KABIN Kyoto — Hotel in Kyoto

My partner and I have now moved to the last leg of our trip in Japan. However, now that we are in a new hotel in a different city, the hurt is setting in and we dearly miss our time relaxing and unwinding at Kabin Kyoto.

Checking In: The Kabin fleet of hotels is somewhat new and very tech savvy and convenient for modern travelers. They have their own Kabin app on the app store. You download it, create an account, and you can check in via the app as well by scanning your passport. The app will assign you a room number when you check in, and the pin # to unlock your hotel room door will be provided later at around 3 PM. This basically eliminates the need for you to do anything at the front desk when you arrive. We still spoke to the front desk anyway because we delivered our luggage to Kabin. I have never had such an efficient and automated check in experience in my life. It was refreshing!

Staff and Atmosphere: The staff were wonderful, young, and from all creeds and backgrounds. Their diversity was their strength and the staff could speak English, Japanese, and multitude of other languages extremely well. Kabin has a very cozy atmosphere and vibe. I remember feeling intimidated by the other Japanese hotel staff wearing suits as well as the awkward language barrier. But at Kabin, they all had a very laid back nature and English fluency. I relaxed very quickly around the staff and felt comfortable asking them questions. There was one staff with light brown hair and cute strawberry dress who I did not catch her name but she was so kind, observant, and I had a very thoughtful conversation with her! Overall, their kindness, helpfulness and warmth exceeded all the Japanese hotels we stayed at on our trip.

The Room: Much larger than most. Room was minimalist, elegant, clean, and fell in line with that cozy yet sleek feeling Kabin strives for. Do not disturb sign was provided which was nice so you are not forced to vacate your room for cleaning if you did not want it. One potential downside is that there appears to be not much soundproofing. We sometimes could hear our neighbors talking in the nearby room and in the mornings we could sometimes hear housecleaning chatting. This did not turn into a big problem for us. But I can imagine that some may get unlucky with noisy neighbors when staying here so just a heads up. However, a big plus for me was that communal amenities for each floor were kept on a cart in front of the elevator. Guests can pick up towels, tea, coffee, etc on your way back to your room if you needed it with no need to interact with the front desk and no wasteful amenity bags that you often see dropped off in front of your room at other Japanese hotels.

Overall: I have recommended Kabin to my relatives and I highly recommend staying at any of the Kabin hotels if you are a visiting Japan! They will make you feel at home while also allowing you to maintain your individuality and autonomy. I truly felt like I got to experience living like a local in this cozy, safe little bubble in a quiet suburban area just outside the busy city center in Kyoto. The efficient automation of check in was amazing and many hotels should look to Kabin as a more modern example for the future of hospitality. We will make every effort to stay at Kabin hotels when we visit Japan in the future. We hope they spread their chain to more locations! Thank you so...

I want to share my experience at this hotel, as it has been very disappointing. If you're considering booking here, please think carefully.

Upon arrival, I immediately felt like I had left Japan and entered a gloomy place. There were no Japanese staff members, which added to this feeling. Unfortunately, I didn’t read the reviews from previous guests before making my reservation, and I wish I had. Many of them mentioned similar problems, and it seems the hotel continues to follow these poor practices.

When I checked into my room, I found that the window blocked all sunlight, and I couldn’t see outside. This important detail was not mentioned when I booked through Booking.com. The staff offered to move us to another room, but that would require changing rooms every day or two, which is impractical, especially when traveling with a child.

Throughout my stay, I faced numerous issues. There was no safe in the room, no coffee provided, and no phone to call the front desk. If you need anything, you must walk down to reception, which is very inconvenient. They didn't provide bottled water, just a pitcher to fill from the tap, which was disappointing.

For hot drinks, only metal cups are available—no glass cups in sight. If you want a hot drink, you have to wait a long time for it to cool down. The washing machines on each floor are another inconvenience, as you may have to wait a long time to do laundry due to the number of guests.

The cleaning policy is also problematic. When I asked why they don't clean rooms daily, I was told it’s for eco-friendliness. However, they could be eco-friendly in many other ways, like using energy-efficient appliances. It was unclear when I booked that if you stay for eight days, your room would only be cleaned twice.

They charged me for a late checkout without informing me in person, which I found inappropriate. I had to download an app for them to charge me whenever they wanted. Additionally, they deducted a fee for cleaning the room that they refused to clean the day before, meaning I effectively paid for cleaning for the next guest.

On the last day of my stay, when we returned to our room, it was still dirty, even though it was supposed to be our cleaning day. We had to walk to reception ourselves because there was no phone in the room.

The management seems very focused on making money while claiming to be eco-friendly, which feels disingenuous.

Despite having a rating of 4.5, I find it hard to understand how this hotel received such a high score. For the same price, there are much better hotels that offer daily cleaning. This place feels more like a hostel with no proper service.

As I left two days ago, I also had to carry my luggage down to the lobby myself, which was quite disappointing.

Overall, my stay has been frustrating, and I would not recommend this hotel. There are many other options that will provide a more comfortable experience. Save yourself the trouble and...

An Unforgettable Stay!

I recently had the pleasure of staying here during my vacation, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish.

From the moment I stepped into the hotel's elegant lobby, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality by the friendly staff. Check-in was swift and hassle-free, and they even accommodated my request for a room with a view of the city, which made my stay all the more special.

The room itself was immaculate, tastefully decorated, and exceptionally comfortable. The attention to detail in terms of cleanliness and amenities was remarkable. I especially appreciated the plush bedding that ensured a good night's sleep after a long day of exploring the city.

One of the highlights of my stay was the dining experience at the hotel's restaurant. The menu offered a diverse range of culinary delights, and each dish was a work of art. I had the pleasure of trying some local specialties, expertly prepared by the talented chefs. The restaurant's ambiance was also perfect for a romantic dinner or a casual meal with friends.

Throughout my stay, the hotel staff went above and beyond to make me feel at home. They were always ready to assist with any inquiries or requests, whether it was arranging transportation, providing local recommendations, or ensuring that my stay was as comfortable as possible.

The location of Kabin Kyoto is also worth mentioning. It's conveniently situated in the heart of [destination], making it easy to explore nearby attractions, shops, and restaurants. I found it incredibly convenient to access public transportation from the hotel as well.

In summary, my stay was nothing short of exceptional. It combined luxurious comfort with top-notch service, making it the perfect choice for travelers looking for a memorable and hassle-free experience. I can't wait to return and create more unforgettable memories at this outstanding hotel.

I highly recommend to anyone visiting Kyoto. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Thank you to the entire staff for making my stay...