Kyoto Boutique Hotel

Restaurants all around the property were the one bright spot. The room we got was a real letdown, though I can’t speak for the others. It was much smaller than it looked in the photos, with a sticky, dirty-feeling floor, a leaky air conditioner, and a toilet door that was hard to close. The toilet glass was patched with cellophane tape, and the water heater barely worked. We asked to move, but were told every room was occupied. Anyone with claustrophobia may find the tight space especially uncomfortable. I’d expected better after seeing the pictures and the nice-looking exterior, so the actual stay was disappointing. I’m not trying to be negative, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Management should inspect rooms properly before letting guests stay. It was a very poor experience.

The room itself was satisfactory, but the checkout was easily my worst experience in Johor. The receptionist, a large Malay woman, accused me of staining the linen and tried to keep my deposit. I told her the stains were already there on the first day. I hadn’t complained because I thought slight colour marks might be normal in a boutique hotel. I also skipped housekeeping that first day because I had my laptop and tablet with me. She kept insisting I had caused the stains. I even offered to let them look through my luggage to show I had no clothes that colour, but she ignored me and carried on with her own tasks while I waited almost 30 minutes. When I asked for someone with authority, she said her manager was outstation, “no one will care,” and told me to leave a review or complain through third-party booking apps. I don’t understand why I was treated that way. Eventually she contacted the head of housekeeping, and after I spoke with the supervisor, they agreed to return my deposit. Even then, the receptionist said I’d be blacklisted. I don’t know why, and by then I let it go. I won’t book here again. I wasn’t trying to start a conflict, but her handling of it was extremely unprofessional. Management should provide proper training, because she doesn’t seem suited to front desk work.

That bed was extra comfortable, like it was made in heaven. The lobby’s glass floor looks down onto a working fish tank with live fish and a waterfall, and there’s a fridge with different sodas at RM2.50 a can. The room was modern, but not great: scratched or peeling wallpaper, weak water pressure, and bugs everywhere. How does that even happen? There are self-service things and hotel basics too, including a kettle, iron, and water refiller. It was okay, just not the best.

My son stays at Kyoto Hotel regularly for work trips to Johor and has always been a loyal guest who appreciates the place. He’s patient and rarely complains, so I hope management takes his latest feedback seriously. This time he was given a room where both the toilet and floor were noticeably mouldy. Please make sure regular guests like him get clean, well-maintained rooms. They’re the heart of the business, and I trust the team will keep up the standards that made Kyoto Hotel a preferred choice. Regards.