Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Sanjo — Hotel in Kyoto

The second Prince Smart Inn in Kyoto lies on the edge of the bustling Kawaramachi district and walkable from the Gion attractions. Free breakfast is lovely, but the room design doesn't seem to have been properly test-run.

Swapped the Smile hotel for the months-old Prince Smart Inn because of a last-minute price drop. Location is wonderful, with many culinary establishments nearby and the Gion district is under half an hour walk away. You can easily spend a day or two sightseeing without taking a bus.

The closest subway station is 京都市役所前駅 (Exit 7 from the underground mall) and with plenty of coin lockers there, the lack of post-check out left luggage service wasn't a major concern.

Self-service check-in was a bliss for me, not so much for the many senior Japanese travelers who were drawn by the brand and price. Bottled water is available during check-in hours, though in hindsight I feel this tourist-friendly freebie is a little wasteful. On your way to the lift lobby, make the good use of the amenities bar because there's not even a cup in the room.

I agree with other Japanese reviewers that the room is designed with foreign tourists in mind. Instead of the typical all-in-one bath-sink-loo, you're greeted by the separate shower stall and toilet stall upon entry into the room opposite a tabletop with a basin. Between the hallway/vanity zone and the beds, there is a flimsy curtain that you can close to create a sense of privacy.

The design choice is confusing for such a generous space. Historically East Asian tourists make up the bulk of Kyoto visitors and because they are particularly fond of Twin rooms (family travel is a big thing), understandably most rooms at this new property have twin beds. But if you have this segment in mind, then you probably will go for a more enclosed, typical bathroom layout so the guest won't be undressing behind a thin curtain with the elderly parent watching TV on the other side.

The multi-head shower unit is fancy, but with the space available I might prefer a bath tub and an ordinary handheld shower. The basin is placed too high as they tried to fit a fridge and safe under the vanity unit. There is a lack of usable surface and storage space even for a solo guest - why not fix some shelves above the unit? The tall mirror is placed in a tight space that you need to lean against the door to see yourself.

The Amazon speaker wasn't useful for non-Japanese speaker. And because the wall shelf is too narrow, the speaker cannot sit flat and the audio quality is affected. There is no socket along the shelf, so mobile devices couldn't be charged there.

The square table with two chairs is a functional and effective layout. The LED lamp is too glaring, however, as you can look directly into the lighting components when seated.

The beds are comfy and while the down duvet is luxurious, it tends to slide to one side on the bed because of its volume and weight. Maybe a thinner/heavier duvet is more suitable on a narrower bed. The bare metal ceiling is chic, but I'm not so sure about staring at exposed pipe works from the bed. Light switches are thoughtfully located and laid out.

Window is partially frosted and blocked by façade features to respect privacy of neighbours (perhaps a way to obtain planning approval). In my room I could still check the weather in the morning, not sure if it's the same in other rooms.

Kettles available for rental ran out during my stay. The management needs to consider installing a hot water dispenser in the vending machine room or give everyone a kettle. State of washing-drying machine is available on TV.

The free breakfast is on the small side, but that coffee is exceptional, strong and aromatic.

Overall the stay is exceptional value for money, but I expect rates to climb as demand as overseas tourists return. The room design is a mixed bag. As Prince aggressively expands Smart Inn, the team has to more vigorously come to a blueprint design that gives more attention to the details and works better for...

I stayed here for a few nights when I went to Kyoto last June. I was torn between this and another branch, but I'm glad I chose this coz it's very close to a lot of things.||I got the double bed room coz it's the only one available when I booked, bed is very comfortable. The room is really nice and cleaned and maintained daily, with the shower separate from the toilet, which has a heated seat. There's ample space for your luggage. The TV can be used not just to watch movies/shows, but you can also use it to monitor if the laundry machine is in use.||The hotel has other amenities like microwave oven to heat up your food, and laundry/dryer. Tip on the laundry machine, better split your laundry in smaller batches coz the dryer takes a lot of time to dry out stuff. It's better if your clothes are those quick drying fabrics. Use the laundry late at night or early morning so you won't have to worry about busy hours. They have vending machines available too. Unfortunately, there's no water dispenser (oddly enough there's an ice dispenser). They have toiletries available for you to take at the ground floor.||Staff are nice and accommodating. I had my SIM delivered to the hotel and they received it on my behalf. They can assist with manual checking if the auto-checking machines don't work properly. They are able to communicate in english too.||Breakfast is very simple from the cafe at the ground floor, just egg and toast and drink. I usually add sausage for extra Yen just to make my breakfast a bit fuller.||The hotel is walking distance to the Tozai line, the Shinkogyoku shopping street and also the Nishiki Market. It's also close to the Gear Non Verbal theater (this one is a must do) and the Maikoya Tea Ceremony). It's a bit of a walk to the Hanku Kyoto, Karasuma and Keihan lines, maybe around 10-15 minutes. ||Honestly, I really recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to stay in Kyoto. I will definitely book here again when I go to Kyoto again...

Our journey through Japan was graced with a stay at the Prince Smart Inn Hotel, which impressively ranks as the second-best hotel we experienced. The most striking feature upon arrival was the unexpectedly large room, offering ample space for relaxation.

The hotel excels in providing comfort, especially with its modern amenities. The warm toilet seat was a pleasant surprise, particularly appreciated during the cooler days. Furthermore, the shower facilities were outstanding, ensuring a rejuvenating experience each time.

The complimentary breakfast was a delightful start to our mornings, simple yet delicious, keeping us energized for the day ahead. It’s important to note that the hotel does not offer luggage forwarding services, but this is conveniently offset by the presence of a Yamato Transport service right next to the hotel, ensuring any logistics needs are easily met.

Although the hotel is not directly next to bus or train stations, its proximity to numerous famed restaurants and easy access to popular attractions more than makes up for it. The welcoming atmosphere of the Prince Smart Inn makes it a perfect choice for those seeking comfort and convenience in their travels. Our experience was so enjoyable that we’re already planning our next visit. We highly recommend the Prince Smart Inn for anyone visiting the area and eagerly...