Guest House Nanohana — Hotel in Kyoto

Go through the door to the left of the restaurant, follow the corridor and go through the door at the end. The reception is on the right. During my stay, the guesthouse was staffed by two girls on working holiday visas; and at least with one of them, communication in either English or Japanese needed some patience. The communal area was small, cramp and cluttered, I suppose one could call it cosy and homely. The kitchen space was literally like a kiddies toy kitchen in a corner, there wasn't much space to do anything. Apparently, the water from the kitchen sink isn't potable, so they bring water from a different source and keep them in plastic bottles for guests. There's also a hot water dispenser, paper cups, and tea and coffee provided. The dorm I stayed in is right next to the communal area, so if you want an early night, I suggest bringing earplugs, or buy them at the reception. During my stay, two girls were chatting away in the dorms into the late evening without considering the other guests that they shared the room with. Otherwise, my bed was comfy, the room was clean, and lockers are provided. Because the bathroom area is communal, it can get a little unclean. If you want a towel, you can rent one for a fee, but they provide toothbrushes for free. On top of the dorm fee of 4000yen, guests also have to pay the additional 200yen accommodation tax. Location-wise, it's great, right in the center of all the shops and eateries. The guesthouse though, just wasn't for me, too claustrophobic and chaotic; the water situation and the noise are basic issues that I'd rather not have to deal...

Noise from other people was a problem for me.

Location is unbeatable as many reviewers have said. Obviously the majority of women who stay here have really liked it. I think if you are an extrovert who likes sharing space and is ok listening to others people's noise this property - at the price - is an excellent option.

The single Japanese room is VERY small - not much larger than the single (comfortable) futon. It did have 2 small high windows which open - allowing a nice breeze. The size didn't really concern me.

As an introvert who loves peace and quiet - I did not enjoy staying here, as I could hear through the walls and corridor other people's conversations and movements - including people using the communal wash-basins which did not have a door to shut where people clean their teeth and dry their hair.

I'm not complaining about the property - it is what it is - and suits many people. But I'm letting others know that, if they are more like me & noise sensitive, it is likely to be better to pay a bit extra and have a budget hotel single room with...

I can see how the owners are trying hard to make the current situation work, but it doesn't work. The walls are paper thin. They mean well but it is never a good idea to introduce a living room in a bedroom and indeed the large space equipped my extremely selfish roommates with a large stage to simply go crazy. Unfortunately sub-human roommates happen, and it is the owners' responsibility to provide beddings that don't rustle so much and bedframes that don't echo when banged on. No earplugs are good enough, I spent two nights here and slept twenty minutes in total. The receptionists are really nice, and as a woman who is constantly demanded by white people to spend my youth trying to learn and speak their various local languages, I was touched to see the receptionists making the compromise for once and learning Chinese for me. Like Mark Twain said, life is too short to learn German, let alone...