OMO5 Kyoto Sanjo by Hoshino Resorts

We had three rooms for a few nights, and the location made it easy to get to restaurants, shops, bus stops, and just about everything. The rooms were clean, much like the other OMO5 hotels, and service was great. After checkout, they kept our luggage for free until evening and helped us book restaurants by phone. Thank you.

The location was convenient, about 10 minutes from Kawaramachi station and a few minutes from the metro West East line. The room was spacious, well designed, and had good decor and hardware. There were lots of amenities, free candies, free herbal tea bags, and a free water server. Breakfast was OK, though it took time, and with so many restaurants and cafes nearby you might find better options for the price. What made the stay unpleasant was the insects. When I opened the curtains, I saw several tiny fly-like bugs on the wall. More appeared after that, including larger mosquito-like ones, and eventually they were landing on a plastic bottle. It made me feel sick. I called the front desk, but they said the hotel was full and couldn’t move me. After inspecting the room, they gave me insect repellent and said housekeeping would check the next day. When they came while I was there, they only changed the towels and took out the trash. They didn’t inspect anything, and the front desk never followed up. I couldn’t change rooms and ended up spending two unpleasant nights there. I have no idea what was going on.

I chose this after a pleasant stay at KAI Hokkaido earlier this year. The hotel is new and chic, and the location is excellent. I picked the right room type and had no complaints about it. I hadn’t stayed somewhere before that offered neither bottled water nor body lotion. Breakfast is light, so it doesn’t cost much. Skip the juice, and the coffee isn’t good. Be careful with glowing reviews calling it tasty, surprising, or awesome. They change one salad dressing, one fruit paste for yogurt, and the soup. I also learned what they mean by “self-service,” though a staff member from Bali introduced himself as working in hospitality.

The lobby bathroom is fantastic for families. It has a special toilet, mirror, and tap for people who bring a baby to pee or poop and wash their bottom instead of using a dirty diaper. Such a thoughtful idea for families who practice elimination communication! The location is unbeatable for seeing what Kyoto has to offer. Drivers can find many reasonably priced parking spots nearby. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the wall map gives guidance on local delights.