AB Hotel Kyoto Shijo Horikawa — Hotel in Kyoto

AB Hotel Kyoto Shijo Horikawa. On November 9, 2025, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., I experienced extremely unpleasant and rude behavior from the front desk staff. (Indication of racially foreigner guest) As a guest, I requested to speak with the manager on duty, but was informed that there would be no manager available for two days. The staff member also refused to provide their name and removed their name tag after I had seen it labeled “Tagaguchi.”

I have visited Japan multiple times and have stayed in various hotels across the country. While I do not have excessive expectations from a three-star hotel, I do expect basic standards of service, politeness, and respect. This incident clearly exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior and was deeply disappointing.

I formally request that you review the CCTV footage from November 9, 2025 (between 10:00–11:00 a.m.) at the front desk and investigate the conduct of the staff involved.

Please provide an official response from the responsible manager or representative. This email has also been sent to AB Hotel’s head office and to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) for review and follow-up.

I look forward to your prompt and...

The location of the hotel was pretty decent for what I was looking for and the price rather cheap when booking online. Unfortunately, the service from the male staff I experienced as very poor. They gave me a lower grade room than I initially booked and were not open to talk about it due to language barrier, so I complained online as I paid for a lot expensive room and got some money back. Also I experienced that local guest were preferred when needing something even though I was waiting in line before them. So overall poor experience with the male staff, only a female that worked there tried to support and be helpful. Also the room I slept in was not isolated very well and I could hear outside noise from louder neighbors. My room was not too clean. There were stains all over the walls. The bathroom was very tiny, but I was okay with that. The hotel offers luggage sending service, however provided me several time wrong information (regarding price and payment method), which was very inconvenient when I had to sent the luggage and leave soon to catch my train. Due to the poor service, I would not choose this...

Location is maybe central but very inconvenient so far from great. Applies to every hotel in the area. You have to take bus basically everywhere. And buses are slow and extremely crowded in Kyoto. You definitely want to avoid them. Inaru and Nara are with transfer at main station. Being close to Gion sounds great only on paper. Plus you’ll likely arrive at main station and leave from it. All in all I recommend to stay around main JR station in Kyoto. You will get everywhere without any transfers. To Inaru and Arashiyama with JR so if you have pass that’s plus. And after arrival you can go straight to hotel and it’s slightly cheaper too.

About AB hotel. Probably worst hotel we stayed in during our japan trip. Comparing with Koko, APA chains. Bit dated. Window facing building with loud air vent. No complimentary water. Room size probably bigger than APA. No USB plugs - you need adapter if you are from eu.

On the other side breakfast is delicious. Staff very kind and SPA probably bonus. Bed comfortable. Spa nice. Bus right in front of hotel. Restaurants and...