Published date: November 5, 2024
A Recommended Hotel to Discover Kyoto's New Charm for Families and Couples!
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
We stayed at "Umekoji Potel KYOTO" through HafH!
The hotel is equipped with facilities (lounge, record room, etc.) that guests can freely use, making the stay itself enjoyable, and we were very satisfied.
【Lounge "Awai no Ma"】
At Umekoji Potel KYOTO, there is a lounge exclusively for guests called "Awai no Ma."
It's a community space that feels like a midpoint between your room and the outside.
In the lounge, you can enjoy free drinks, games, books, and records.
The drink area is open from 7 AM to 10 AM and from 3 PM to 10 PM, with alcohol available from 3 PM.
Besides bottle wine, there were popular draft beers, highballs, and lemon sours.
Snacks like nuts, smoked cheese, and small chocolates are also available to satisfy your cravings.
In the morning, you can select your own beans, grind them with a mill, and enjoy a proper coffee by measuring the right amount of water to brew it.
You can take drinks back to your room or enjoy them while reading a book or playing board games in the lounge... pure bliss.
【Kids Corner】
The kids' space at Umekoji Potel KYOTO features a wooden ball pit, toys, and a table tennis area.
From the large windows, you can see the tram running through Umekoji Park, exciting train lovers!
There's also a soft mat laid out for small children, along with picture books recommended for tiny tots.
【Rooftop Terrace】
The rooftop terrace is accessible to guests from 3 PM to midnight and from 4:30 AM to 11 AM.
The illuminated view of Kyoto Tower and the Toji five-story pagoda was fantastic!
Although there’s no rooftop bar, you can bring drinks from the drink area to feel the vibe.
【Large Public Bath "Pote-Yu"】
Umekoji Potel KYOTO has a large public bath "Pote-Yu" similar to a traditional bathhouse.
For a quieter experience, we recommend going after 8 PM or in the morning during guest-only hours.
There’s also a semi-open-air bath, creating a real onsen-like feeling! There’s a sauna and cold bath as well.
【Room】
As soon as you enter the room, there’s a bench on the left, which is convenient for placing luggage. To the right, there’s an open closet.
The non-disposable slippers are sturdy and comfortable to wear.
The main bedroom is quite spacious. It has a solid table and chairs, making it easy to eat meals in the room.
The room also has a balcony with refreshing views of the greenery of Umekoji Park! Choosing the garden side was the right decision.
There are chairs and a table, and in the morning I enjoyed reading and having tea here.
The bathroom is separate, and the bathtub is larger. While the hotel also has a large public bath, it was a relief to have a bathtub in the room since we arrived late at night.
The nightwear comes in a separate top and bottom type, which is comfortable and suitable for going to the Pote-Yu or lounge.
Amenities include an original milk soap set (with a foaming net), facial wash, and toothbrush available in the bathroom. Shampoo and other toiletries are provided in bottles by the Japanese brand JOIE CELU.
For other amenities, there’s a self-service style available at the amenity corner located in the hallway when heading to Pote-Yu from the guest rooms.
It was a new and comfortable hotel! It's recommended to book it for your first or last day of sightseeing in Kyoto, as it's close to Kyoto Station.
Experiences during the trip
We love visiting temples early in the morning, and this time we went to "Toji."
It's a pleasant 12-minute walk to Toji from the hotel, passing through Umekoji Park.
Toji, a World Heritage site, has been around for over 1,200 years.
While the gate opens from 5 AM to 5 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM), please note that the hall where the tickets are bought and the entrance to the main hall are open from 8 AM to 5 PM.
We arrived around 7 AM, so we enjoyed the main hall from a distance.
【Umekoji Park】
Adjacent to the hotel, Umekoji Park is lush with greenery, a park where locals like to stroll.
Inside the park, there are preserved Kyoto City trams, and you can ride the tram, making it a must-visit spot for train enthusiasts.
【Breakfast】
While the breakfast buffet at Umekoji Potel KYOTO is popular, we chose to visit the long-established local bakery chain "SIZUYA" that we've been curious about.
The Shizuya Shichijo store is about a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
The eat-in Shizuya Shichijo store has a rich morning menu, including the famous "Kyokarune" which can be warmed up for you.
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