Shiori Ann — Hotel in Kyoto

I stayed in Kyoto for 3 nights. From the map, I noticed that Shiorian seem to be on a straight direction near the main road and within walking distance from Kyoto Station. As such, I booked the guesthouse via agoda.com. It was S$70/- a night for a double bed shared bathroom. ||||It took me about 20 mins walk from the station to the guesthouse. I stopped by a police post to make enquiry with the counter policeman to seek the right direction to the guesthouse. ||||I realized there is a bus stop right outside the lane leading to the guesthouse but the website did not indicate the buses that ply near the guesthouse. Rightfully for the convenience of the guests, the public bus no. should also be stated on the web page. But I would also say that for first timers, it is not going to help as you will get lost as to which bus stop to alight. The guesthouse is not visible from the main road.||||The counter `boy' appeared efficient in his work but did not appear to be a customer oriented and helpful staff. He seem to be very busy and strict but not very caring to our queries. There was another Taiwanese female staff who approached us and spoke in Mandarin to solve much of our queries. She directed us where we could have our dinner and where we could find the nearest supermarket. She appeared more service oriented than the counter boy. But by 10 pm, both staff will report off duty and the counter unmanned.||||We had our room at the second floor. There is no lift and we had to climb up and down to the common area at the ground floor to have our tea or coffee that was provided free for guests. There is a smoking room at the ground floor for guests to smoke. The bathrooms and toilets are on both floors. The toilets and bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. ||||Outside the guesthouse and within 10 mins walk to the road junction, you can find some eatery chain. I particularly like the food served at Yoshinoya chain eatery. Further down near a supermarket, we came across a Tourist Information Centre while having our stroll after our dinner. I managed to buy the Kyoto City Bus unlimited bus pass at 500 yen per day at this information counter. It saved me much time walking to the Kyoto station to purchase the unlimited pass card. Someone told me that I could purchase from the bus driver but I am not sure if I could communicate well to let him understand me as I am not conversant in Japanese. ||||I moved to another guesthouse on the third day - Kyoto Guest Inn Garaku. Guest Inn Garaku is located about 2 bus stops away from Shiorian. After staying in both guesthouses and if you asked me to compare both guesthouse, I would strongly recommend Guest Inn Garaku. It is clean, modern and new as it was only opened for business in Jun 2017. To me, it appears ten times better than Shiorian. I am not advertising for any of them.||||The rental for a double bed room with shared bathroom at Guest Inn Garaku is only S$48/- per night whereas at Shiorian for the same type of bedroom, it cost me S$70/-. ||The counter staff at Guest Inn Garaku was 24 hrs available and will attend to you promptly. ||||Why stay at an expensive old guesthouse when a newer and modern guesthouse...

I stayed in Kyoto for 3 nights. From the map, I noticed that Shiorian seem to be on a straight direction near the main road and within walking distance from Kyoto Station. As such, I booked the guesthouse via agoda.com. It was S$70/- a night for a double bed shared bathroom. ||||It took me about 20 mins walk from the station to the guesthouse. I stopped by a police post to make enquiry with the counter policeman to seek the right direction to the guesthouse. ||||I realized there is a bus stop right outside the lane leading to the guesthouse but the website did not indicate the buses that ply near the guesthouse. Rightfully for the convenience of the guests, the public bus no. should also be stated on the web page. But I would also say that for first timers, it is not going to help as you will get lost as to which bus stop to alight. The guesthouse is not visible from the main road.||||The counter `boy' appeared efficient in his work but did not appear to be a customer oriented and helpful staff. He seem to be very busy and strict but not very caring to our queries. There was another Taiwanese female staff who approached us and spoke in Mandarin to solve much of our queries. She directed us where we could have our dinner and where we could find the nearest supermarket. She appeared more service oriented than the counter boy. But by 10 pm, both staff will report off duty and the counter unmanned.||||We had our room at the second floor. There is no lift and we had to climb up and down to the common area at the ground floor to have our tea or coffee that was provided free for guests. There is a smoking room at the ground floor for guests to smoke. The bathrooms and toilets are on both floors. The toilets and bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. ||||Outside the guesthouse and within 10 mins walk to the road junction, you can find some eatery chain. I particularly like the food served at Yoshinoya chain eatery. Further down near a supermarket, we came across a Tourist Information Centre while having our stroll after our dinner. I managed to buy the Kyoto City Bus unlimited bus pass at 500 yen per day at this information counter. It saved me much time walking to the Kyoto station to purchase the unlimited pass card. Someone told me that I could purchase from the bus driver but I am not sure if I could communicate well to let him understand me as I am not conversant in Japanese. ||||I moved to another guesthouse on the third day - Kyoto Guest Inn Garaku. Guest Inn Garaku is located about 2 bus stops away from Shiorian. After staying in both guesthouses and if you asked me to compare both guesthouse, I would strongly recommend Guest Inn Garaku. It is clean, modern and new as it was only opened for business in Jun 2017. To me, it appears ten times better than Shiorian. I am not advertising for any of them.||||The rental for a double bed room with shared bathroom at Guest Inn Garaku is only S$48/- per night whereas at Shiorian for the same type of bedroom, it cost me S$70/-. ||The counter staff at Guest Inn Garaku was 24 hrs available and will attend to you promptly. ||||Why stay at an expensive old guesthouse when a newer and modern guesthouse...

Location: The hostel was easy to find and set close to Gion. You can arrive at Gojo station, take exit 6, turn left and then right, and you have arrived. There is also a 7-eleven located close by and you can easily take bus 5 from the main street to Gion area. As there is only one subway line in Kyoto, this is located only two stops from Gion Shinjo. Hostel: The hostel itself was very clean (most are in Japan). They have two floors and each have a bathroom. I was on the second floor in the female dorm room. The beds have curtains for privacy and were super comfortable, with a nice cosy duvet. It was really quiet during the night so I had a goodnight sleep. As its bit chilly in Kyoto at this time of the year, the hostel was kept really warm. Lights are switched off at 10pm and if you arrive late, there is a special code you get in. As there is no staff after 10pm, if you have a late check-in I would recommended that you let them know in advance. I have made the mistake of not informing late arrival due to delayed flight previously when I visited Japan, and was left unattended to in the middle of the night. So best to let them know about your arrival time. Also I communicated with the property through email prior to my arrival and they were very quick in replying. Staff: The staff were very helpful and spoke good English. I really liked the Nori curtains and the Japanese feel to the hostel. It felt rather comfortable, clean and cosy. I will definitely stay here again. ||||I was not sure if they had a free coffee/water facility. I wasn't made aware of this and as I was there just one night, I didn't really bother to ask as well. ||||Tip: If you arrive after 10pm, let them know before as there will be no one for check-in and you need a special pin to enter as the door is locked. Also no space for luggage to be stored or lockers if you have suitcases and staying...