In
charming Gion district, within walking distance of many sights
Rooms in traditional
Japanese or Western style, or
a combination of both
Well-equipped
rooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, fridges, kettles
On-site
French restaurant
Traditional
Kyoto-style or Western breakfast available (for a fee)
Rooftop
terrace with city views
Rental
bicycles available
Free
Wi-Fi throughout
Western
rooms have bland decor
Japanese-style
bathrooms can be awkward for some guests
Breakfast
is charged extra
The best thing
about the 25-room Maifukan is its location in the center of romantic
and historic Gion, within walking distance of several tourist sights.
Though advertised as an upscale hotel, it's closer to mid-range decor here is bland and
outdated. The traditional Japanese-style guest rooms offer more charm
and atmosphere than the drab Western-style ones, but the plastic
prefab Japanese-style bathrooms are a disappointment. The on-site
French restaurant is a highlight, and the traditional Kyoto-style
breakfast (for a fee) gets enthusiastic reviews. Travelers not
fussy about location should compare rates at the upscale Westin Miyako Kyoto,
which features indoor and outdoor pools, several on-site restaurants, a
spa, gym, tennis courts, and a Japanese garden.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Tidy hotel popular with vacationing couples and families
Maifukan
is located on a charming lane of traditional wooden buildings,
occupying a three-story red brick corner building. Though
well-maintained and tidy, the lobby area is uninspiring. Little effort has been made to make the space more welcoming, and the decor
is dated, with a retro-style striped carpet, bulky wooden sofa, and
two large wooden swivel chairs making up the small seating area. A
mirror along one wall creates an impression that the space is bigger
than it actually is. Most guests staying
here are traveling as couples or families.
Location
Located in the middle of charming, historic Gion
Maifukan
is on a quiet lane leading to Yasaka Shrine, a five-minute walk
away. This historic area is known as the “geisha district” and is
made up of small streets lined with traditional wooden buildings,
Japanese restaurants, and tea houses. The hotel is within easy
walking distance of several tourist attractions, including Kiyomizu Temple
and Maruyama Park, as well as convenience stores, cafes, and coin-operated laundry facilities.- Five-minutewalk to Yasaka Shrine
Rooms
A variety of rooms in Japanese, Western, or mixed styles
Guests at Maifukan can choose between three different styles of guest rooms: Western,
Japanese, or a combination of both. Compared to the bland decor of
the Western-style rooms, the Japanese rooms and their screened doors
and windows, traditional tatami mats, and futon mattress beds offer
more character and a more unusual experience. During the day, these rooms can
be used as a living space. There are low tables and floor seating on legless chairs with seat backs. Built-in closets store the
futon mattresses that are laid out on the floor at night as bedding.
Some rooms have small balconies. The combination Japanese- and
Western-style rooms are actually suites made up of a bedroom with
beds, and a separate tatami room, making them ideal for families. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Other useful amenities include mini-fridges, electric kettles, free mineral water, and room slippers. All the
bathrooms are Japanese-style, which means they're fitted
with prefabricated plastic sinks and small plastic bathtubs with a shower nozzle next to the tub. Some guests find the Japanese-style
bathrooms awkward because there's no way to stand under the shower
nozzle, which is used only to rinse off.
Features
On-site French restaurant, buffet breakfast service, and rooftop terrace
The
most notable feature at Maifukan is the on-site restaurant, Mavo,
located on the second floor of the hotel. The buffet breakfast
(for a fee) is served here and guests can choose
between the traditional Kyoto-style breakfast (Obanzai) or a
Western-style breakfast. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and serves French cuisine and a large selection of wines. Other features
include a rooftop terrace with views over the rooftops, a
smoking room, drink vending machines, and a shop selling leather bags on the ground floor. Bicycle rentals and in-room massages are available as well. A computer corner with a
laptop for guest use is available in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
