Guesthouse Soi

I've stayed in two different rooms at Guesthouse Soi, and both were spotless and quiet. There are several room styles, from Japanese or Western bedding to inexpensive hostel beds and family rooms. The whole place feels cared for, down to the tea bags, the free fruit set out each morning with handmade labels, and the guitar in the common room. I'm not musical, but it was lovely hearing guests play and sing softly at reasonable hours. The owners, Maki and Sim, are around daily and are kind, knowledgeable, and generous with advice. The staff are warm and helpful too, and speak several languages. Maki's Japanese breakfast is delicious comfort food, and very reasonably priced. Sim has useful suggestions for routes, trains, and neighborhood events like the annual flea markets. From the guesthouse it's a gently uphill six-minute walk to Umamachi bus station, with connections toward Gion and the trains. I also enjoyed being able to walk to Sushi Aorarashi, Cafe Shuudo, and a Lawson's. The owners were backpackers themselves, and their experience shows in the care and affordability here. Next time I'm in Kyoto, I'm staying at Guesthouse Soi again, whether I'm traveling alone or with family.

We were able to check in 15 minutes early, which was a real help. The guesthouse is also well placed for a short walk to Kiyomizu temple, the nearby shopping alleys, and a train station or bus stop. The owners know the area and gave us great advice on what to see, how to get there, and when to steer clear of peak tourist crowds. Our room was spacious and very clean. The lobby has tables where you can have the complimentary breakfast, drinks, and snacks, and the shared kitchen was clean as well. We had a fantastic stay and would happily come back 😁😁

Maki, one of the co-owners, was constantly cleaning and vacuuming whenever she wasn't helping guests. The place is well kept, with clear instructions that make everything easy to figure out. There are plenty of bathrooms and sinks on several floors, plus big lockers in the rooms. The heater was warm in winter, and I assume it can work as air conditioning in summer. I nearly chose a hotel because I wanted something nicer than a hostel, but this place feels like home. Families could stay here too, with toys and games for kids and a console for older guests. There's a simple breakfast included, or a Japanese-style breakfast with fish for an extra 1000 yen. Kyoto tax is 200 yen per day and mandatory. The co-owners are so sweet, and the value is great. This is only day one of my four days in Kyoto, and I'm already glad I booked.

We liked the area a lot. It was easy to walk to all our reservations, and we enjoyed the scenery along the way. The price was great, and the hosts were helpful whenever we needed them. Our room was cleaned regularly when we requested it. We had a really enjoyable stay.