Laon Inn Gion Nawate — Hotel in Kyoto

Stayed here at end of November for few nights, peak of the beautiful fall foliage season where red leaves are everywhere. Room rate roughly US$140/night.|Hotel is a chain with this location only couple streets away from the touristic Hanamikoji-dori where many trying to catch a glimpse of geishas.|And all around there are plenty of eateries, shops and Subway stations and bus stops to go everywhere are minutes away.|From Kyoto Station we chose taxi as it's only about 1200¥ (less than US$12) and with luggages that seems to be the best choice and a short 15 minutes ride as compared to longer crowded Subway ride that only save about half that amount.|If you are a walker, able to walk leisurely for an hour then most of the East side are within walking distance.||We walked to Yasaka Shrine, Todaiji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera and it's surrounding shopping streets, most of historic Gion district, Pontocho Alley across Kamo River and the big department stores along Kawaramachi Station.|Hotel room itself is smallish but efficient for a double room. No closet or safe, just hangars and hooks.||Comfy bed, AC, water kettle. Free WIFI.|Bathroom with shower/bath partitioned with a door so you need not worry about splashing water out into sink and toilet area.||If you have big luggages you will find limited space, at least in our room type.|Staff were friendly enough and spoke adéquate English. Though 5am front desk was empty and you summon the lone sleepy staff from inside with a bell.||On the way back to Osaka, using the Keihan Main line few minutes walk to Gion-Shijo station (there's an elevator from the street down to station) was painless. And depends on time of day it wasn't too crowded so luggages were...

I am giving this a 5 of 5 rating based on it being an excellent economy hotel in a fabulous location!|The things I loved: location, cleanliness, everything worked perfectly including the lift, and there’s a coin operated laundry on the first floor!|The location is amazing- easy walk from the train station, in gorgeous historic old Kyoto, within an easy walk to important shrines, easy walk to the main upscale shopping district, restaurants, shops, and to a performing arts theater one or two blocks away.|Things that a higher star hotel stayer might miss: there’s not much room in the room- we had one to a room, so not a big problem for us. There’s no closet, although there is a rack with hangers and a luggage stand. Room cleaning is per request rather than daily (there may a change); you don’t get daily water refills in your little refrigerator. |I was very pleased with the accommodations. The only staff that I saw was at the front desk. They were courteous and were able to check us in a little early. Noise was not an issue at this location and there was some type of 3-day festival going on in Gion while...

Stayed for a 4 nights with a party of 3. Getting here from Osaka was no trouble at all as we used the Keihan Main Line, we used the same train to go back to Osaka for a 1 day trip. Location is great as it's near a train station. A big river separates the Inn from the busy Kyoto area. The other side of the river has plenty of restaurants and shoppin. There is also a small take-out restaurant in the corner of the lot the Inn is on.

Room was decent but no view since window does not open much. Toilet stall reused water from the attached sink which was very eco-friendly, but water does splash often. Bathroom has a small bathtub and sink, not much space to put things. No safe, but offers a small tea table and 2 chairs along with a small shelf to put items on.

Inn does not offer Hand Free Travel and will redirect you to the nearest post office (note, that the closest JP Post does not open on weekends and you'll need to wheel it to the one in the...