The sights of Kyoto are pretty spread out, so wherever you stay you'll be near some of them and far from others. For the second half of a trip one time, I looked at my options and chose to be near (a) what I wanted to see, and (b) the subway, and this hotel met both of those needs.

Like others in the chain, Urban Hotel Nijo is modern and stylish, with a restaurant occupying most of the ground floor, the entrance tucked in at the side. Next to the lobby there's a 'community room' where, when it's not being used for business, you can relax with a newspaper, avail yourself of the Wi-Fi, or choose from a selection of gifts.

My twin room was a fair size, certainly adequate for a very light traveler like me; the muted earthtones were gentle on the eye, with a couple of nice, small prints around the bed as an accent, and fun touches like a wicker stool and a round table hugging a corner of two walls. There's no bathtub, but the shower and toilet share the modern design, the solid floor tiles a big plus; if the glass doors aren't to your liking, there are screens available to provide some privacy.

The public baths are up on the seventh floor; there are separate bathrooms for men and women, swapping over each day. One has a (very compact) sauna, the other mineral baths, but in both, as you sit in the bath you look out through large windows at a gravel garden with artfully arranged trees, adding a meditative zen aspect to your relaxation.

Other assorted good points: there's free coffee in reception; the roomwear (which you can wear to the spa) is pretty funky; and before my stay I exchanged a couple of emails with the hotel, which were answered reasonably promptly and in capable English.

The main nearby sight is mighty Nijo Castle, a must for any visitor here, and the neighbouring Shinsen-en garden. By way of your practical needs, there's a supermarket just a minute or two down the road, and a good range of restaurants and cafes within easy walking distance.