The Screen

After being welcomed in with a cup of Ippodo tea, The Screen quickly feels like home. The atmospheric Bron Ronnery restaurant serves a range of creative French-fusion dishes, while the Sunsun lounge has a more relaxed environment with walls of glass that let in plenty of natural light. Light meals are served at Sho-Ki, or head there later for a glass of champagne. If you're visiting in summer, the terrace has lovely views, making it the perfect spot for sundowners.

From multi-coloured walls and bright artworks to entirely monochrome aesthetics, each of The Screen's 13 rooms has its own (very quirky) character. The interiors are artfully done, whether it's an interpretation of contemporary Japan, glowing under huge moon-shaped motifs or decorated in the hues of the very poetic 'morning dew'. The beds are plump and comfortable and each room features a TV, iPod dock, coffee machine and minibar, as well as good wifi. The bathrooms are pristine with quality amenities.

The hotel has bicycles available for rent if you fancy exploring on two wheels, but the Jingu Marutabashi Train Station is also a 7-minute walk away if you don’t. Kyoto boasts 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 1,500 temples, so you'll want to explore… and then explore some more. Hot on our list is simply wandering the streets admiring the stunning temples before visiting the beautiful Mijo Castle or grand Imperial Palace, and enjoying the peace and quiet in Kyoto's scenic Botanical Garden. Then, watch a performance by a highly-skilled Geisha or meander through Nishiki Market to discover all manner of Kyoto specialties.