HANARE by Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo

The little boutique shops around the hotel were a highlight, and it’s a short walk to Nishiki and the central shopping area. We spent five nights from late December into early January, three adults and a 10-year-old in the Luxury Hanare Suite. There was plenty of room for everyone to get some quiet time. The person at the front desk who welcomed us was so friendly. I’m sorry I can’t remember his name, but he remembered mine throughout our stay, which was top-notch hospitality. Having laundry in the room was a godsend, and we requested daily cleaning.

The room was roomy and clean, and I was surprised by how hospitable the staff were right after checking in. I got an upgrade to room 2401, which was beyond what I expected. It has a 12kg washing machine with a dryer function, handy if you’re packing light or travelling with children. The station is just a couple of minutes away, and Nishiki Market is within walking distance. It’s not as crowded as other parts of Kyoto. I’ll definitely come back.

The staff really stood out. Fukakusa, Mitsukawa, Nakamaru and Yoshi went out of their way to help, and the hotel and its owner should recognize them. Fukakusa and Mitsukawa handled calls and reservations for us, including cancelling restaurant bookings and contacting other hotels during our Japan trip. Yoshi even ran about 1km to a restaurant we were heading to, to tell us he’d secured a reservation at another restaurant we wanted and ask if we’d rather go there. That’s above and beyond. The location was convenient, near JR stations and within walking distance of good shops and restaurants, but far enough from Nishiki Market to be peaceful. The rooms had comfortable beds with a choice of pillows, spacious washroom areas, and a fantastic shower. In-room laundry was a nice bonus.

I was glad I booked this for a work trip and a few vacation days. I’d stayed at Tokyu stay before, and since "Hanare," had recently been updated, I wanted to try it. I found a good deal online. The front desk manager was super friendly and made check-in easy, and the staff were welcoming to non-Japanese guests. The family-size twin room had a decent kitchen table, dual sinks, a separate toilet, and a nice bathroom with a tub and fancy shower head, not a unit bath. The washer/dryer was good by Japanese standards, and the air conditioning worked great. My third-floor room had no view, with frosted windows, but still got good natural light. The bathroom and toilet doors closed very forcefully, which felt a bit strange, maybe because everything was so new. There’s free coffee and water downstairs, plus sake and snacks in the lobby in the evening. My wife was stoked about the Umaibo. It was a quiet, mid-upscale extended-stay experience.