I should have included this in my previous post: Does anyone have hotel suggestions for Tokyo and Kyoto (based on favorable first-hand experiences)?
We'd like a place that either serves breakfast or has rooms with kitchenettes.

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Good to post your budget/night as that will be huge. And if you need twin beds or if a double will work. Assuming two married adults and non-smoking...?

We stayed at Hundred STay Shinjuku last year, and that was really fine, but we were a group of 6. The room was clean and very spacious, and I found the location quite good, nearish the Yamanote line station. (I recommend a hotel near the Yamanote line.) Maybe check out rates there for a double. Kitchenette and washing machine.

Kitchenette hotels are the Tokyu STay, Monday Apart, Mimaru. No first hand experience, but Ueno is often mentioned for less expensive hotels with Yamanote line access/Narita line access (from Ueno Keisei station.)

I like breakfast buffets on Okinawa, but opt out in Tokyo, so can't advise there. If you have a kitchenette, you'll be able to keep some wonderful pastries for the morning. Nothing beats the canned coffees and breads at a Tokyo convenience store for me!

In Tokyo, we stayed in Asakusa, which we loved, and stayed in the Richmond Premier Asakusa. It serves a huge buffet breakfast. We liked the hotel a lot and got a room with a view of the Sky Tower. We were very happy here.

In Kyoto, we stayed at Hotel Mume (highly recommended on this site), a very small boutique hotel with the best customer service ever. The breakfast is prepared but is quite good. And did I mention the customer service? Loved this place! It’s very popular so often difficult to confirm rooms until 3 or so months out. If you’re looking for a buffet breakfast, this is not your place. Oh, they also do a lovely afternoon tea❤️

Thanks ChgoGal and Progol for your recommendations! We're looking for something </= $250 a night (preferably less). Double, non-smoking.

Will check out the Hundred STay Shinjuku - as it sounds very much like the place we stayed at in Kyoto (which is now cost prohibitive).
Progol, we had the pleasure of staying at the Richmond in Asakusa as well. Loved it...but the prices there have gone up substantially, too. Have looked at the Hotel Mume, sadly it's booked for the period we'd be in Kyoto.

We don't want to give up on the idea of going back to Japan, but the trip has to pencil out for us.
Again, we appreciate your feedback.

Z

Last time in Kyoto we stayed at Cross Hotel which was superb. Great location, large modern rooms and one of the best breakfast buffets I have had in a mid range hotel. Rates appear to have shot up but it could be within budget depending upon dates. I booked via booking.com but increasingly I am finding that Expedia often has better rates.

Thank you Crellston, we'll check this one out, too.

Dates make a big difference regarding cost.....