Hotel REF di Kyoto

Pros: 1. Very close to Kamo River, convenient transportation. 2. Staff were very helpful and promptly resolved issues. Cons: 1. The air conditioning was extremely strong and the temperature couldn't be adjusted. It's a very old design, as shown in the picture. Luckily, the weather was mild so we didn't need to use it. Otherwise, it would be too hot without it and too cold with it on. 2. The duvet cover wasn't cotton, which made it very uncomfortable and it made a rustling noise. If two people were sharing the room, the noise from their partner turning over would likely wake them up. 3. The provided toiletries were the most basic out of all the hotels we stayed at. 4. The shampoo, body wash, and conditioner were severely watered down! The brand was terrible, and the shampoo left my hair feeling rough. It was the worst quality among all the hotels. 5. I suspect some of the positive reviews are fake. Most shops in Japan close by 8 PM, so staying a bit further out isn't much of an inconvenience. I understand that Japanese hotels can be small, but the window insulation here was very poor, making it impossible to get a quiet rest. The bedding, air conditioning, and toiletries were all subpar. If this hotel wants to succeed long-term, it needs to significantly improve its service quality.