HOTEL LiVEMAX Kyoto Kamogawamae

For this price, Kyoto has much better places to stay. The hotel smelled awful throughout, and the rooms were so dusty that I worried I'd wake up with breathing problems. The carpet had a stale, dusty odor and seems like an unhygienic hotel floor choice since it can't be cleaned properly. Dust covered the facilities, including the air conditioning. There was only one person at reception, so check-in took 15 minutes. Then the key card was programmed incorrectly and I had to go back down because I couldn't get into my room. The air felt awful and hard to breathe in, with dust particles visible everywhere. The windows don't open, either. The sheets felt scratchy and unsanitary. The location wasn't great, though it wasn't terrible.

The staff were courteous and helpful throughout, and the price felt very reasonable for what we got. The room had a lovely view of the Kamo River from the balcony, which became our own quiet spot. It was spacious, spotless, and comfortable, with a great bed and a modern, simple design. By Kyoto city standards there was plenty of room to relax. The location made it easy to walk to Gion, Pontocho, and Nishiki Market in about 10-15 minutes. We loved our evening walks along the river, and the area felt peaceful while still being so accessible. The free laundry room was a huge help, and after long days visiting Kyoto's temples, the on-site sentō was great for tired feet. Having vending machines and an ice maker on our floor was handy too. We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Live Max Kyoto Kamogawamae and will choose it again on our next Kyoto visit. We've already recommended it to friends. Thank you!

The staff weren't helpful, and the so-called breakfast was terrible. The windows don't open and the rooms have a constant smell. I'll definitely avoid this hotel.

You only get one key for a room, even when there are multiple guests, and replacing a lost one costs 9000 yen. They also won't store luggage after checkout. I could have accepted those policies, but the person at the main desk was unfriendly and unhelpful about them.