Hotel 2 Bintang di Kyoto

We went in 2014, and spent three weeks on a trip that took us from Tokyo with Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama and Hiroshima being the main centres we visited. As usual we didn't go on a commercially-run tour and - having done all the research thoroughly before we left Australia - we managed our own tour. Our Japan Rail Passes were such a boon !! Kyoto, as the ancient capital, was a vital segment on this trip and so our choice of accommodation was very important. This little place was central to everything we wanted to visit in Kyoto, and we were taking a friend who really preferred cruise boats and was nervous about travelling around for this length of time by land (she genuinely LOVED it) and so we deliberately didn't choose a more traditional style of Japanese accommodation: a bit disappointing for us as we would have preferred that. It was within walking distance of the Imperial Palace, and close to major cross-city bus routes - so very central to the places we wanted to visit, like the masses of cherry blossoms along the river. It was very comfortable and warm, and facilities were great. Staff were young, friendly and helpful. We would definitely stay here again if we were to return to Kyoto

Checked in but was given a bed that was already taken, however they rectified it quickly and switched me to a female dorm instead of my previously booked mixed- dorm. Showers are clean and there is a common kitchen area on 2nd floor and lounge area on 1st floor. The location is near bus stops which can get you to the train station. The bunks are quite spacious with an area to place your baggage as well. Great for solo travellers. Do note that there is a ¥200 fee per night that you will need to pay upon check in.

Wonderful stay - spacious traditional Japanese Ryokan with very friendly welcoming staff and wonderful hot pools / onsen. Lovely seating areas near all rooms with small gardens and koi pond. I'm told the hot breakfasts are great too - but I was at a conference that had plenty of food so I didn't try the Ryokan breakfast. If you're hungry at odd hours there is a Friendly Mart (Lawson? 7/11?) on the corner nearby open till 10 or 11pm - with fruit, candy, hot and cold food etc. Be ready to leave your shoes at the front door on arrival. Fresh towels, tabi (toe socks) and yukata (cotton robes) provided every day and hot water available 24/7. Read the onsen / hot pool rules before hand (in room or look up on phone) for important information like no bathing suits, sit down to shower/rinse, no soap/shampoo in the pool. After making a few mistakes on the first day, getting around by public transport became easy. Sometimes google and bus stops say that a bus has already left but they mean it's supposed to have left. It might just be delayed by a stop or two. Use ICOCA card on everything (train/bus) except for LOOP buses (couldn't work them out). SUICA card probably works anywhere too but if you get a Welcome SUICA at the airport on the way in (as I did) then you'll discover that it's different. Most importantly, the Welcome SUICA doesn't work on public transport outside of Tokyo. It also expires after 28 days losing all the money you loaded it with. However, you can use it as a payment card at most convenience stores. (I ended up using it at the Family Mart in Kyoto to buy snacks). Best app for phones - SUICA balance check - although the balance info is often printed on your receipts/bus tickets. Also, ignore all the websites that say you don't need a reserved seat on Shinkansen but can sit anywhere unless the seat is claimed. That only applies if you have a Japan Rail Pass (not a ticket, or card). Also, you need to use both your local travel pass and your Shinkansen (express) ticket to get through platform gates. That's not exactly clear either. Kyoto is beautiful and I didn't get a chance to do much sightseeing so I'll be back.

Lovely and clean place, always positive attitude. Thank you Maki for cute gift😊 It is also close to beautiful spots. I stayed in shared room and I enjoyed the time I spent in Guesthouse Soi. People come here are mainly travellers and interesting people

Great location for its price. The hotel is literally on the Yasaka pagoda photography spot where most tourist photos are taken, but it’s tucked away from the street that you will not be disturbed by the tourists. The hotel has a rooftop with breathtaking city view and a unique view of Yasaka pagoda. A lot of tourist spots in Kyoto is also walkable—Ninenzaka, the famous Starbucks Kyoto, Arabica Coffee, Kiyomizu Dera, Kodaji Park even Gion are all walkable from the hotel. Bus stop is also just about 5 minutes walk so transportation is not a problem. The hotel has unique touches to it, sparkling clean, large and spacious. The actual hotel is way better than the photos. Staff are also professional and friendly. I suggest you book the hotel for multiple days as the surrounding area has a lot to offer.

The concept of this hostel is great - something better and more inclusive than a capsule hotel with large, comfortable beds. Pros: The common area and kitchen were really nice, and the free beer hour provided a great way to connect with other travelers. The common area has huge windows looking onto downtown Kyoto. The staff were all super friendly and helpful and spoke English. You are given a keycard for access to the bed floors and after hours. You need to reserve breakfast the day before, but it's right next to St Marcs Cafe which I thought was a great option, so IMO you don't need to use the hostel's breakfast. The showers were good, and I never saw them full despite a lot of people staying here at this time. The laundry machine seemed easy to use as well. The location in downtown Kyoto is obviously great and close to bus stops to reach popular temples on the east side. Cons: The only problem I faced was that the iPod to control my bed and lights rarely worked! The first night, I was unable to recline the bed into sleeping mode or turn off the lights, so staff had to come reset something on top of the pod to get it to connect. It stopped working again after that, and I could not turn the lights on in the morning. I also did not get to use the special wake-up features. Because my stay was only a few days and I wasn't spending leisure time in the pod, I decided to just deal with the unlit pod. Also, I was the only person who I spoke with who had this issue. But the hotel should improve the engineering of the iPod controllers or provide backup physical controls on the side. This wasn't an issue for me, but my medium-sized suitcase would not fit in the pull-out luggage rack under the bed. I had to keep the suitcase closed and on its side between the luggage rack and the screen. I don't think that travelers with large suitcases would be able to fit them in the pod, you'd probably have to find an empty corner in the hallway. Overall, I would recommend staying here, just hope you aren't the unlucky one who gets assigned to a broken pod.

Ryokan yang sangat bagus, bernilai untuk wang Ia berjarak sekitar beberapa minit berjalan kaki dari Stesen Kyoto. Perkhidmatannya juga sangat baik, patut dicuba, satu-satunya kelemahan ialah kalis bunyi agak buruk

Good hotel near Kyoto station. And it is right next to Aeon mall. Easy to be located. Room size is good. Not too small. The bed is comfy. So is the pillow (only pillow is provided for a single room). Facilities is ok. No coffee/tea in the room. Good value for money.

・バス停の近く。コンビニも近くに二件ある。 ・古民家に泊まれる。実家がこちらの家とほぼ同じ築年数なので懐かしい気分に浸れた。 ・観光案内が色んなところに貼ってあるので見てみると楽しいです。西本願寺の朝のお勤めがお勧めとあったので参加しました。 ・スタッフと会わずに泊まれる。ほとんど誰とも会わずに宿泊した。 ・個室にこたつがあった。脚が寒かったので助かった。 ・脱衣所にサニタリーボックスがあった。 ・突然、携帯電話の番号から電話がかかってきてびっくりした。用心しているので不審な電話番号から出ないようにしているのでいきなりの電話は驚いてしまいます…。 また、電話をくださったスタッフさんの喋るスピードが早すぎる。ゆっくり喋ってくれと言ったが効果なし。かろうじて「はる家」が聞き取れたくらい。本当に何を喋っているかわからないので落ち着いてゆっくりお話ししてください。何も伝わりませんよ。 ・朝、おかゆをやってると聞いて見に行ったら空。釜が乾いていたのでおそらくやっていない。ご時世でやっていないのかもしれないがやっていないなら説明書き欲しいです。 ・給水タンクがあったが空。薬を飲むために水飲みたかった。このご時世でやっていないのか給水し忘れなのかどっちなのか判断がつかない。タンクに白い筋が付いていましたが洗いましたか…？ ・お風呂を貸し切りにして、浴槽にお湯を溜めてお風呂に浸かったら歯磨き粉が浮いてきてびっくり！前回使用された方の後に清掃していませんね。清掃してください…貸切料金無駄になった…。 ・脱衣所がとにかく寒い。古民家なので寒さが特に直にきた。簡易的な暖房器具ほしいです。 部屋の作りが面白くて楽しかったが、細かいところで課題多しという感じでした。

With a stay at Piece Hostel Kyoto, you'll be centrally located in Kyoto, just a 4-minute walk from Kawaramachi Street and 10 minutes by foot from Kyoto Tower. This hostel is 0.8 mi (1.2 km) from Sanjusangen-do Temple and 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from Kiyomizu Temple.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as bicycles to rent or take in the view from a rooftop terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this hostel include complimentary wireless internet access and a television in a common area.Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge.Featured amenities include a computer station, multilingual staff, and luggage storage.Make yourself at home in one of the 50 guestrooms. Your room comes with a memory foam bed. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers, complimentary toiletries, and slippers.