Accommodations:

In Kyoto, there are broadly three different types of accommodations.

1. Hotel
2. Ryokan
3. Hostel/GUESTHOUSE

Hotel-
Cheap end hotels are called business hotels. Mainly for businessmen on business trips. Small rooms, but usually with all the neccessary things as a hotel, including a private shower/toilet and internet. Capsule hotels are the cheaper version of this. Capsule hotels are with shared shower/toilet and smaller private space(only the bed).
Mid range hotels and high end hotels are same as other cities/countries.

Ryokan-
Ryokan simply means "accommodation" in Japanese. So, it means Japanese hotels. Nothing special. Just sleeping on the floor, very usual. High end ryokans usually offer a great dinner, big hot bath and fairly big room(10 tatami mats or more per guestroom). Mid range/budget ryokans offer no meal or okay meal and smaller room(4.5 or 6 tatami mats).

Hostel/Guesthouss-
If you do not need luxuary, some hostels/guesthouses are the best value for money. However, you need to choose carefully. Really cheap places are low quality.