days or more, you can get a Superior room with City view for ¥16,333 (S$205) per night. Breakfast not included. Still, less expensive than the Hyatt or Nikko. More photos here. And here from Tripadvisor.

The highly revered Hiiragiya Ryokan in Kyoto comes highly recommended - even if just for one night. Been around since 1818, it's a luxurious traditional ryokan that serves top notch kaiseki. Whoa, rooms in the main building start from ¥30,000 (S$378) per person per night! But includes that fantastic dinner and breakfast which would easily cost ¥15,000 on their own. Hmm, worth the once-in-a-lifetime splurge? See photo gallery on CNN - rooms, food, bath, yukata.