26-1 Higashikujo Nishiiwamotocho, Minami, Japan | (361) 233-8042
Location within walking distance of Kyoto station
Clean, well-maintained rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers
Sleepwear and slippers provided to guests
Modern communal bath with lounge area
Modern, sleek decor throughout
Breakfast buffet with Japanese and Western fare served in a bright breakfast room
Lounge area with books available to borrow, and computers with printers for guests' use
Coin-operated laundry on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Standard Twin Rooms can be tiny
Fee for breakfast
No on-site restaurant, and not many places to eat in the immediate vicinity
Built in 2012, the 169-room Almont is a sleekly modern, mid-range property within a 10-minute walk of Kyoto rail station. Clean, well-maintained, and quiet, the Almont has a large communal bath, with separate spaces for men and women, and a lobby lounge with computers, printers, and books to borrow. Rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and sleepwear and slippers are provided -- a nice touch -- but be aware that Standard Twin Rooms can be tiny. While convenient to Kyoto station, the hotel is a 20-minute bus or subway ride to downtown Kyoto. Travelers seeking a location closer to the city center might want to consider the Hotel Monterey, which has larger rooms and a more luxurious vibe, but also higher rates.
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Scene
Modern, sleek, and minimalist atmosphere
The Almont is sleek and modern, with minimalist style. Small, cheerful flower arrangements, gold pillar lamps, and orange-toned accent walls add color to the gray-and-cream color scheme. Staff members are friendly and greet guests upon entering and leaving. Communal baths provide a nice place to soak after a long day of sightseeing -- the long, narrow pools are a modern take on the Japanese tradition. The hotel's small library, with its lounge area, has the look of an upscale bookstore. Couples and families make up most of the Almont's clientele, although solo and business travelers find their way here, too.
Location
In a quiet residential area within a 10-minute walk of Kyoto station
The Almont is located in a quiet, residential area, about a 10-minute walk to Kyoto station and its surrounding restaurants, and a six-minute walk to the nearest bus station. It's about a 20-minute trip by bus or subway to the city center. The Higashi Hongan-ji Temple is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and the Fushimi Inari Jinja shrine is about a 20-minute walk, or a 10-minute drive. Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo Castle are within a 15-minute drive. The Gion Geisha District is a 20- to 25-minute bus trip. And Osaka International Airport is within a 50-minute drive, or a 60-minute bus ride.
Rooms
Small, simple rooms with soothing decor, but some can feel cramped
Rooms are simple and well-maintained, decorated in soft gray and golden beige hues, with built-in light-wood furniture giving the space a utilitarian look. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea-and coffee-making facilities, with sleepwear and slippers provided, along with plenty of power outlets. Standard Twin Rooms can be tiny, and there's not much room to store luggage. Twin Deluxe Rooms are larger, and have sitting areas, and while still small, are more in the style of Western hotel rooms, with larger storage areas. Larger Triple Rooms are also available. Bathrooms are small with limited counter space, but they have gleaming modern fixtures, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and come with toiletries --- and heated toilet seats.
Features
Communal baths, buffet breakfast, and a small library with computers and printers
The stand-out feature here is the communal baths, where guests can take a long soak after a day of sightseeing. (There are separate areas for men and women, as well as a locker room and shower area with toiletries.) The hotel serves a buffet breakfast with Japanese and Western items, for an extra fee. There's also a coin-operated laundry. There's no on-site restaurant, but guests can get drinks and snacks from the vending machines. A small library area has a few computers and books available to borrow. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
