Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group

We were in a front room and it was very quiet. Both the front and back rooms have balconies with good views, and there are only two rooms per floor. Our room was literally four times the size of our Tokyo hotel rooms, and the staff were really friendly. It’s about a 15-minute walk to Daikakuji temple or downtown Arashiyama and the bamboo forest, so it’s a great find for exploring the area. I’d stay here again if I come back. One issue: the shower room smelled strongly of mold or mildew. Keeping the door shut made it fine.

The location near the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest made early visits easy, before the crowds, and put temples, riverside walks, and cafés close by. Homm Stay is the best hotel I’ve stayed at so far in Japan. The rooms are surprisingly spacious for the country, with a suite-like layout and an in-room TV, more like a modern serviced apartment than a typical compact hotel. The big, comfortable bed felt luxurious for this price point. Clean, minimalist Japanese design still feels cozy and home-like, so it works for a short visit or a longer stay.

The room was lovely and spacious. It’s well placed if you’re planning to see nearby spots like the bamboo forest or monkey park.

The bathroom was superb, and this was the best stay of my Japan trip. The staff were really helpful, and the room was very good, with a small balcony.