If that's their aim, I'd suggest a night at one of the most famous ryokan. If they're on a quick overnight trip with some luggage and without the desire to drop hundreds of dollars on a ryokan (or without the need to experience fantasy Kyoto), there's really nothing wrong with staying near the station and taking a bus next day to see the sights.

Pretending that the area south of Kyoto station is kind of ill manor is perverse. It's not insight. It's misleading.