ASAI Kyoto Shijo — Hotel in Kyoto

I recently had the pleasure of staying at ASAI Kyoto Shijo, and I must say that the staff truly made my stay exceptional. From the moment I arrived, they were attentive and eager to ensure that I had a great experience. They went out of their way to help me with my bags and made sure that I had everything I needed.

However, I do want to note that the hotel's accessibility could be improved. Unfortunately, there is no elevator or ramp to get from the street into the lobby, which may pose a challenge for some guests. While the staff is happy to assist with bags upon arrival, guests are on their own when checking out, which may be a bit of a struggle for those with heavy luggage.

As is typical in Japan, the rooms at ASAI Kyoto Shijo are cozy and compact, but they are well-designed and comfortable. The hotel's minimalist aesthetic is both stylish and functional, making the most of the available space.

One thing to keep in mind is that the hotel does not have a dedicated workspace, which may be a drawback for business travelers or remote workers. However, I found that the lobby area was a great alternative, with comfortable seating and stable high-speed internet. The lobby's quiet and peaceful atmosphere made it an ideal spot to get some work done, and the staff was always happy to provide me with a cup of coffee or tea to fuel my productivity.

Overall, I would highly recommend ASAI Kyoto Shijo to anyone looking for a charming and comfortable place to stay in Kyoto. While it may not be perfect, the hotel's attentive staff and cozy atmosphere make up for any minor drawbacks. If you're looking for a great base to explore the city, ASAI Kyoto Shijo is definitely worth considering.

Rating Breakdown: Staff: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Comfort: 4/5 Amenities: 4/5 Accessibility: 3/5 Value: 4/5

Pros: Attentive and helpful staff Cozy and comfortable rooms Stable high-speed internet Charming lobby area with comfortable seating

Cons: No elevator or ramp to get from the street into the lobby No dedicated workspace Rooms are small, as is typical in Japan

Recommendation: ASAI Kyoto Shijo is a great option for travelers who are looking for a unique and intimate hotel experience in Kyoto. However, those with mobility issues or who require a dedicated work space may want to consider...

My brother and I booked what we thought would be a comfortable twin room. This was our fifth hotel in our Japan trip. All our previous hotels were amazing. Then came this.

What we actually got was… well, let’s just say calling it “compact” would be generous. The room was so small that our luggage felt like an unwelcome third guest. The two “beds” were separated by a mighty five centimeters — basically one strong sneeze away from being a double bed. No chance to move them apart either. So much for “two beds.”

Checking in was another adventure. Apparently, handing over your email address is mandatory — not optional. And sure enough, within hours, my inbox began receiving unsolicited love letters from the hotel. Pro tip: if you want your guests to like you, maybe don’t start by spamming them.

Then came the towel saga. On day one, we discovered there were no bath towels in the room. A call to reception was met with confusion, but eventually some were delivered. The next day, housekeeping apparently decided towels were a luxury we didn’t deserve, because they vanished again. When we called downstairs, the receptionist sounded annoyed: “Oh, you need towels again?” Yes, surprisingly, we still like to shower daily.

And don’t get me started on the restaurant. I ordered a chicken dish and received two — maybe three — tiny chicken scraps lost in a sea of sauce. It was less “meal” and more “protein scavenger hunt.” For the price, I expected at least a respectable portion. Instead, the quality was straight out of a hostel cafeteria… except here you pay hotel rates for the privilege.

In short, between the shoebox-sized room, forced email spam, towel rationing, and the tragic chicken mystery, this hotel managed to turn basic hospitality into an Olympic sport of disappointment. You’d honestly get the same quality (if not better) by booking a hostel — and at least then you’d have enough money left over to buy yourself a proper meal.

Unless your dream trip involves spooning your brother, begging for towels, dodging spam emails, and hunting for microscopic chicken bits, I’d strongly suggest...

Stay here for 4 nights. Our room locate in the basement floor. Luckily there weren’t much street voice. Easy and convenient check-in. First impression was nice, the staff bring us hot tea. Yet It’d be nice if there is a easier way to transport our luggage. I saw the mini elevator but it was out of service. So we had to carry our luggage down from stair.

The room: The room is a compact size, travel with 2 pieces of big luggage and 2 pieces of small luggage. Still can manage the space and living comfortably.

When open the door into the room, the sink locate in the right. I’m surprise that the usage space did not interrupt our experience staying here. Its some how functional to store stuff and let us refreshing ourselves before walk out the room.

The bed, can not flip around much but it was ok. The lighting system is easy to use. Not a fan of the pillow yet i had a good sleep.

I’m also not a fan of their pajamas, it was thick and itchy for me so i wear it for breakfast instead.

Room cleaning was nice. First day we’re placing do not cleaning sign in front the room. Not the next day the sign was missing and there was some cleaning. I don’t know how it went missing but at first we intend to stay private. However it wasn’t that bad. The cleaning was a high standard outcome. They keep giving 2 water bottles everyday.

The service: The staff was extremely accommodating and helpful through everything. They help us from calling the restaurant to helping us finding a travel options. They’re all polite and always smiling. Nice gesture.

Also love that we can store our luggages before check-in and after check-out.

To sum up, Asai come with great value and experience !...