Hotel Palms - Adults Only

The rooms are huge and amazing, and the staff were phenomenal, so accommodating. It's a little out of the way, but totally worth it. There was also some of the best ramen I've had in my life very close by. I would absolutely go back!

The rural setting gave us a break from the crowds, and the views over lake Biwa were amazing. We found the hotel while looking for an affordable place to stay as tourists visiting Kyoto. It's a bit under an hour from Kyoto Station, and the trip is worth it for the views and the experience. I've been to Japan before, and this is by far the best hotel I've stayed at in the country. You really do get luxury for a very affordable price, and I'll definitely come back. The room made us laugh with amazement when we walked in. We didn't book a suite, but it was huge by both Japanese and western standards, and felt like a honeymoon suite. There were three TVs, one in the living room, one by the bed in the same huge space, and one in the traditional bathroom above the royally big bath/jacuzzi. The bed was amazing, the Balinese-style decor carried through the room, and the usual amenities like soaps, shampoo, conditioner, and body milk were provided. I can't say whether every room is like this, but I assume the quality is similar. The lobby looked like a Balinese luxury resort, so over the top it has to be seen to be believed. To western eyes, it could feel David Lynchian. The staff were the kindest I've experienced at any hotel. Customer service standards in Japan are already high, but this was the best I've had here. English can be a bit difficult, but staff actively use Google translate, so communicating was no problem. I suspect this is a love hotel, where rooms can be rented by the hour. There's a mini vending machine with things like lens liquid and a condom. Please don't let that put you off. We were two men, and on arrival they immediately offered us an extra foldable bed if we wanted one, which we really appreciated. You can book through booking websites, and I suspect they're diversifying because the hotel is so huge. We didn't see anyone or anything shady, the room was as clean as it could be, and we had zero worries. Adults travelling together have no reason to skip it. Let go of any prejudices about love hotels, because it's a perfect hotel for tourism. It's rural, but there are a Lawson and a 7-11 within walking distance, both open 24/7 as they all are, and room service is available. Beside the 7-11 there's an amazing ramen restaurant that uses ordering tablets you can switch to English. It's open until 23:30, which is useful after a day of sightseeing. If you don't mind getting a bus and train into Kyoto, you won't be disappointed. You can also take a splendid 45-minute walk over the Biwako ohashi bridge to Katata station. If you rely on the bus, you'll need to leave Kyoto pretty early, around 21:30. Or, if you don't mind taking a taxi from the station's taxi stop, you can sightsee at ease and catch the last train from Kyoto to Katata at 23:46. The ride takes less than 10 minutes, so it's very affordable. It's a true, true vibe, and a taste of authentic, more rural Japan despite the Bali inspired hotel. If you're a tourist on the somewhat more adventurous side, I suggest giving it a shot.

The room was more spacious than I expected, and it seemed to have been cleaned with care. Everything felt very clean, and the bed and bathroom were comfortable and easy to use. I stayed in Room A during the service time and honestly enjoyed it more than I expected. The lobby, exterior, and interior all had a Hawaiian and modern look, so the place felt quite different from a typical love hotel. The hotel says it offers an abroad-like experience while staying in Japan, and I could feel that idea in the atmosphere. The price seemed a little higher than nearby hotels, but the quality and feel made me want to return. I heard some of the higher-class rooms have open-air baths and bedrock baths, which sound like an even more luxurious stay. I'd definitely come again if I get the chance.

The breakfast was delicious and cost 200 yen, so I'd like to stay again. The room and bathroom were spacious and clean, and I was really surprised by how many rental items they had.