Comfort Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma

The hotel feels more intimate because it isn’t as large as some others, and the staff were super friendly. Our room was clean. It’s a great three-star place to stay in Kyoto, central but quiet, with Nishiki markets, shopping, and other sights close by. Getting there from Kyoto station was easy, two subway stops. There are also some excellent little restaurants in the alley just behind the hotel.

I’d stay here again for the location alone, though next time I’d arrive earlier so there’s time to ask for a room change or have housekeeping come by if it’s not clean. The spot is unbeatable, within walking distance of the main shopping areas and Nishiki Market, with restaurants and a supermarket nearby. Just don’t set your expectations too high. My first two nights were booked so I could check the location, then I extended the stay by two more nights. I told the front desk the next morning and only asked for extra toilet paper and tissues to be delivered, since I didn’t need daily housekeeping. Around noon on the third day, I got a call asking me to come downstairs to check out. I explained I was staying four nights total, but the staff didn’t seem to know and had to check before asking me to exchange my key card. The room also looked poorly cleaned when I arrived close to 10 p.m. There were long hairs by the bathroom entrance and around the hanger area, and both the toilet paper and tissues were almost gone. I’d stayed in Japan before and expected the toilet paper rolls to be folded at the end. Neither roll had been used up like that, though they were left unfinished and looked untouched in the photos. I’m not exaggerating. One other thing: this is the only Comfort Hotel I’ve stayed at in Japan that didn’t include breakfast. It costs 1,200 yen per person, and I wouldn’t recommend eating there since there are better, cheaper choices nearby. I had a breakfast set at Inoda Coffee for 1,100 yen instead.

After a long day of walking, it was great to unwind in the hotel’s onsen. The room was clean and neat, and the location was really handy. It’s three minutes from a bus stop that goes to many of Kyoto’s famous places, and the train station is beside that stop, one ride from Kyoto station. There are lots of distinctive restaurants behind the hotel, worth exploring in the evening. One of the best value hotels you can find.

The calm, welcoming atmosphere and the convenient location made this a lovely stay. My room was spotless, and the staff were kind and helpful. Breakfast tasted fresh and delicious, and the service was even better than I’d expected. Everything felt perfect to me. I’d definitely return and recommend it to anyone visiting the area.