Cartahotel Kyotobettei — Hotel in Kyoto

This has been my least enjoyed hotel throughout my stay in Japan currently, and here’s why.

When arriving to check in, a particular staff member was busy eating her lunch and came out with her mouth half full of food to check us in (don’t mind the fact staff need lunch, but talking to us with a mouth full of food was a bit off putting)

Then, my partner and I noticed very quickly she didn’t have the nicest attitude when we said “We’re here to check in” and she very sharply said “Yeah - I know that”. She made a few other comments that rubbed off the wrong way. I will say that the other staff throughout the 3 nights we stayed were lovely and welcoming.

Condition of the room. Noticed a red stain in the carpet, weird liquid like stains along the wall where the aircon is, and I noticed there was a couple of stains on my partners bed as we first entered the supposedly clean room.

When the covers of the pillow and doona would kind of slide off - you can very much see how scarily yellow everything is. It’s definitely time to get new bedding arranged. We even checked the cupboard for more bedding and they were all yellow. My partner and I were grossed out by this.

The design of the room is absolutely dismal. Towel racks inside the showers, Awkward back headboard that wouldn’t really allow you to sit up in bed. Doesn’t help when each bed only has one pillow and you can’t even prop yourself up.

The reason why this particular hotel has higher ratings is predominantly because of the free ¥500 Starbucks card offer when you write a good review.

The only positive things about this stay were: The aircon, the shower, toilet, and the location. Otherwise everything else was underwhelming.

I don’t like writing negative reviews, but considering all the issues we experienced - I felt the need to put it out there to...

I’m just finishing up night 5 at Cartahotel Kyotobettei and I’ve had a wonderful stay! This modern, no-frills hotel is perfect for travellers looking for an attractive, comfortable, clean, safe, inexpensive place to spend the night in an ideal location.

Though my king room is a bit small, it has a surprisingly large bathroom, with a short but deep soaker tub,, separate shower area and some cute freebies like toothbrushes and folding hairbrushes. There’s a safe, TV, excellent AC and mini fridge, and the lighting and charging setup is thoughtful, with a power outlet with 2 USB plugs and a dimmer at the headboard. The bed is on the hard side but I slept well! There’s no closet but wall hooks with hangers that were enough for me travelling alone. One downside to my ground floor room is that while there’s a window, it gives onto something which provides no natural light at all. I imagine this may account for the very low rate I paid.

The room was immaculately clean and the decor is modern and minimalist. Check-in after hours was a breeze and the front desk staff has been friendly and helpful.

The location is fantastic, a 5 minute walk from 2 subway stations including one that goes to Kyoto Station. So much is in walking distance and there are nice pubs and bakeries within a few blocks. Family Mart is very close by.

This hotel offers incredible value for the money! In North American and European cities we couldn’t dream of paying so little for so much in the heart of the city, but this is Japan where many things are surprisingly inexpensive. If you don’t need pampering but just a comfortable stay in a nice space, I highly recommend Cartahotel...

Exceptional Stay with Outstanding Service

My wife and I spent 8 days and 7 nights at Carta Hotel Kyoto Bettei, and it was truly a wonderful experience.

The room was spacious, with a separate bathroom and toilet, which added to the comfort.

We especially appreciated the common lounge in the lobby, where filtered hot and cold water, a coffee machine, tea, and a microwave were available—perfect for enjoying meals from nearby 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or the local supermarket, all just a short walk away.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to subway stations and several shopping hubs, making it an ideal base for exploring Kyoto, Osaka and the surrounding areas.

What truly made our stay memorable was the exceptional service from the two exceptional staff, Miss Chou and Ms Chikako. Their kindness, attention to detail, and genuine care made us feel incredibly welcomed. From offering umbrellas on rainy days to sharing local tips and ensuring our comfort throughout the stay, they went above and beyond. Their warm smiles and thoughtful gestures added a personal touch that we’ll never forget. Thank you, Chou and Chikako, for making our Kyoto trip so special. We hope to see you again on...