Ala Hotel Kyōto — Hotel in Kyoto

Ala Hotel Kyōto: A Horrendously Disappointing Stay

I rarely write negative reviews, but my recent experience at Ala Hotel Kyōto was so abysmal that I feel compelled to share this infuriating encounter, hoping to serve as a warning to other travelers.

The nightmare began the moment we arrived at the hotel. We drove to the hotel entrance, and as is normal, briefly parking to unload luggage during the check-in process should have been a non - issue. However, the hotel staff categorically refused to allow us to park at the entrance to drop off our luggage. Their attitude was rigid and unyielding, with no reasonable explanation or alternative solutions offered. With our family, including the elderly and children, and a large number of luggage, we were left in a state of utter disarray. Upon inquiry, we found that a Japanese - born staff member was in charge of the coordination. His brusque demeanor and cold expression sent a chill down our spines upon our arrival.

The check-in process was plagued with even more problems. On the online booking website, it was clearly stated that the hotel's service languages included Chinese and English, which was a significant factor in our choice of this hotel. But when communicating with the front - desk staff, we encountered insurmountable obstacles. The Japanese staff member was completely uncooperative and kept insisting that we speak Japanese. When we indicated that we didn't speak Japanese and hoped to communicate in English or Chinese, he actually demanded that we use translation software to communicate with him. This was simply absurd! Given that the hotel advertised multilingual services, creating such barriers for customers was unacceptable. Fortunately, other front-desk staff who could speak Mandarin and English appeared later, allowing us to barely complete the check - in process. But this experience had already soured our mood significantly.

Upon entering the room, we discovered that the large room we had booked had been replaced with a small one. We had specifically chosen the large room for its spaciousness and comfort to ensure a more pleasant stay. When we confronted the front desk about this, they only offered breakfast vouchers as compensation. However, we didn't need breakfast in the first place; what we needed was the room we had originally reserved. Such a compensation method was nothing more than a perfunctory attempt to brush us off.

During our stay, the hotel's service quality did not improve at all. The daily room cleaning was constantly overlooked. We had to make multiple phone calls to remind them before someone would come to tidy up briefly. When checking out, in the face of a series of issues we raised, the staff simply offered repeated apologies without any substantive solutions or compensation. This lack of sincerity completely eroded any remaining goodwill we had towards the hotel.

What was even more unacceptable was the hygienic condition of the room. When we entered the room, the floor was littered with traces left by the previous guests. There were discarded underwear, socks, as well as biscuit crumbs and pieces of fried chicken. The sight of this made us feel nauseous. Such poor hygiene was seriously inconsistent with the hotel's promotion and the price we paid. We paid the corresponding fee, expecting a clean and comfortable living environment, not a dirty and messy room like this.

In conclusion, Ala Hotel Kyōto disappointed us in every aspect. From the parking service and language communication barriers, to the wrong room allocation, lack of service, and the disgusting hygiene conditions, nothing met the acceptable standards. I strongly advise everyone to think twice before choosing this hotel. Don't let your trip be marred by such a terrible accommodation experience. I hope the hotel management can take these issues seriously and effectively improve the service quality and hygiene conditions. Otherwise, this kind of business approach will only lead to more guests leaving...

Nestled in the heart of Kyoto station, Ala Hotel Kyoto offers a serene oasis amidst the bustling cityscape, with easy access to myriad tourist attractions and culinary delights.Situated along a vibrant street adorned with delectable beef restaurants and adjacent to a 24-hour drug store boasting competitive prices on cosmetics and medications, the hotel's location promises both convenience and immersion in local culture.A relatively new establishment, Ala Hotel Kyoto boasts one of the finest outdoor onsens I've encountered on my travels. Perched on the 10th floor, the onsen is accompanied by a tranquil zen lounge, ideal for unwinding post-soak or awaiting laundry completion. Though laundry services are complimentary, guests should note that detergent is not provided.While complimentary snacks were notably absent, the expansive onsen facilities and serene ambiance compensated for the oversight. However, it's worth mentioning that the onsen's operating hours are relatively limited, closing at 11 pm nightly, with only two hair dryers available.Upon entering the room, I was pleasantly surprised by its spaciousness—ample enough to accommodate three luggage pieces comfortably. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the bathtub affording breathtaking views of the hotel's surroundings, perfect for soaking in the beauty of sunrise or sunset.Complete with access to YouTube and Netflix, the room provided ample entertainment options. For a delightful treat, indulge in soft-serve ice cream from the cafe adjacent to the hotel—an ideal conclusion to a day of exploration.The bed exuded comfort, while the addition of a sofa near the entrance provided a convenient spot to unwind without soiling the bedding with outdoor attire.Overall, while Ala Hotel Kyoto may lack certain amenities, its spacious accommodations, strategic location, and reasonable pricing make it a standout choice for travelers seeking tranquility and convenience in...

Unfortunately the stay in this hotel was less pleasant than expected. At the front desk most of the staff surprisingly did not speak a proper English and had to use a translator - in a hotel with a lot of international guests a bit unexpected. The room was small but nice and well cleaned every day. What I didn’t like at all is the fact that there was only a very small window in between of toilet and bathroom which could not be opened. Therefore the room was quite dark and almost without daylight. Neither in the bathroom nor in the toilet have been any heating which was kind if „refreshing“ in the morning… The restaurant resembled a canteen: loud and uncomfortable. At the first day the tables looked like a mess - even with the water system failure we would have appreciated to find a clean table instead of looking to that horror scenario. (That was the worst situation ever in a hotel in my life!) The dishes does not fit to a hotel of that category: Not saucer for the cups and canteen plates. The meals could have been warmer. My positive highlight was the omelet chef - she deserves a star! Does Japanese people care about environment? The two only and every day jam (bitter-orange and strawberry) came in a plastic pot - why not in a self-service-glass? The hotel own an onsen which is nice. It would be a great service to offer towels there instead of asking guest to bring their own from the room. My résumé: The Ala Hotel Kyōto has been the most expensive one by far on our three weeks trip through Japan and I must say the value for money is not at all my partner and I have been expecting. The hotel is much too expensive for what is offered - even during cherry blossom! I am really sad about that experience because the rest of our trip through Japan...