APA Hotel Kyoto Gojo Omiya — Hotel in Kyoto

Let's start with the check out.

The hotel’s regimented policies significantly impacted the tone of our stay, beginning with an inflexible 10:00 AM checkout. Guests are subjected to relentless reminders—both verbal and via a countdown timer displayed prominently on the in-room television—emphasizing the immovable deadline unless your willing to get charged with a fee per hour. Compounding this rigidity, the breakfast service, which nominally runs until 10:00 AM, pressures guests to arrive no later than 9:30. This impractical overlap created unnecessary stress, leaving little room for relaxation and undermining the leisurely pace one anticipates during a holiday. While such efficiency-driven protocols might align with the pragmatic needs of business travelers, they starkly conflict with the comfort and flexibility expected of a vacation-oriented stay. Ultimately, these operational choices transformed what should have been a rejuvenating getaway into a tightly managed, impersonal experience—a framework better suited to transient stays than to holidays seeking tranquility.

While this hotel is not entirely without merit, its few positives are overshadowed by a cascade of shortcomings that make it difficult to recommend. Let’s begin with the faint praise:

The hotel maintains a baseline level of cleanliness, which one would expect as a non-negotiable standard for any establishment, let alone one with a star rating. Clean sheets and sanitized surfaces are not a luxury—they are the bare minimum, and APA Gojo Omiya delivers here. However, this hardly justifies its rating, as hygiene is a fundamental obligation, not a distinguishing feature.

The hotel is somewhat well-connected to public transport, with a 30-minute commute to central Kyoto. While this might appeal to budget travelers seeking affordability over convenience, the distance from major attractions and the time spent commuting daily undermine any practical advantage.

Now, the other overwhelming negatives:

The experience soured immediately upon arrival. Staff struggled with basic English communication, leading to a frustrating check-in process. This lack of linguistic accommodation is perplexing for a city as internationally frequented as Kyoto.

The room was laughably small—even by Japan’s notoriously compact standards. It felt more like a storage closet than a living space, with barely enough room to open a suitcase. The advertised dimensions were misleading, amplifying the disappointment.

The window, a non-transparent panel offering zero natural light, created a claustrophobic atmosphere. The bed, narrower than a standard single, was unfit for anyone above average height. The “capsule” bathroom resembled a poorly designed spaceship module. Maneuvering in the shower required acrobatics, and the sink was barely functional.

The included breakfast was shockingly meager—a sad assortment of stale pastries, wilted salads, and lukewarm coffee. The voucher system added unnecessary stress: lose the slip, and you’re subjected to bureaucratic interrogation just to access the underwhelming spread. Worse, breakfast ends at 10:00 AM—the same time as checkout— so the guests are asked to rush by 9:30 AM latest or forfeit their meal. A late chechout is only available for an extra charge.

The WiFi was unreliable, dropping connections every 15 minutes. For a business-oriented chain, this is inexcusable. Housekeeping is nonexistent; instead, guests receive a plastic bag with towels and toiletries, expected to fend for themselves.

At this price point, competitors offer far better value.

Even by Kyoto’s competitive standards, this hotel fails to justify...

This was a nice hotel, but a little off the beaten path. The staff were very nice, and the hotel was clean and modern. The room was small, but good for the value. The layout was somewhat inconvenient because the TV was in a fixed position facing the door at the foot of the bed. To comfortably watch TV I had to prop the pillows against the wall and recline at the foot of the bed. This hotel seemed like it may be more suited for business travellers to the area, or large groups. The breakfast was really good, and I recommend getting it inclusive. I walked from Kyoto Station to the hotel, which took about 20-25 minutes. The closest subway lines were about 10-15 minutes away each. There are busses that run very close by, but I prefer riding the train. The Kyoto Aquarium is one of the nearest attractions that takes maybe 20 minutes to get to on foot. This place is ideal if you're traveling light. Use Black Cat to ship your luggage because the walk to Kyoto Station had a few long sets of stairs for crossing. I would likely stay elsewhere given another chance. Not because it's a bad hotel, but because of transportation...

We went here for 9 days on a business visit. I had emailed ahaed requesting a quiet room on a lower floor and received two confirmation emails from the hotel. I also joined the WBF club online.|When we arrived we were given a room on the 6th floor facing the street which was so noisy that I did not sleep all night. I complained very much the next morning and eventually a nice lady called 'Winnie' found us a nice quiet room on the second floor .|Most people on reception don't speak much English, the rooms don't have enough storage space, there is no English channel on the TV.|On the plus side it has one of the best breakfast choices we have ever encountered in Japan. There is also a laundry at teh site|If you are a member of the WBF club you can enjoy a free drink in the evening, however the hotel only owns 4 wine glasses:)|What we found really shocking is the fact that the emergency stairs are locked and the cleaners are storing all their equipment on the stairs, so if there were a fire people would a)not be able to access the stairs and b) would have to climb over hoovers...