Tamao — Hotel in Kyoto

I think this is Japanese hospitality at its finest - there is so much impeccable attention to detail and quality everywhere, and you can tell that the owner has excellent, discerning taste. Everything from the design, architecture, service, amenities, food and drinks were on point. The outstanding service truly made it feel like a home away from home.

Location - Super convenient, 2min walk from the nearest subway exit, an easy 20min stroll from Kyoto station and also about 20min towards the Shijo area. Located off the main road, its a standalone oasis and there’s barely any noise.

Design - I wanted to stay in somewhere more Japanese rather than cookie cutter hotel style, and Tamao offered a perfect balance of modern comfort with traditional Japanese elements. The units (yes, units, not rooms) are also very spacious.

Amenities - There’s everything you need. Try the giza cotton pyjamas (it’s probably softer than your own) and do not leave without trying the sauna. I highly encourage everyone to go for the maximum duration and slowly savour the entire sauna floor to yourself. Enjoy the pulsating rain shower (it’s a duo couple shower), steam, and sip on ginger ale with your favorite tunes in the background when you’re done (tip: connect to the bluetooth speaker). Huge TV in the room and the pillows are great, duo set with a firm one for support and a fluffy one for comfort. I also loved the main ‘salon’ area which served as a reception, a cafe/bar, a workspace, and a space for relaxation and conversation. It is also the space that you pass through each time when you return, with the staff ready to welcome you.

Food & drinks - I am still dreaming about the amazake yogurt served at breakfast. It looks like nothing out of the ordinary from photos, but was unlike any other yogurt I’ve eaten. I must also mention that the coffee was excellent. Aperitif is offered daily in the evenings, and I enjoyed a nice glass of sake.

Service - I was very well taken care of and this was consistent across all the staff I interacted with. Professional, knowledgeable, yet also friendly and personable. There’s a true effort to connect with their guests. Each unit also has a comprehensive visitor guide folio, including a list of curated recommendations for restaurants, cafes, places to visit around the area. The staff will be more than happy to give you personalised suggestions if you so require.

This is definitely a place that made my Kyoto trip more memorable. Thank you Tamao for such a lovely stay, and I...

This unique hotel was a fantastic place to stay in Kyoto. You check in at the main building and the individual two-story units are clustered around a small and beautifully landscaped courtyard. Ours had a huge two-person bathtub downstairs, and upstairs was a spacious bedroom and living space complete with a kitchenette and study area. I really liked how all the furnishings and surfaces are natural--wood, stone, leather, paper. It was also impressively quiet considering how close it is to gojo street.

In the main building there's a sauna you can rent, which we did. It has a deluxe double shower and open-roofed courtyard for cooling down. This was a new experience for me, and a lot of fun to try.

Breakfast consisted of yogurt, toast, soup, and small pastries, along with juice and coffee. It was simple and natural, and totally satisfying. The staff are friendly, fluent in English, and saw to our every need.

I normally don't gush like this, but this is a place I can recommend without...

TAMAO was the best hotel we stayed at over our 6 week trip through Europe and Japan.

The hotel is a fantastic combination of traditional and modern style with fantastic rooms and amenities. The service was second to none. The staff helped we so friendly and full of great recommendations for restaurants, sites and travel options around Kyoto. They even assisted making a booking at a Yakitori restaurant that only took booking over the phone, a few weeks before our arrival.

The rooms were extremely tidy, comfortable and relaxing. Great lighting, aircon, bed and bathroom facilities. The breakfast offering was delicious. Its hard to find a solid breakfast in Japan that doesn't weigh you down, but TAMAO's offering is perfection.

The location is only one subway stop away from Kyoto station, or a simple 5-7 minute taxi ($10) if you have heavy bags.

Would definitely come back and highly recommend to anyone wanting and affordable...