The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

One of Kyoto's most intriguing repurposings comes in the form of The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu. Like so much of Kyoto’s ancient city, The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu— which takes its name from the word for “azure dragon,” the mythic protector of the Higashiyama district — seeks to preserve Kyoto’s heritage while offering the best of modern amenities. The result of refurbishing an elementary school dating to the 1930s with all the updates necessary to make it an ultra-luxe destination, the hotel affords breathtaking vistas of Kyoto and is a perfect perch from which to make quick jaunts to the historic city’s best sites.While the converted lobby and guest rooms do not shy away from their academic past, the exterior design and interior décor provide a stunning blend of modernist less-is-more simplicity and traditional Japanese touches to create an elegant locale that is both swank and comfortable.