Kikoku no Mori

This small boutique hotel was so peaceful and quiet during my stay, it felt like I had the whole place to myself. It’s within walking distance of Kyoto station. The room was spacious and spotless, and I loved the design of both the room and bathroom. They also provided lots of extras: toothbrush and paste, hairbrush, pony tails, cotton swabs, shower cap, pajamas, and water with activated charcoal. The staff were very welcoming and offered recommendations when I needed them. On a rainy day, there were plenty of umbrellas to use. Kaeru coffee, an excellent coffee shop down the street, is a must!

We waited until 16:05 because the room wasn’t ready at check-in, so we lost 1 hour and 5 minutes. We could hear traffic outside and the lift. The bed was extremely hard, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like that kind of bed. The staff weren’t very welcoming and didn’t tell us anything during check-in. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel when there are alternatives around Kyoto with better rooms, service, price, and location.

I stayed here for one night with my mother when we visited Kyoto two years ago. It was an easy walk from the train station. The hotel is gorgeous, with large, comfortable rooms and a peaceful, almost magical feel. The tea tasted great, and I think the ceramic mugs made it even better, haha. It’s one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed in, and I really appreciated the experience. I wish I could go back.

The only inconvenience was not having a receptionist there full time. We had to communicate by phone, which is difficult with a traveler SIM since most plans don’t include calls. A WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger line for special requests would be great. Otherwise, this was one of our favorite hotels on our Japan trip. The rooms have a modern Japanese minimalist style, with just two per floor, so it’s quiet and private. Kyoto’s main highlights are nearby, and the hotel is 15 minutes on foot from Kyoto Station, with plenty of restaurants and Mini markets along the way.