Overall it was 'ok', but didn't feel like 4-5 stars. This surprised me, since it was ranked extremely high on TripAdvisor's reviews (#4 or #5 at the time I booked it).

pros:
- Free wired broadband Internet in the room (no WiFi though)
- Location is at walking distance (~15 minutes) from Gion area, which is nice at night
- Nice city view (at least if you're at a high floor, if your window overlooks in the 'right' direction)

cons:
- Room is nothing more than average, definitely doesn't feel like 4-5 stars
- Coffee kit in the room is not complementary (i.e. you have to pay for it)
- I asked for non-smoking room, but the room had an implied odor of past smoking (it was very weak, so I might be wrong on this judgement).
- No WiFi in the room, just slow WiFi in the lobby
- English of some staff members could have been better
- extra charge for breakfast

My daughter and I stayed there May 16-20, 2012. The following are the pros- great service, terrific location, and comfortable rooms. The cons- the buffet breakfast on the 17th floor was good with fresh fruit, yogurt and baked goods but did not have enough "western" items such as a good cheese selection and freshly made pancakes/waffles. Also the staff toasted a large basket of bread rather than doing it as required. I noticed that most 'westerners' preferrred it freshly made and to their specifications. These are very small complaints. We loved the hotel and would definitely stay there again!

Spent 2 nights at the Okura. Great location and very nice/clean rooms. Lobby hasn't been renovated for a while but rooms are fine. No wifi except for the lobby so if you plan on connecting to the internet, you too will notice how out dated the lobby is. Breakfast isn't great so just head up the block for that and avoid the sushi restaurant as its over priced and you can find better outside the hotel. Oh, if you are a man reading this, don't shave for a few days then spoil yourself for an hour and get a shave at the baber in the basement...AMAZING!!!

We selected the Okura based on tripadvisor reviews, the reputation of the chain and the desire for a room with a view (the Okura is one of the higher buildings in Kyoto). We flew directly to Kyoto from Boston so were tired when we arrived. The excellent service and plush quiet tranquil room was perfect. After seven nights we were reluctant to leave as it felt like home -- we knew staff members and the neighborhood well.

A few tips:
- ask for a room on a higher floor with a view of the river (though the other side is fine)
- the hotel restaurants are pricey - we went to the Japanese 6th floor restaurant one night when we were too tired to go out and had an excellent meal. The top floor breakfast buffet is worth a splurge one morning for the view and the cafe off the lobby another -- they were expensive with good food and service.
- some good breakfast options a block away on Sanjo Dori: Ogawa Coffee (fab espresso/coffee and pastry/egg options but doesn't open until 9:00); a french patisserie with good coffee and egg dishes (forget the name, nearer Kawaramachi Dori); and right by the river a Starbucks.
- if you can really splurge go to the amazing Pontocho Misoguigawa Japanese/French fusion restaurant serving the multi course kaiseki style dinner. We ate very well in Japan over three weeks - our meal at Misoguigawa was the best. (Just 1.5 blocks from hotel near Starbucks.
- there are many, many restaurants in the area. We found the concierge recommendations to be very good especially when we were clear about our preferences. The concierge was also very helpful with sightseeing advice.