Hop Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya

The room was small, but two adults still had plenty of space to move around. The bathroom was big by small-hotel standards and really nice. Everything was spotlessly clean, and the room had a stylish feel, even USB power outlets. The staff were welcoming and helpful. Absolutely wonderful little hotel!

The room facilities were the highlight, and the price was reasonable. I didn’t have breakfast, though 500 Yen seems worth paying for it. It’s a new hotel near a large bus stop, handy for getting to lots of attractions, with three convenience stores nearby. I’d definitely book here again on my next visit to Kyoto :)

The only issue I had was with the refrigerator. It shuts off when you take the key card out of the slot that powers the room, which I only realized after putting leftover food inside. Otherwise, no complaints. They even have free washers and dryers. The location is central, the rooms are nice, the price is great, and the staff are friendly.

The customer service was utterly shocking, and I would never recommend this place for business or leisure. We asked for an extra pillow and were told no. They only agreed the next day, grudgingly, when we spoke to them face to face at the counter. I also asked to borrow an adapter while we still had five days left in our stay. They wanted a signed indemnity form and a deposit. I offered to pay a little later, but the man behind the counter snatched the adapter from my hand and demanded payment first. I thought that was unreasonable when we weren’t checking out soon. The rooms are tiny, with no cupboard space, so if you’re traveling around Japan with a suitcase, you can’t unpack. The location isn’t great either, and there isn’t a single English-language channel, not even CNN or BBC.