Dormy Inn Premium Kyoto Ekimae

In a city with more than its share of traditional guest houses and older mid-range options, the Dormy Inn is a smart modern pick. The dimly lit lobby has an interesting contemporary sculpture in the center with bench seating around it. The bright red reception desk stands out against the mostly black room, offering a clue as to the minimalistic modern style throughout the hotel. There's not much else in the lobby, so it's not really a place to hang out, and most guests will spend their time out exploring the city's temples and urban scene. The next-door convenience store can be accessed from the hotel lobby, and the hotel's indoor/outdoor onsen are popular with past guests. With its easy access to Kyoto Station and reasonable rates, this hotel attracts all sorts of travelers, from couples and families to groups, individuals, and business travelers, 

The hotel is on the main road that runs beside Kyoto Station, and guests can walk to the station in about three minutes. From there trains and metro lines can both be accessed. Kyoto Tower can also be reached in about three minutes on foot. A Lawson convenience store is right next door to the hotel. While the city's most famous shrines will require a taxi or the metro to reach, the Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganji Temples are a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel. The Gion Geisha District and the Yasaka Shrine are about 10 minutes away by car. It will take 25 to 40 minutes by car or public transit to reach Kinkakuji -- one of Kyoto's most famous temples -- and Daigoji is 30 to 40 minutes away by car or bus. Osaka International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from the hotel, or an hour and 45 minutes by public transportation. 

As is typical in Japan, rooms are compact, but they are well planned so that space is all economically used. The style is also refreshingly modern, if not exactly chic -- that's not always the case in central Kyoto's mid-range hotels. The color scheme is brown, with brown carpet, light brown walls, and brown furniture -- texturized wallpaper, subtly patterned carpets, and woven accent panels give everything a little depth, and shades of goldenrod in the soft furnishings help brighten things up (as do the fluffy white duvets on the beds). Standard features include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, mini-fridges, and safes. Flat-screen TVs sit atop desks. Bathrooms are separated from the sleeping area by a sliding door with a window and bamboo accents. They are tiny, but sparkling clean, and come with toiletries in large eco-friendly containers, hairdryers, slippers, and Japanese lounge wear. All rooms have showers, and some rooms also have a tub. 

Despite being a small, city-center hotel, the hotel has a number of features that do add a bit of value to a stay here. The on-site restaurant serves a breakfast buffet daily with mostly Japanese fare but some Western items as well. There is a fee for breakfast, but coffee is free. Although there is no other meal service, ramen noodles are served free each evening -- a nice bonus for the budget conscious. Each floor has a convenience corner with a microwave and vending machine, and there's a nearby convenience store for buying items to heat up for meals. Guests receive free access to the public bath and sauna -- or, onsen -- which have separate sections for males and females, as well as indoor and outdoor bathing areas. In the mornings, the outside baths are scented with fresh fruits. Keep in mind that tattoos are not allowed in the onsen. Massages are also available. A self-serve laundry room provides washers for free and dryers for a fee. A terrace on the ninth floor with benches is set aside for smokers. Two computers are set up at the business desk for guests to use. Wi-Fi is free in guest rooms and in the lobby.