Kyoto Universal Hotel Karasuma

Everything. Laundry is good and affordable, food was spectacular, and its in a convenient spot for public transport.

Located about 10-15 min. walk from Kyoto central station and 5 min. away from a Kujo station in a quiet residential area. The name of the hotel is in Japanese only - it could be challenging to find without GPS. The hotel has quite an interesting design inside with an open sky space right in the middle - I was able to witness the rain falling right outside my door (I wonder how it might look in winter with the snow falling inside the hotel:) This hotel is very busy with many people checking in and out, but the line was moving fast and the staff was nice. You have to leave the key when going out. The room was spacious by Japanese standards, clean and had everything I needed. This hotel was the only hotel in Japan I stayed in that did not have an iron or umbrellas to borrow. Not hotel fault, but I did not like my room location - right behind the elevators - I could hear the elevators bell sound from early morning to late at night. Included breakfast and dinner was a nice touch, but breakfast food was the same every day and look more like dinner food to me - spaghetti with meatballs, fish, potatoes, rice and miso soup. I ended up bringing my own pastries to have it with my coffee in the morning.

not much changes in menu for supper

You are asked to pay in full before seeeing the room. After we paid and saw the room and we were very disappointed. We did not stay at this hotel; we cancelled the staying in the next hour . The room was small, cramped and windows with frosted glass ( no view) were locked. Paid the cancellation fee for one day and got a refund for the rest

They didn't make the room everyday

Very old building.corridors are windy.yes strange design.corridors are like street outside rather inside. Very poor for that much money i paid. Great ladies at dinner service only.rest 1/10. Everything except ladies in kitchen service

The amenties were amazing, it included everything. The distance from the station was a little far but doable

Great value for money (breakfast and dinner included), a walkable distance from the Kyoto main station. Less than 5 min walk from the nearest subway station. Good for short term stay in Kyoto. Bathroom and toilet are combined, there is a high step to watch out when entering a bathroom. The room carpet is quite dated. Floor carpet and bed mattress covers are not quite clean (there were a few visible stains)

Everything was awesome . Staff and housekeeping were very polite . Very affordable. The breakfast and dinner and ofuro service was excellent but I wish they give extra rice for dinner also add more option of chicken not just fish. The onsen was very clean and tidy. The duvet was little dirty with bloods and other stains they should cover whole duvet not just a sheet. They use sofa bed with no extra foam so it was very difficult and uncomfortable to sleep on it and I can’t sleep properly.

I was really suffering from the sewer smell in the bathroom. And the blanket was so tangled that I couldn't sleep properly.

not good not good

I live in Japan, and this hotel on the whole reminds me of a typical "mansion" (apartment) in Japan. Walk through the halls, and anyone familiar with Japan will know what I mean. Rather than "hotel-ish", it's more "mansion-ish". The room was small, but clean and comfortable enough. Actually, it somehow felt bigger than it was. I liked the layout and the sofa. On the other hand, I'm very used to rooms in Japan, but both the bed and the bathroom area in this room seemed even smaller than usual. Room amenities were minimal, but good enough. I didn't use the public bath, so can't comment. Dinner and breakfast were both included in the price, so I took advantage. Both were nothing to brag about. Don't base your choice of a hotel on the "dinner and breakfast included". My Japanese is fine, so I don't need English from the staff, but having said that, the English support here ... check in, written information ... was plenty sufficient. I live in Osaka, and have stayed in Kyoto numerous times. This time around I knew I wouldn't be spending much time in my hotel room, so as a place to lay my head at night, I was satisfied. As a "Kyoto Experience", I would recommend you look for somewhere else. If you're a couple, I would recommend you look for somewhere else. (This place is about as un-romantic as it gets!) If you're on a tight budget, or like me, a single person just looking for a decent place to sleep for a night, this place was fine. Actually, for the price I paid, a little better than fine, and no complaints. Location-wise, about a five minute walk from the nearest subway station, so fairly convenient. About a fifteen minute walk to Kyoto station. Nothing in particular.

The hotel is conveniently located about 15 minutes walk from Kyoto train station

I lost the keys to my room, for which I had to pay a fine. Some hours later, they found my lost keys, and sent me an email that since they found the keys, they could give me back the money I paid for the fine. They were helpful and honest.

Lots of rooms and spacious Location is a little far from the main center

Good location. Beds confortable. Not so expensive. You can leave your luggage there if you arrive early. The food was always the same. The staff did not undestand English so much so it was hard to comunicate.

Free breakfast and dinner. There is an onsen and the single rooms have sofa included. Walkable distance from Kyoto station if the weather is fine. You need to pay for extra towels and there is no hair conditioner. I can hear the noise from other rooms. The twin room is basically the single room with sofa bed that they lay down.

The staff was very friendly and also allowed us to leave our bags there after check-out. When I pointed that the room was prepared for only one person, they quickly gave us another room. The breakfast and lunch were nice, with local cuisine. A bit far from city center, but there is a metro station about 10 minutes walked from there.

Very small rooms

Free breakfast and simple dinner