We have been here for a week now and would like to share info if you are looking for a place to stay in Osaka and Kyoto soon.
Context: We are 3 ladies and not very picky BUT we are quite the clean freaks.
OSAKA
1) Waqoo Shitaderamachi
• Location is great, it's near Tsutenkaku and around Shitadera are a lot of historic sites
• You can leave your luggage!
• We loved the yukata
• Free toiletries!
• We loved the room (spacious, clean and impressive tatami)
• We LOVED the breakfast
Note: It's a Buddhism hotel so please get ready for vegan food and EXTRA polite staff.
2) Hotel Cordia
• Location is great, it's near Higobashi Station and Yodoyabashi is walking distance
• You can leave your luggage!
• We loved the yukata here too
• Free toiletries!
• The room was okay, it's your usual business hotel room (no tatami). Lobby was cute.
• Our stay did not include breakfast but there's a Lawson right in front
KYOTO
1) Kamogawakan Ryokan
• GREAT location, just a few steps to Sanjo Station. Only one bullet point for this place. We were so excited to experience staying in a ryokan in Kyoto. Little did we know, we were in for a literal surprise. The ryokan is quite old and that's great but we did not expect it will be super outdated, dirty and creepy!!! There's DUST everywhere and it reeked like an old refrigerator (when not in use anymore). Apparently there's a lot of bad reviews not visible to non Japanese audience and a lot of discussions about paranormal stuff in the ryokan. The breakfast was so bad too 🙁 If you like some horror thrill, maybe this is the place for you. I fell sick by night time because of all the dust we were inhaling. I swear we saw black mold too 🙁
I really hope they realize how nice their location is and it's such a big property. They should try to redeem its beauty and glory, adapt it to modern hospitality settings.
Anyway now to
2) CAFETEL Hostel for Ladies
• WE LOVED EVERYTHING
• The location 1000/10, there is literally the Sanjo Keihan as its basement
• Yukata can be rented for 200 and it's lovely
• Rooms are sooo nice and clean!!! It almost feels like CapitalM rooms
• SECURITY is top notch. Everything can be accessed via key card
• It's exclusive for ladies; not just selected floors
• No breakfast but there is a cafe + easily accessible cafes, kombinis and restaurants
• Toilets and showers are shared but wow, they are super complete, private and cute!!! Shower pressure is amazing. There's a separate space to hair-dry and etc. There's coin laundry too
I wish there are more places like this around. Did not expect this level of amenities and cleanliness. And yes like any other place, there is a downside. Or should I say 2:
• The eki (station) is right below so there will be times you'll feel the train's movement
• You might keep extending your stay because of how nice it is and such a VALUE for money
That's all <3 Hope you enjoy Kansai!
by Loza_Sed