APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi

I selected the hotel primarily because of its proximity to Kyoto Station, just a one-minute walk from the North Gate. My decision was based on a brief look at its appearance on Google Maps, as I didn't have much information about it beforehand. Upon arrival, I discovered that the hotel is relatively new, having been built in 2019. Although the room is compact, its modern and clean design appealed to me. One notable feature is the ability to store our two very large suitcases under the bed, a convenience not always available in older hotels.

Location: 9/10 - less than 5 min walk to Kyoto station - short walk to 7-Eleven etc. Value for money: 8/10 Staff: Friendly - organised my luggage transfer to the hotel in Tokyo Room facilities and cleanliness: - Small sized room, as expected - Tiny bathroom, as expected - Spotless Check-in / Check-out: - Noticed that it can get really busy around the check-out time. We left by 8:30, hence avoided the crowd. Would I recommend this place: Yes

The location of the APA hotels is always great. Near train stations and city centres. The staff are always helpful and super polite. Clean and well maintained facilities. Including a small but low-cost self-service laundry facility for 500+200 Yen wash and dry which is a life saving for backpackers travelling light. The room, although small for European standards, is very cosy and has everything you need including a USB (type A) socket to charge your mobile device. All the lights and air conditioning controls are an arms reach from the bed.

The location was spot on - just a 5-minute walk to the station and right in the heart of shops and restaurants, making it super convenient. The room had a lovely big king-size bed and was well-stocked with all the toiletries you could possibly need. Breakfast was traditional Japanese, but there were also options like croissants, yoghurt, and granola for those who prefer a more Western start to the day. There’s no bar or lunchtime service, but with so much nearby, it wasn’t an issue. Being a large chain hotel, it did feel a little less personal, and the lifts got quite busy at peak times, especially during breakfast. Overall, a very comfortable and convenient stay.

The location is amazing, just next to station and very close to many attractions. Room was clean and there were many amenities available. Although rooms are generally small, this one had space under bed so we could put luggages under bed and have more space in the room.