Villa Kyoto Saiin

Set in a quieter residential part of Kyoto, this is a cozy place to rest at a decent price for a private room, though there's not a lot going on nearby. It's a family home turned into a hostel or hotel, with a few private rooms and shared kitchen, bathroom, shower, and common area. I didn't meet the owner, but his dad was very kind and accommodating. English signs around the place and an English guide made things easy.

The owners were very nice and helped us a lot before we went home. The stay was pleasant and reasonably priced, though it felt more like an Airbnb than a hostel or hotel. The area wasn't very lively, but it was convenient to reach with plenty of nearby bus stops and trains. My main complaint is the futon. Comfort is subjective, but with my weak back, I'd have preferred a thicker one.

Chika san made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. She was cheerful, caring, and helpful, and showed us around the traditional house while explaining lots of details. We really enjoyed our stay, and the convenient facilities made it easy to cook in the kitchen almost every night. Honestly, it was more convenient than my own kitchen 😂 One rainy night, we had to leave in a hurry. The owner, yusuke san, lent us umbrellas, walked with us to the train station, and showed me the quickest way to Kyoto station. He treated us like friends or family, and we were very touched. He's humble and kind, and even gave us souvenirs as we left. We truly appreciate him. For us, the house and service deserve 6/5! We're so glad we found this place, Chika san, and yusuke san. Thank you so much, and we hope to visit again someday! 🙇🙇🙇

The hosts went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable, showed us around parts of the city, and even made takoyaki dinner with us. Our stay last summer was one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. The traditional Japanese-style house was converted from the host's childhood home into a ryokan-style place with three bedrooms. It was thoughtfully set up, with water bottles in the fridge, cup noodles available in the pantry for a small fee, a washing room, and a Japanese-style bath the host had recently built. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant, authentic stay in Kyoto.