Wanosato Kyoto Musee

The bathroom was incredible, and the little hot tub felt fabulous after a day of walking. The wood smelled lovely and made the whole room smell nice. The hotel itself was lovely, with friendly staff and tasty breakfast, and it was close to everything we needed. The nearest Family Mart, Lawson’s, and 7-Eleven are a couple of blocks away, so plan your trip there efficiently. The room was very small, and we barely fit our luggage, having to climb over it. The pillows were flat, too. I’d stay here again, but I’d bring less luggage.

The location made getting around Kyoto easy: major stations and connections were about 10 minutes away, Kiomizu around 15, and Nara, Osaka, Fushimi and Uji were all within reach. Nishiki market was a short walk across the river, too. I really didn’t want to leave. The room, mattress, pillow, amenities, cleanliness and private onsen-like bath were all 10/10, and the staff were kind and helpful. It’s a 3-star hotel that feels like 5. I can’t relate to complaints about coming back by 23/24h or the door being locked from midnight to 05:00. I hope those rules keep party people away from a place like this. Have a wild time in your own country, and be respectful of these lovely people and their incredible culture, which we can only hope to come close to.

From my fourth-floor window I could see Kyoto, including the mountain. The hotel is also close to the Kamo river path, where you can walk or jog, and Kiyomizu Dera temple is within walking distance. The staff were very friendly.

At $50 a night for three nights, I was thrilled with the spacious room, hinoki bath and free breakfast. The breakfast was a little odd at times, including Japanese curry one day, and there are quite a few rules: you leave your key at the desk and have to be back by midnight. Whether this feels like a five-star stay really depends on what you like. It did for me, but it won’t suit everyone.