HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto

The hotel has a cheerful feel, and we really liked its interiors and room design. It seems especially suited to younger travelers, and the location made it easy to reach the main sights. We expected a tiny room from the photos, but ours was larger than standard Japanese hotel rooms. We could open two big suitcases and still get around, and the bathroom was roomier than it appeared in the pictures. The main letdown was reception. Every day, all the staff seemed uneasy and a bit lost when we asked questions, and generally unfriendly. It wasn’t the Japanese hospitality we’d expected. Even so, it’s a great hotel for the price.

The building’s interior is really pretty, and there’s a 7-11 right by the entrance. Staff were excellent and welcoming to foreigners, so I’d recommend it if you’re not confident speaking Japanese. The rooms are somewhat small, and the beds can be awkward to get in and out of.

Staff were kind and helpful, and the room was a decent size by Kyoto standards. The smart layout, including luggage storage under the bed, made good use of the space. But my husband and I slept poorly because the pillows, mattress, and overall bedding were extremely uncomfortable. The bed setup was a real disappointment and took away from an otherwise solid stay. With more comfortable beds, this could be a reliable place to stay. As things are, we wouldn’t return.

The bus stop is right outside, with routes to many popular places that don’t require transfers, and walking around is very doable too. There’s a 7-Eleven downstairs, which is handy. I had a good stay for a great price. The hotel’s design is super cute, and I loved the look of everything. I’d expected the room to be dark all day, but a huge window brings in lots of morning light. The washroom is quite dark, though, and the room is small but can fit a large suitcase. Staff were kind and helpful, and reception has a list of amenities you can ask for that aren’t in the room. My biggest annoyance was laundry: there are only three coin washers and dryers, and everyone wants to use them, so you have to sit right outside the laundry room if you want a machine. The lobby itself is cool, with drinks to order, a cute sitting area, claw machines, and a TV.