KIORI Hotel Higashino Toin

They brought the suitcases we’d sent from our previous hotel in Tokyo right to our room before we arrived, which was great. The reception staff were also really friendly, and the place was spotless, with roomy rooms and a great bathroom and shower. It had only just opened, with a calm, elegant modern design. In the common room they had complimentary coffee and small breakfast bites like croissants, even though we hadn’t booked breakfast. It’s centrally located, an easy walk from the main shopping area and Pontocho alley. A wonderful stay.

Really new, clean, quiet, and in a great spot. There are lots of little restaurants and bars close by, and the staff were super friendly and spoke good English. I’d definitely come back to Kyoto and stay here again. One small thing: our room was near the elevators, and in the morning the arrival “pling” sounded a bit like my alarm starting, so it woke me up. Maybe a flashing light would be enough to let hotel guests know the elevator has arrived.

The location is quite good, around a five minute walk from Karasuma-Shijo Station. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, while the neighborhood itself is quiet. Still, at about €260 a night during peak season, I’d look elsewhere. The mattress is extremely hard. The slippers, towels, toothbrushes, and toothpaste are low quality, and though the hotel is new, the towels look old and the bath mat is already worn. They don’t provide razors, yukata, or body lotion. At this price, I’d expect those basics, and many hotels include things like face masks or foot patches too. Service was disappointing. Nobody at the front desk greeted guests proactively. I said hi to the woman at reception and got no response, which felt unusual in Japan. Housekeeping didn’t replenish cotton swabs or replace used coffee cups and spoons, so I washed them myself. The next day I washed a cup and forgot to put the spoon back, and nobody sorted it out. I had a package delivered, but had to ask about it myself. Usually a hotel brings it to the room or leaves a message asking if you want it delivered. The front desk wasn’t always staffed, either. I’m pretty sure this isn’t run by a Japanese company. The man at reception is clearly Chinese, and Chinese is his native language, but even after he saw my Chinese passport, he still didn’t speak Chinese to me. Honestly, I don’t get it.

There’s a lounge open 24/7 with drinks and light snacks, which was really convenient, and the rooms felt surprisingly spacious for Japan with lovely design. We had an amazing stay. The location was perfect and the service was excellent. Truly the best value for money in Kyoto. Highly recommend.