KIORI Hotel Takakura

First off, the cleanliness was subpar. There were hairs on the sheets and floor, making me seriously doubt if they even vacuumed. The duvet cover was open on both sides, easily exposing the duvet itself, which essentially means you're sharing with previous guests. The window was sealed and frosted glass to boot; I thought it might be smart glass, but I couldn't find any switches, so it felt just like a windowless room. The complimentary toiletries were extremely sparse. This was the first time in a week in Japan that I had to use my own skincare and face wash. Plus, for two people, they only provided one comb and one set of cotton pads and Q-tips, with no razor. The coffee was drip coffee, but there was no coffee machine, so you had to boil your own water. I couldn't find the switch for the bedside lamp, and the outlet was loose, so I ended up having to unplug it to turn off the light. The bathroom fan couldn't be turned off and ran all night, making a huge racket and making it cold. When I opened the closet, there was a strong smell of renovation. It seems they cut costs wherever possible on the hardware. This is the least Japanese-like hotel I've stayed in during my time in Japan. The front desk staff were all Indian, which makes me suspect it's either Indian-owned or they hire Indian staff to cut costs, leading to the cleanliness issues. However, the front desk staff were very friendly and enthusiastic. The location is excellent, but for a similar location, there are much better options at a comparable price. Overall, the value for money isn't there. I wouldn't recommend staying here if you have other choices.

1. About a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike subway station. 2. Super convenient! There's a 7-Eleven about 30 meters to the right when you exit the hotel, and a FamilyMart about 70 meters to the left. 3. The room was quite spacious; opening all four of our suitcases wasn't an issue. 4. They provide a Panasonic hairdryer – awesome! 5. Coffee is available all day, pastries in the morning, and instant noodles in the evening, all for free. 6. It's just a 10-minute walk to the lively main street, which has tons of small shops, trendy boutiques, and restaurants – endless browsing!

A very clean and pleasant hotel with a cool interior design. The smart use of space makes the room incredibly cozy, despite its compact size. In the mornings, they offer complimentary pastries and drinks in the lounge area, which is accessible 24/7—perfect for snacks. This is one of the few places I'd want to return to, rather than trying somewhere new.

I arrived at the hotel at 9 AM that morning, feeling quite tired from my overnight flight. The staff were very welcoming and kindly arranged an early check-in so I could rest in my room. The room itself was spacious and clean, and the location was super convenient. There's a Seven-Eleven downstairs and the station is just a 5-minute walk away. I'd definitely stay here again next time I visit Kyoto.