Shiki Suites - Kyoto Umekoji

The room itself was roomy and comfortable, but getting locked out after leaving my key inside turned into a stressful mess. I thought reception stayed open until 9 p.m., but it had closed around 7:30 or 8, and there were no clear directions for getting help after hours. A worker at a restaurant helped me call the staff. The person who answered said they were “closing up soon,” then refused to help and abruptly hung up. When I called again, they disconnected as soon as they recognized my voice. I only got assistance after the restaurant worker stepped in. I hope the host improves after-hours support so this doesn’t happen to someone else.

It was generally quiet, away from the busy streets, and the beds were comfortable. The amenities were great, and we especially appreciated the free laundry and Kyoto guide suggestions. We booked through Airbnb, and it felt like good value. The location is a bit far from Kyoto station, especially with luggage. We also noticed what might have been mold in the bathroom, on the shower curtain ceiling, which we thought could be from poor air circulation. Apart from those two issues, it’s a good-value place to stay in Kyoto.

The rooms are nice, clean, and quiet, with a small living room. Just keep in mind there’s no 24-hour reception, so you need to arrive before 22:00.

The staff were friendly and engaging, and everything was very clean. The bar on the ground floor has a good range of wine and craft beer, plus they sell killer hot sauce, which is pretty rare to find in Japan. Kyoto Station is about a 10-minute walk away, or just a few minutes by taxi.