I'm getting way behind on my Asia planning -- 2 and a half months takes a lot of planning and I've been very busy otherwise.

So the little 4 night side excursion from China to Kyoto (flying in and out of Osaka) has taken a back seat. Any hotel recommendations? I've decided to pass on doing a ryokan.
I'd like to keep the hotel under $100 US if possible, but like a pretty nice place and very convenient for arrival and departure by train to Osaka airport.

I started a little research, but was overwhelmed with all the choices, so looking for a charming, friendly, easy to get to place with good facilities (internet access is important and nice if it is included).

You might consider the Fujita Hotel Kyoto. It's about 2 blocks north of the Okura Hotel and right on the river, so very convenient to the subway and in easy walking distance to Ponto-cho, Teramachi-dori, Nishiki market. You can get a single room for about $100. The room will be very small, but it will be modern (incl toilet w/washlet) and of course extremely clean. I'd characterize the place as more of a large-and-good-value (with excellent location) than small-and-charming.

lots of people like the hyatt, but i'm sure it is more expensive

Yea, the Hyatt would be nice and I can get a special senior rate of about $425 per night. So no, that's NOT what I'm looking for!

I'll check on the Fujito.

I stayed at the Fujita several years ago so I can't speak to the current condition but the location was very good and we enjoyed the view of the river. There was a lounge that looked out over a very pretty garden as I recall.

We stayed at the Ana Hotel (Intercontinental) good location right opposite Nikko castle. A 10 min bus ride (complimentary shuttle) from the station. A chain hotel rather than "charming" but good facilities, friendly staff and some nice restaurants in the area. Bus stops right outside for getting around town.

I recommend the Palaceside Hotel in Kyoto. Today last year we paid $92 US per night for 4 nights.

http://www.palacesidehotel.co.jp/english_site/

It is a few steps away from a metro stop that will take you everywhere (including Kyoto station). we had an early morning flight so we took a cab to the train station (around $15 US) and then took the train to the airport from there.

usernameistaken, the Palaceside looks nice and I can get the larger single for $74 a night direct from them. I haven't even checked with Agoda or anyone else which could be cheaper? So it's right at the Imperial Palace stop on the subway direct from Kyoto Station? Is there a lot in that neighborhood for restaurants, etc?

Last August, I spent 21,000 yen for 3 nights for a spacious single room at the MyStays Shijo, booked via travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ It is a about 5 minutes walk from the Shijo Metro station (two stops from Kyoto train station); but I used mostly buses to get around. Also within walking distance to the Nishiji Market to the east; or the Keifuku tram terminus for the tram to Arashiyama to the west.

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/kyoto0809/e2b257b32

@Neopatrick

It is located between Imedagawa station and Marutomachi station - which are both on the line from Kyoto station- and across the street from the palace gardens.
http://www.palacesidehotel.co.jp/eng...ess/index.html

We didn't eat much around there except for a delicious little noodle cafe close to the McDonalds (we ate their twice!) but that is because we were visiting friends who lived in another neighborhood and we ate where they took us! During our free time, we would walk from the Palaceside to the other parts of Kyoto. However, there seem to be lots of eating places nearby. What is nice about the neighborhood is how easy it is to walk and subway to different parts of the city.

It's a done deal. The PalaceSide has already confirmed my reservation at 6500 per night for a "larger" single room. I hope that noodle shop is open for breakfast as reveiews mention breakfast isn't very good at the hotel and is rather "expensive".

Japan is such a great food culture that you won't have a problem getting cheap & good food anywhere. Some of my favorite "breakfasts" have been the little onigiri rice balls and a fruit from a convenience store.