As much as we all love to romanticize Kyoto as that quintessentially traditional and quiet city of Japan, it really isn’t—not to the extent we often imagine, at least. Outside the major tourist areas, Kyoto is just as modern and vibrant as other Japanese cities, albeit, of course, a little smaller than Tokyo.
This time around, for our latest visit to Japan, we opted to stay right in the city center, where most of the modern city life happens. Having already experienced Kyoto’s more traditional side many times before, we decided to go for modern comfort and, above all, accessibility for this trip.
Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo
730 Ebisunocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
+81 75-353-5700
www.hotel-androoms.com
@hotel_androoms
STAY
Just a few minutes’ walk away from Kyoto Station, Don Quijote, and Yodobashi, Hotel Androoms Kyoto is one of those hotels that checks all the boxes for most tourists visiting Japan.
You see, from the outside, Hotel Androoms Kyoto has that signature minimalist, modern look, but with subtle traditional touches that we see all over Kyoto. After all, who wants to stay at a very simple, “not Japanese”-inspired hotel whenever you’re in Japan?
Stepping inside, however, brings you to a more traditional feel, with quintessentially narrow Japanese hallways leading up to the reception.
Upon checking in, we were greeted by the friendly staff, who were always ready to get us checked in. It was pretty standard for a major hotel in the city, which is exactly what you’d expect.
To the side, there’s an automated check-in counter, luggage storage, and a floor-to-ceiling painting that certainly stands out and adds a touch of tradition to the otherwise modern lobby.
On the other side, there is, however, a proper full-sized restaurant and café, open not only to checked-in guests but also to the general public. It’s a proper restaurant, not just your typical hotel breakfast area.
Here, we opted to have both our American and Japanese breakfasts the next day. It’s a very convenient option for checked-in guests if you want to save some time finding breakfast and start exploring early. Not to mention, it’s just really convenient to have everything right downstairs.
They also have bicycles for rent, which you can use to explore the city. Albeit, it was a bit hot and rainy when we arrived in Kyoto, so we didn’t get to take full advantage of them. Still, it’s a very welcome option.
But what stands out the most at Androoms Kyoto is the huge private onsen!
And it’s fully equipped too! Separate for both women and men, complete with changing rooms, cubicles, blow dryers, lockers, and everything you’d expect. So it’s definitely aimed at both tourists visiting Japan and locals looking for a proper place to relax.
The onsens are actually very spacious and well-maintained, especially for a city hotel.
There’s also a lounge right outside, complete with vending machines and, of course, laundry machines.
It’s definitely not something you see in most Japanese hotels in Kyoto at this price point, so it’s a very welcome feature.
ROOMS
Walking up to the rooms, the hallways are joined together by one huge skylight right smack in the middle, giving the hallways a very open, modern feeling instead of making them feel very claustrophobic like most city hotels.
I like the fact that they went above and beyond to decorate the empty space, and the skylight also plays with how the sun shines through during the day—or, in our case, how the rain filtered through.
For our stay, we opted for the Premier Twin Room, which accommodates up to two guests, but realistically, it feels like it can actually accommodate up to four if and when allowed. It’s really that spacious.
I really like how they put an effort into stylizing their Japanese windows, or mado, to add that traditional yet playful, artsy design. It definitely adds character and color to an otherwise very modern Japanese room.
I was also pleasantly surprised that my room came with a little nook where I could sit down and sort my stuff instead of doing it on the bed or at the table in front. I’d say it’s a nice space for me to keep all my unorganized things or luggage in one corner.
Not to mention, the separate toilet and bath are also very spacious and modern, and already equipped with pretty much everything you’ll ever need.
And if the onsen at the lobby is not enough, of course, there’s also still the bathtub option in the comfort of your own room.
And last but not least, I also appreciated that they actually gave me a pretty decent view of the outside, especially for a city hotel. Much appreciated!
OVERALL
Overall, I initially booked Androoms for its convenient access to Kyoto Station, nearby shopping, and central location. But what I really ended up liking the most was their modern and spacious onsen, which I think is a must-have for any foreign traveler—or even locals—traveling around Japan.
I feel like it’s a great space for travelers, especially families, to bond and simply relax in comfort after a day of walking thousands of steps around Japan.
It’s not rare by any means for a hotel in Japan to have an onsen, but having a particularly spacious and well-maintained one is definitely a feature that I would keep looking for whenever I’m in Japan.
It’s definitely the icing on top of the spacious, modern rooms, with the perfect location to match.
Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo
730 Ebisunocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
+81 75-353-5700
www.hotel-androoms.com
@hotel_androoms
Live an Awesome Life,
NICO of Team Our Awesome Planet