Node Hotel

For my first visit to Kyoto, this turned into a very special stay. The rooms and foyer have a modern, luxurious feel, with design that’s both tasteful and practical. Breakfast felt personal and made just for the guest. The staff’s warmth and hospitality really stood out. I’d love to return soon, and the owner and staff deserve credit for the experience.

The beds in prison might be more comfortable. The mattress felt like cement, and the pillows were just as flat and hard. There was no TV, and the duvet had stains on it. Gross. We couldn’t get the AC out of heating mode, so we had to leave the window propped open and listen to road traffic all night. The shower products were placed behind the water stream, so reaching them meant putting an arm through it. There’s too little counter and storage space. Everything feels designed to look good at the expense of working well, and transport was less convenient than we expected.

The front desk team were exceptionally professional and considerate, easily the strongest part of my stay. The hotel is older, but the modern, minimal design is still pleasing. The room was fairly large by Japan standards, and I liked the bathroom design. I also appreciated the complimentary water and Bluetooth speaker. The fridge cabinet door was a bit broken, and there’s no TV, which I didn’t mind. Getting a good night’s sleep could be improved. Blackout curtains and softer pillow options would help. The AC cools the room quickly, but even on its lowest fan setting it blows a lot of air straight at you. With it off, the room was too warm for me. Breakfast looked beautiful, though vegetarians may find the menu limiting unless they really love red and yellow peppers, which were in both the soup and main, and eggplant. Avocado, almond butter, or eggs could be good protein options if the menu changes. There’s a lot to like about Node, and I could recommend it.

We first stayed at Node Hotel in 2023 and came back in 2025. It’s centrally located but on a quiet street, and the rooms are roomy and carefully designed. The service was impeccable. Be sure to book breakfast: it’s cooked individually each day with fresh ingredients. We’ll return again on our next Kyoto trip.