Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya

This hotel is highly regarded for its superb location, situated just steps away from major public transportation hubs like Omiya and Shijo Omiya stations, offering unparalleled access to Kyoto's key attractions and beyond. Guests consistently praise the friendly and helpful staff who often speak excellent English, contributing significantly to a positive stay. While the hotel generally maintains good cleanliness, a recurring theme in reviews is the exceptionally small room size, which many guests found challenging, especially with luggage. Conversely, the in-room entertainment options are limited, with no English TV channels or streaming services available, and the Wi-Fi connectivity is frequently reported as poor. This makes the hotel an ideal fit for sightseers and solo travelers prioritizing convenience and staff service over spacious accommodations or in-room entertainment. To enhance your experience, consider utilizing the hotel's comfortable common lounge area for more space and be prepared with your own mobile data for reliable internet access.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a large common lounge area on the ground floor, which guests find to be a valuable space for relaxation, eating takeout, or escaping the small rooms. This area provides free filtered water and hot water, along with a coffee machine (available for a small fee). A microwave is also present for guest use. The convenience of an on-site laundry room is appreciated by many, allowing guests to wash and dry clothes during their stay. However, some guests note that the laundry facilities are old-school, often busy with long queues due to a limited number of machines, and could benefit from better maintenance. Additionally, the hotel provides a thoughtful selection of free amenities in the lobby, such as razors, toothbrushes, wash cloths, and cotton swabs, ensuring guests have essential toiletries. Loaner umbrellas are also available, a practical touch for unexpected rain.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness is generally positive, with many rooms described as well-maintained and hygienic, though some isolated reports mention dust on walls, dirty toilets, or uncleaned areas under beds. A few guests noted a mold smell in bathrooms, particularly where the bathtub met the wall. The beds are largely considered comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep, although a minority found them firm or reported thin pillows leading to discomfort. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning that functions well, and guests appreciate the provision of hotel-provided pajamas, slippers, bottled water, and tea. A consistent highlight is the excellent water pressure in the showers. However, the room size is a significant and frequent concern, with many finding it extremely small, leaving barely any space for luggage or movement. Noise levels vary, with street-facing rooms often experiencing significant street noise from traffic and sirens, while others found their rooms quiet. Some windows offer no natural light or are blurred, impacting the ambiance.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, offering exceptional accessibility to Kyoto's public transportation network. It is situated just steps away from Omiya Station and Shijo Omiya Station, providing direct access to Hankyu and Randen train lines, making travel to popular destinations like Arashiyama, Kyoto Station, Osaka, and the Gion district incredibly convenient. Numerous bus stops are also within a very short walking distance, expanding options for exploring the city, including Nishiki Market and Nijo Castle. The surrounding neighborhood is well-equipped with amenities, featuring multiple 7-Eleven and Family Mart convenience stores, a large supermarket, and a wide array of restaurants and eateries, ensuring guests have easy access to food and daily necessities. While the hotel does not offer dedicated on-site parking, guests note that external parking options are available nearby, though they can be expensive.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel receive widespread acclaim from guests, consistently described as friendly, helpful, attentive, and polite. Many reviewers specifically highlight the staff's proficiency in English, which greatly assists international travelers with inquiries and requests. The check-in process is generally noted as quick and seamless, with staff often accommodating early luggage drop-offs. Guests appreciate the staff's willingness to go above and beyond, offering assistance with various needs such as luggage handling, providing loaner umbrellas, and helping with local recommendations or reservations. While the overall service is highly praised, a few guests experienced minor issues with housekeeping, such as cleaning cloths being left behind or rooms not being cleaned daily unless specifically requested, which is a hotel policy. Despite these minor points, the dedication of the team to providing a positive guest experience is a recurring and strong theme.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several practical aspects to enhance their stay. The in-room entertainment system is quite basic, offering only local Japanese channels with no English options and no connectivity for streaming services like YouTube or Netflix, which many international travelers found limiting. The Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the hotel is a frequent point of concern, often described as slow, spotty, or unreliable, making it challenging for planning or entertainment. While a laundry room is available, it can be very busy due to a limited number of machines, so planning laundry times is advisable. The hotel implements a room cleaning policy where full cleaning is typically done every three to four days, though fresh towels are provided daily. Guests are also reminded about the Kyoto lodging tax, which is paid upon check-in. Some rooms, particularly those facing the street or with obscured windows, may experience significant noise or lack natural light.