Hotel in Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Kyoto

I am going to book a hotel in Kanazawa and Shirakawago and Kyoto for my december 2008 trip. Please help me by giving comments on the hotels or recommending better stay in a RYOKEN if possible. My budget for 2 person for a room is between 5000(w/o meal) to 15000(w dinner) yen each.

Kanazawa
Can someone help to choose between GARDEN HOTEL KANAZAWA, KANAZAWA CENTRAL HOTEL and CASTLE INN KANAZAWA or Ryoken.

Shirakawa
Koemon, Sonemon or Hisamatsu Grassho stay?

Kyoto
KYOTO DAI-ICHI HOTEL, KYOTO GARDEN HOTEL or Ryoken



Is it recommended to book the hotel through Rakuten travel, Japanican or book directly through the hotel website??
Is it recommended to book hotel stay with dinner included or will it be cheaper if I order the same dinner meal separately?

I stayed at Ryokan Shimizu in Kyoto which was great. It's not a tratitional ryokan, it is a newer building but it has futon beds to sleep on. The rooms have tv, heater, fridge and private bathrooms. There is also computers with internet in the lobby. It is about 5-10 min walk from Kyoto station.
The staff there are really friendly and helpful. They also offer a Japanese breakfast for about 1000 yen. They have a website, not sure what it is but I'm sure you could search and find it. I booked using the email address on the site.

Can't help with the other places though.

Erin - Thank you for sharing the information on Kyoto Ryoken