We have stayed at a lot of hotels on every continent and our stay at Hokkaikan Ohanabo was one of the best ever! Our room was spotless and serviced unobtrusively and meticulously. The staff was kind to a fault—insisting on carrying our (heavy) luggage up and down the stairs, drying our umbrellas with towels when we returned, putting our shoes out each morning when shortly before we needed them, and checking with us about every possible need. The breakfasts were spectacular in appearances, flavor, variety and amount (too much to eat, too many choices). I read with some skepticism a few prior reviews saying that the best part of visiting Kyoto was staying at Hokkaikan Ohanabo, but as magical as Kyoto is, I now understand what they meant. The genuine kindness and warmth of the entire staff is unsurpassed.
