Kyoto Station Luxury: Unbelievable APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Deal!

APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Kyoto Japan

Kyoto Station Luxury: Unbelievable APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Deal!

Kyoto Station Luxury: APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita - Can This Deal Really Be Believed?! (Spoiler: Yes, But…)

Okay, buckle up, buttercups. I've just emerged from the concrete jungle that is Kyoto Station, slightly disoriented but mostly buzzing, thanks to my recent stay at the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita. The headline screams "Unbelievable Deal!" and, well, let's just say the marketing folks weren't entirely lying. But before we dive in, let's be real – finding perfect accommodation in Japan is a myth. This review is gonna be messy, honest, opinionated, and full of my inner monologue. You’ve been warned!

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• Keywords: APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita, Kyoto Station Hotel, Kyoto Accommodation, Japan Hotel Review, Budget Kyoto Hotel, Accessible Hotel Kyoto, Free Wi-Fi Kyoto, Kyoto Hotel with Spa, Kyoto Hotel with Breakfast, Kyoto Hotel Review, Travel to Kyoto, Japan Travel Tips, Hotel in Japan
• Focus: Review of APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita, including accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, and overall experience.

(The Arrival & First Impressions: A Whirlwind of Concrete and… Convenience?)

First things first: Accessibility. I’m happy to report that, unlike some older Japanese hotels, the APA Hotel is pretty darn good. Wheelchair accessibility is there, although I didn't personally need it, it's obvious. The elevators are plentiful (thank goodness!), and the lobby is wide open. They even had a few Facilities for disabled guests, which, from my observations, included accessible rooms. Kudos, APA! Finding it is easy, right across from the station. But be warned, the walk to the entrance from the Kyoto Station might be… lengthy. Seriously, you could get lost in the station's labyrinthine underbelly (speaking from experience, post-sake-induced navigation).

The lobby itself is… well, it’s an APA Hotel lobby. Efficient. Polished. A tad… impersonal. Think clean lines, lots of chrome, and a (slightly overwhelming) self-check-in system. Speaking of which – Contactless check-in/out is a lifesaver, especially after a long flight. I was practically drooling after seeing the Front desk [24-hour], and the Concierge was surprisingly helpful, despite my limited Japanese. They even helped me figure out the bus route to the Golden Pavilion, even though I'm fairly certain I mangled the pronunciation.

(The Room: Microscopic Minimalism and… Wait, Is That a Bathing Suit Dryer?!)

Okay, let's talk about the rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, obviously. Alarm clock – check. Bathroom phone – for emergency calls or pretending you're a secret agent. Bathtub – yes! Surprisingly big, actually. Blackout curtains, essential for battling jet lag. Free bottled water (always a win). Free Wi-Fi? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Absolutely. And the bed… the Extra long bed was a major plus for my, ahem, vertically gifted frame.

The room itself is tiny. Seriously, it's like living in a well-appointed capsule. But hey, that's Japanese hotel life, right? Efficiency is the name of the game. It had the basics: a desk, a few hangers, a TV with (mostly) Japanese channels, and a surprisingly comfortable bed. The Mirror was strategically placed to make the room feel bigger (clever!). They even had a Refrigerator, which was perfect for keeping my ramune cold.

Now, the quirky part. The first thing that caught my eye was the additional toilet. That's right, in a room this small, they somehow crammed in a second little toilet… I have no idea why, but it is there. And then… the Ironing facilities? No. But there's something even better: a bathing suit dryer. Seriously. Who needs a bathing suit dryer when you’re in Kyoto, I have no idea. I was so perplexed, I just stood and stared at it, the only thing I could fathom was that it maybe it dries your gym clothes?

Here's the thing: I got a room with Non-smoking rooms. Thank goodness. The space was clean, although smelling slightly of the cleaning products. And the cleanliness was excellent. Everything was pristine. Daily housekeeping kept everything tidy.

(Dining & Drinking: Fueling the Kyoto Adventure)

Now for the important stuff. Breakfast [buffet] is the way to go at APA. The Asian breakfast was pretty amazing! The Western breakfast was standard. Lots of options, but again: a little… efficient. I can’t complain, it provided plenty of fuel for a day of temples and shrines.

• Restaurants: there's a few. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was good, some of the Desserts in restaurant were too. The Soup in restaurant was the best.
• Dining, drinking, and snacking: I went for the Happy hour, and made it to the Poolside bar once.
• Room service [24-hour]: Not bad, if you get hungry at 2 AM.

(The Relaxing Bits: Spa, Sauna &… Foot Baths?!)

Oh, yes. The Spa/sauna facilities. Score! They had a Pool with view (a bit small, but hey, it’s a hotel pool!), a Sauna (steamy and glorious), and a Steamroom (perfect for sweating out that sake). I also treated myself to a Massage one afternoon, which was pure bliss after a day of temple-hopping. Seriously, I may have dozed off mid-rubdown. Don’t judge.

I didn't try the Foot bath, but it looked tempting.

(Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic-Era Peace of Mind)

This is where APA really shines. In our current (and ongoing) reality, safety is paramount. The hotel clearly takes this seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Individually-wrapped food options for breakfast. They also had Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Staff trained in safety protocol. I felt completely safe. Shared stationery removed was a plus.

They’ve thought of everything.

(Things To Do & Getting Around: Basecamp for Exploration)

The hotel is situated so close to Kyoto Station, which is great for Airport transfer by the Haruka Express train. From there, you can access pretty much everything. Taxi service are available, and the bus routes are easy to figure out once you get the hang of it.

(The Small Stuff: Bits and Bobs)

• Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: Decent and reliable. Great.
• Luggage storage: Convenient for early arrivals or late departures.
• Smoking area: Because some people still…
• Smoking area: A smoking area.

(The Verdict: Is it a Deal? Absolutely. Is it Perfect? Nope, But…)

Would I stay at the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita again? Yes.

The Pros:

• Location, location, location! Seriously, being right near Kyoto Station is a massive win.
• Cleanliness and safety: Top-notch.
• Spa facilities: A welcome oasis after a day of sightseeing.
• Free Wi-Fi: Essential.
• Accessibility: Impressively good for this kind of hotel.
• Price: The "unbelievable deal" part is legit.

The Cons:

• Rooms are small: Embrace the minimalist lifestyle.
• Lobby feels a little impersonal: But hey, it's functional.
• Breakfast, while plentiful, is a bit… efficient.

Overall: This is a fantastic option for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize convenience and cleanliness. It's not luxurious, but it's comfortable, safe, and perfectly positioned for exploring the wonders of Kyoto. Just don't expect a sprawling palace. Embrace the efficient Japanese lifestyle – and maybe bring your own bathrobe. You know, just in case.

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APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Kyoto Japan

Okay, buckle up Buttercup. This isn't your polished travel brochure, this is me navigating Kyoto from the concrete jungle of the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita. Prepare for some serious stream-of-consciousness, caffeine-fueled rambling, and a whole lot of "oops!"

APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita: The Starting Point and the Soul-Crushing Tiny Room

• Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread

  • 14:00 - Check-in. APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita. Oh, the APA. The name sounds vaguely futuristic, like a robot from a low-budget sci-fi flick. Their rooms? Microscopic. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I could touch all four walls simultaneously if I, you know, wanted to. (I don't.) The bed? A glorified plank. But hey, at least it's clean-ish. And the toilet is high-tech. Seriously, the bidet is like a tiny, water-wielding ninja.
    • Opinion: The size of the room is probably the only negative about my trip, everything else seems perfect so far!
  • 15:00 - The First Japanese Vending Machine Encounter. Okay, these things are magical. I've never seen so many options, and the sheer variety is overwhelming. I ended up with a lukewarm green tea and a questionable-looking "energy drink" that tasted like sadness and regret. Lesson learned: translate before you drink.
  • 16:00 - Kyoto Station - The Labyrinth. This place is HUGE. Like, seriously, a whole city inside a station. I got gloriously lost for about an hour, wandering through shops, restaurants, and what felt like a million identical staircases. Found a delicious udon place though, so not a complete loss. The soup was actually too hot. My tongue is still recovering.
  • 18:00 - Dinner. Kyoto Station – Back to the Udon. Fine, I liked it. I went back for more. I have no regrets. The staff watched me, smiling, as I made my second meal. It was good, I can't help but go.

• Day 2: Temples, Tranquility, and Terrible Decisions

  • 07:00 - Breakfast at the Hotel. The hotel buffet is… well, it's there. I opted for the (very basic) Japanese breakfast because, hey, when in Rome (or Kyoto, as the case may be). The rice was strangely bland, and the miso soup tasted suspiciously of instant. But the little pickled plums? Surprisingly addictive.
    • Anecdote: While eating, an elderly Japanese woman kept eyeing me, then smiled and mimed eating with chopsticks. I think she was judging my chopstick skills (which are, admittedly, atrocious). I may also have spilled rice on myself.
  • 08:00 - Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This place is beautiful. Truly. The wooden stage overlooking the city is breathtaking. I felt a wave of calm wash over me, then immediately ruined it by tripping over a rogue cobblestone. Graceful, that's me.
  • 09:00 - Getting Lost. (Again). I should have looked up how to get to the temple and the temple's history before leaving, but hey, I want to do things.
  • 10:00 - Lunch. I found a small shop that had a delicious fish and rice.
  • 11:00 - Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. The thousands of vibrant red torii gates winding up the mountain. It was a photo op heaven. I went out for 3 hours, walked through all the gates. The higher I went, the more the air thinned.
    • Emotional Reaction: I was in awe, it was quiet, the perfect vacation.
  • 17:00 - Gion District. Wandering through the geisha district was like stepping back in time. The wooden machiya houses, the quiet streets – it was enchanting. I was sure I saw a geisha darting into a teahouse, but she vanished before I could get a proper glimpse, like something out of a fairy tale. I did, however, manage to get a photo with a cute cat.
  • 19:00 - Dinner. Ramen Time! Finding a decent ramen place took a bit of effort, so I ended up walking around the city for an hour. No, I'm not sure where I was going.

• Day 2.5: The Day I Ate Everything at Nishiki Market

  • 09:00 - Nishiki Market. The Food Apocalypse Begins. This place is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Imagine a street overflowing with every kind of food imaginable. I became a human garbage disposal. Pickled vegetables, sweet potatoes, seafood on a stick… I tried it all.
  • 09:30 - The Octopus Skewers. Little, wriggling tentacles. I hesitantly took a bite. My reaction changed from shock to an addiction, I had to get more, I was eating anything.
    • Quirky Observation: The way the locals shop at Nishiki Market, it's so chaotic, but everyone is so polite. It's a weirdly polite food frenzy.
  • 11:00 - The Mochi Massacre. I think I ate a dozen mochi. All different flavors. Strawberry, matcha, red bean… It was a mochi-palooza. I'm pretty sure my sugar intake for the day was enough to power a small city.
    • Emotional Reaction: I don't think there's something this perfect out there. The mochi, the smell, the city. I'm so happy.
  • 12:00 - The Knife Shop. (and the Regret.) I bought a very expensive, beautiful knife that I probably won't ever use. Because I'm a sucker for souvenirs. It's currently wrapped up in bubble wrap and taking up valuable suitcase space.
    • Imperfection: I wish I brought a bigger suit case to Kyoto so I could get more things.
  • 13:00 - Leaving Nishiki Market. Stuffed and Slightly Ill. I waddled back to my hotel, defeated and brimming with regret. But hey, I got a good story out of it. And, you know, a very sharp knife.

• Day 3: Zen Gardens and the Last Supper

  • 08:00 - Ryoan-ji Temple. The Zen garden. So simple, and somehow, profoundly moving. I sat there for about an hour, contemplating the meaning of life, or maybe just the fact that I hadn't spilled anything on myself yet today.
  • 10:00 - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Okay, it's gold. Stunning. Worth the crowds. Photos galore.
  • 12:00 - Lunch. Another Udon Place. Turns out I'm a creature of habit. Went back for more. The staff recognized me. I feel like a local.
  • 19:00 - Last Supper. (Almost) I found a lovely little restaurant. I asked for a recommendation, and went with it.
    • Stronger Emotional Reaction: I'm going to miss this place.
  • 20:00 - Check-out. I can't wait to come back.

Postscript

• This is just a rough draft. I’m probably forgetting a million things, and I definitely haven't planned a thing. I'm sure there will be more mess, more meals, and more moments of utter confusion. But that's the beauty of it, right? The unexpected adventures, the happy accidents, and the chance to get gloriously lost in a new culture. That's what makes a trip unforgettable. And hey, at least I have a tiny room and a very sharp knife to remember it by.

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APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Kyoto Japan```html

Kyoto Station Luxury…or "Luxury(ish)," and This APA Hotel Deal: My Head's Still Spinning!

Okay, spill the tea! What's the actual deal, like, the REAL deal, with this APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita madness?

Alright, alright, settle down, I'm getting there! The "deal" (and I use that term loosely) is that you're getting a room… near Kyoto Station. Seriously, that's the big selling point. APA Hotels are… well, they're efficient. Think less "luxury suite," more "efficiently-designed sleeping box." But the price? It's usually pretty decent! This particular Ekikita (North Exit) one is... strategic. You're close to the station, which is HUGE. Kyoto Station is like the center of the freakin' universe for getting around.

But don't expect a spa bath and a butler named Jeeves. You get what you pay for, and in my case (and I’m just being honest here), I think I paid… a little too much for the space I got! Felt like I could touch both walls simultaneously! (Exaggerating, *slightly*.)

Is it *really* close to Kyoto Station? Because "close" can be a sneaky word…

YES! THAT'S THE BEST PART! Seriously, like, a five-minute walk, tops. I timed it, because I'm a glutton for punishment for the sake of information! Seriously. Dragging your luggage from the shinkansen? Bliss. Want to hop on a bus to Arashiyama at the crack of dawn? Easy peasy. Need to grab a quick pre-trip bento from the station? Done. That proximity alone is worth HALF the price of the room! (The other half? Unclear. Maybe the super-thin walls?) Remember that time I was late for a train? I ran from the hotel, and still made it! That's how close we're talking about.

The rooms... are they actually as tiny as everyone says? And... is there a window?

Okay, prepare yourself. The rooms are…. compact. Tiny. Think of it like a well-designed puzzle box where everything has its place. Your suitcase might take up half the available floor space. But hey, you're in Kyoto! You're NOT meant to be spending hours indoors! (Unless you have a thing for staring at tiny bathrooms. The bathroom situation… is efficient. Very, very efficient.)

And the window? Yes! (Mostly). Mine was small, but it was there! And let me tell you, after being in a windowless hotel in Tokyo, I could practically *weep* with gratitude for that tiny little window. It looked out on… another building. But it was DAYLIGHT! And that, my friends, is a luxury in itself after a long flight.

What about the amenities? Free Wi-Fi? A decent breakfast? Should I pack my own toilet paper?

The Wi-Fi is, thankfully, free and reasonably reliable. (Hallelujah!) The breakfast… let’s just say it's… functional. Think buffet-style, mostly Japanese staples, and… well, it filled me up. It wasn’t exactly a gourmet experience, but it's a LOT cheaper than eating breakfast out in Kyoto, which, by the way, is usually expensive. And, yes, you get your own tiny little toilet paper roll. Don't worry pack your own! But it's not bottom-of-the-barrel quality! So, don't worry about that. All good. Still, the breakfast… well, I'm not sure I'd go back specifically for the breakfast. (But hey, the convenience factor keeps me coming back!)

Tell me a story! Give me your funniest, most ridiculous APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita experience!

Okay, buckle up. This is a good one. So, I was there, jet-lagged to hell and back on my first trip to Japan, right? And absolutely shattered. I'd figured out the directions, found the front desk, got my key, and stumbled to my room... which, as mentioned, was a shoebox.

The problem was the bed. The damn bed! I'm a stomach sleeper. A hardcore, face-plant-in-the-pillow AND the thing was like a rock! It felt like I was sleeping on a slab of granite! And trust me, after 24 hours of travel, the last thing you need is a mattress designed by a sadist. I tossed and turned for hours. I tried every position imaginable. Nothing! I even tried putting the mattress on the floor (which... didn't work. I felt like a beached whale).

Around 3 AM, completely delirious from lack of sleep, I did the only logical thing: I went downstairs. I walked to the front desk, looking like a zombie, and told the poor, unsuspecting receptionist that my bed was trying to kill me. He looked at me with the most blank, yet polite expression, and offered to give me a foam topper. I swear he was used to it! I gratefully accepted the topper. I'm still not sure if the rock-bed could be fixed with that but, after using the foam topper, I finally got some sleep. And that, my friends, is the story of my first, and definitely not last, APA Hotel adventure.

So, REAL TALK: Would you recommend this APA Hotel, or should I run screaming?

Look, it's complicated. It's not a luxury experience. You're not getting a Michelin-star level stay. But for the price, and the LOCATION? It's hard to beat. If you're on a budget, or you value convenience over spaciousness (and honestly, who *really* hangs out in their hotel room in Kyoto?), it's a solid choice. (Just… maybe pack some earplugs. And maybe a foam topper, if you're picky like me... or if you value your spine!)

I'd go back. I probably will. Just… knowing what to expect. And keeping my sleep schedule in mind. And maybe taking the stairs, after all, that would be another story!

TL;DR: Run… towards it. But with realistic expectations. And maybe a good book to distract yourself from the bed. And don't stare too hard at the bathroom. Just go for it, and enjoy Kyoto!

```Luxury Getaway: Shell Hotel Jiaxing – Unforgettable Zhejiang Escape!

APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Kyoto Japan

APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekikita Kyoto Japan

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