Ryokan Ginkaku Kyoto

The cleanliness was a minor letdown; there were a few strands of hair on the tatami mats. However, the staff's response and service were exceptional. They always smiled and communicated slowly, even with my broken English and translation app. There was even a staff member who spoke Korean. I didn't try the public bath, but I added the private bath, and it was perfect for washing away travel fatigue. It would be great for families or couples. I also ordered breakfast but unfortunately, I was too tired on the third day of my trip and slept through it. The location is fantastic – just a 3-minute walk from Kyoto Station, and it's tucked away in an alley, making it very quiet. If you want to experience a ryokan with a touch of luxury, I highly recommend it.

Don't stay here! The entire 5th floor reeked of stinky feet. At first, I thought it was the housekeepers' shoes, but then I realized the whole floor and even the room smelled terrible… The public bath was a plus, but other facilities and service were just mediocre. The bed was positioned right under the A/C, blowing directly onto my face, and the duvet was too thick, making it impossible to get a good night's sleep. I paid 1200 RMB for a Saturday night as a solo traveler, which is absolutely not worth it. It was nowhere near as good as the Mitsui Garden I stayed at the night before for 600 RMB. In my opinion, this hotel is only worth less than 400 RMB. The foot odor was truly an eye-opening experience… And just to add, these Japanese-style tatami rooms are extremely uncomfortable; you're basically paying to suffer.

The hotel is quite new with good facilities. We stayed in a Japanese-style tatami room, which was spacious and clean. The staff came to lay out our futons every evening. There's a public bath on the basement level. The best part is its proximity to Kyoto Station, just a 5-minute walk, making it convenient to get anywhere.

The location is very convenient, just a 7-8 minute walk from the subway station. There are plenty of supermarkets and dining options nearby. The area has a wonderful Japanese ambiance. The room was spacious, and the tatami mats were incredibly comfortable to sleep on. Our kids especially loved it!

I booked one night purely to experience the Japanese style. It's quite a unique and interesting hotel. There's even a Japanese-style public bath on the basement floor. In the evenings, they provide turndown service, coming to prepare the futon in your room. However, there are no curtains in the room, so it gets just as bright indoors as it is outside the moment the sun comes up!