Kyoto Luxury: MIMARU Suites Shijo - Unforgettable Stay Awaits!
Kyoto Luxury: MIMARU Suites Shijo - Honestly, It's Pretty Darn Good (and Here's Why)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your dry, robotic travel review. This is my experience, warts and all, of MIMARU Suites Shijo in Kyoto. And, honestly, it left a pretty good impression. Let's dive in, shall we?
The Vibe (and My First Impression):
From the moment I stepped in, MIMARU felt… spacious. Not the sterile, impersonal spaciousness of some hotels, but a "breathe-easy" kind of spacious. The lobby? Clean, well-lit, and frankly, relaxing. I arrived jet-lagged to hell and back, and the soothing atmosphere was a godsend. Check-in was surprisingly easy (I think I even got a contactless check-in, yay!), and the staff were genuinely friendly, not the overly-polished, robotic kind. They smiled! I swear!
Accessibility & The "Big" Concerns (Important Stuff, People!):
Before I get lost in the food coma details, let's talk about the important stuff. I'm not personally reliant on accessibility features, but I always pay attention. MIMARU Suites Shijo gets some serious points here.
- It's Wheelchair Accessible: Major win. The hotel is designed pretty well for folks with mobility challenges. The hallways are wide, and the elevators are, you know, functional. I peeked into a few rooms designed with accessibility in mind, and they looked comfortable and thoughtfully designed.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They’ve thought this through. I'm not saying perfection, but it's a HUGE leap ahead of some other places I've stayed.
My Room – A Sanctuary (and a Few Minor Gripes):
Okay, let's talk about my room. I opted for a suite, and…wow. It was HUGE. Seriously, I could’ve hosted a small party in there. (Don't tell them I said that… the staff).
- Space, Space, Space: My Japanese friend, Hiroki, warned me about small hotel rooms. This wasn't one of them. Multiple rooms, a comfy seating area, a separate bedroom – I loved it. The "extra-long bed" was genuinely awesome (I'm tall, and often my feet hang off the end).
- Kitchenette Magic: The kitchenette was a game-changer. I’m not a chef but having a fridge to keep my snacks (and, ahem, some beers) chilled, and the ability to make a coffee in the morning was brilliant. This "suite" factor really made it feel like a home away from home. Which is crucial when I'm there as a long-term visitor.
- Cleanliness, Oh, the Cleanliness: Everything was spotless. The daily housekeeping was efficient. (And discreet – they didn't judge me for my messy suitcase, which is a feat in itself).
- The Annoyances: Now, the nitty gritty… the internet sometimes seemed a little slow, though the free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver, and having a LAN option was great for my laptop. I would have appreciated stronger water pressure in the shower, and the soundproofing, while good, occasionally let through the muffled sounds of the hallway. You know, the usual suspects.
- Soundproofing: My room on the third floor seemed well-insulated from street noise, so my sleep wasn't disturbed.
Things to Do (and Ways to Actually Relax):
- Fitness Center: I peaked in, because I always plan to use the gym, and never, ever do. It looked pretty decent, with your standard equipment. Good enough.
- Spa/Sauna: Ah, now this is where it got interesting. They don't have a full-blown spa service, but they had a communal bath and sauna area, which was nice for a quick, relaxing dip. Plus, the view from there was pretty good, overlooking the city!
- The Pool (Outdoor): I didn’t take a dip (it was January, and I'm not that brave), but the outdoor pool looked inviting.
Culinary Adventures (and My Stomach's Story):
Okay, this is where things get delicious. The food at MIMARU, in my humble opinion, was a mix of amazing and, well, kind of average.
- Breakfast Buffet – A Love Story: The breakfast buffet? Chef's kiss. They had everything: Asian breakfast (delish miso soup, a variety of rice), Western breakfast (omelets made to order, crispy bacon, great coffee), fresh fruit, pastries… I may have overindulged. More than once. I swear, I could have eaten their entire stock of bacon in one sitting.
- Restaurants & Dining: They have on-site restaurants serving both international and Asian cuisines. I had a fantastic ramen one night at their casual-dining establishment. They also had a bar with a decent selection of drinks.
- Room Service (24-Hour): This was a lifesaver after a long day of exploring. The food was decent (nothing mind-blowing, but definitely satisfying), and the speed of delivery was impressive. My late-night cravings were met!
Cleanliness and Safety – My COVID-Conscious Concerns (and Relieved Sighs):
Traveling during… well, the current situation, safety is paramount. MIMARU, bless their hearts, really went above and beyond.
- Hygiene Protocol: Everyone, and I mean everyone, wore masks. Sanitizing stations were everywhere. There was even an option to opt-out of housekeeping, which I appreciated (fewer people in my space!).
- Dining Safety: The dining setup was well-organized, with appropriate distancing, and they took extra efforts to clean tableware.
- The Details: Hand sanitizer was abundant, and staff were diligent about safety protocols. I felt surprisingly safe, which is a huge relief.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things):
- Concierge: The concierge was super helpful with everything, from booking taxis to giving me insider tips.
- Daily Housekeeping: Everything was spotless, every single day.
- Laundry Service and Dry Cleaning: Perfect for a longer stay!
For the Kids (and Family Fun):
- Family-Friendly: MIMARU Suites Shijo is definitely family-friendly. Their kid-friendly option is an amazing selling proposition.
Getting Around (Kyoto's a Breeze):
- Airport Transfer: They arranged my airport transfer, which was a relief after a long flight.
- Car Park: They have an on-site car park, which is super convenient if you're driving.
- Taxi Service: Super easy.
Metadata, SEO, and the Bottom Line:
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- Metadata: Title: Kyoto Luxury: MIMARU Suites Shijo - My Honest Review. Description: A detailed and brutally honest review of MIMARU Suites Shijo in Kyoto, Japan. Accessibility, cleanliness, dining, and more! Keywords: Kyoto, MIMARU Suites Shijo, hotel review, Japan, luxury, accessibility.
The Verdict?
Would I stay at MIMARU Suites Shijo again? Absolutely. It's not perfect – what is? – But it’s a solid choice, especially if you’re looking for space, convenience, and a thoughtful setup. The location is great (easy access to everything), the rooms are spacious and well-equipped, and the staff are genuinely friendly. And let's be honest the breakfast alone is worth the price of admission. Go for it. Just remember to get extra bacon. You'll thank me later.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Muong Thanh Lang Son Hotel - Vietnam's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-polished itinerary. This is… my trip to MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo. And trust me, it's gonna get real. (And probably involve a lot of matcha.)
Subject: Japan, You Beautiful, Chaotic Beast: An Impromptu Itinerary (with a Side of Existential Dread When the Train Gets Delayed)
The Premise: Escape. Needed it. Found this place. MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo looked (and smelled, based on the internet – which, let’s be honest, is often wrong) amazing. Here's the rough plan, knowing full well it'll morph faster than a Pokémon.
Day 1: Arrival and the Battle of the Convenience Store (and My Sanity)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Land in Osaka (Kansai International Airport - KIX). Okay, first hurdle: surviving customs. I swear, the way they look at you, you'd think you were smuggling… well, something incredibly illegal. (Mostly, I’m smuggling a lot of snacks. Judge me.)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Train to Kyoto. This is where things get… dicey. Train announcements in, what, three languages? My brain is already mush. Pray for me, people. Pray the train doesn't get delayed. Pray the snacks hold up. (Okay, it got delayed. Breathe. Deep breaths. This is supposed to be relaxing.)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Check into MIMARU SUITES Kyoto Shijo. FINALLY. Hope it's as spacious as the pictures promised. Because I'm bringing all my stuff. Including, you know, the aforementioned snacks. (And my emergency chocolate stash. Don't judge.)
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Unpack and… assess the damage. Am I already covered in airplane grime? Probably. Time for a shower and a mental inventory. Did I remember the conversion plug? Did I remember… anything?
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Convenience Store Gauntlet. This is where the real adventure begins. 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart – it's a battlefield of deliciousness. Which weird, tasty things do I absolutely need to try? This is my true test. (Predictably, I bought too much. Regret? None. Except… maybe my credit card.)
- Anecdote: Stood in the Lawson for, like, fifteen minutes trying to figure out the self-checkout. Blessedly, a kind Japanese woman took pity on me and guided me through the process. My deepest thanks to her. Without her, I’d still be there, staring blankly at the screen.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. Hmph. Ramen? Udon? Curry? The possibilities are endless. I’m leaning towards something comforting, something… carb-heavy.
9:00 PM - Bedtime: Rest and Recharge Hopefully, I will collapse into a pillow. Jet lag is not my friend. Maybe watch some Japanese TV (if I can figure out how to use the remote).
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and the Quest for the Perfect Photo (and Emotional Breakdown)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel. I'm hoping they have a decent selection of… everything. Especially coffee. Because yesterday was a caffeine deficit.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Majestic, right? Photos. Photos. Photos! (This is where my "perfect photo" quest begins. Will I capture the awe? Probably not. But I'll try.)
- Quirky Observation: The sheer number of people taking selfies at Kiyomizu-dera is mind-boggling. It's like everyone's trying to capture the same moment, but also a completely unique one. It's fascinating, and slightly overwhelming.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. A simple lunch near the temple?
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Wander through Gion. Geishas! (Probably won't see any. But the hope is enough.) The charming streets. I will become a master wanderer.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Tea Ceremony. A calming experience, right? Hopefully, I won't spill the matcha everywhere. (I'm clumsy. It's a problem.)
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, the tea ceremony was… surprisingly emotional. The quiet, the precision, the taste of the matcha… made me realize I never take time to just be. Suddenly, I'm on the verge of tears. (Don't worry, I held it together.) Also, the matcha was bitter… and maybe a little too much for me.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Shopping. Souvenirs! (And maybe a new outfit. Or five.)
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner In the mood for tempura. (Or anything fried right now.)
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Read my book, Journal, and try to not think about everything I need to write about my trip.
Day 3: Arashiyama and… The Bamboo Forest (and My Existential Crisis, Part 2)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel breakfast better be good. I'm on a mission to find the perfect onsen egg.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The photos… the Instagram potential… This is it.
- Messier Structure and Occasional Rambles: Okay, the Bamboo Grove… it’s stunning. Truly. You walk in and you feel… something. But then you realize you're surrounded by hundreds of other people all trying to have the exact same experience, and the serenity… well, it kinda evaporates. I spent twenty minutes trying to get a photo without anyone in it. Give up. Just give up!
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Okay, I was overwhelmed. In a good way, at first. But then the crowds and the constant clicking of cameras… it was like being trapped in a… giant photographic hamster wheel. I felt strangely… empty. Was it just the crowds? Was it… something else? Yes. Yes, it was. I needed a snack.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch in Arashiyama. The river, hopefully with a view.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Tenryu-ji Temple, exploring the garden. More peace. More quiet. (Please, please, please, for the love of all that is holy, let there be peace.)
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: Decided to spend a lot of time in the Tenryu-ji garden. Sat on a bench, staring at the meticulously raked gravel, the graceful lines of the trees… and I realized… I’m okay. I'm actually okay. A profound, unexpected… calm washed over me. It was the best part of my day.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Shopping for souvenirs in Arashiyama. More souvenirs. More purchases. Regret is coming, I can feel it.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Head back to the hotel.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Still undecided, but leaning towards whatever is nearby and delicious.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: I think I might die of exhaustion. But in a good way.
Day 4: Culture and Departure (and the Sadness of Leaving)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Last hotel breakfast. Make it count!
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Nishiki Market. Food! Food! Food! More food! (I hope I can handle it.)
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at Nishiki Market.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Fushimi Inari Shrine. The red torii gates. Photos again!
- Opinionated Language and Natural Pacing: Fushimi Inari is spectacular. The energy of the people walking up and down is just incredible. This place is a must-see.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Did I buy enough? Probably not.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel--Pack up
- **6:00
Kyoto Luxury: MIMARU Suites Shijo - Forget Perfection, Let's Get Real!
Okay, so MIMARU Suites Shijo. Sounds fancy, right? Luxury? More like "luxury" with a side of "did I just mess up my matcha latte on the crisp white sheets?!" Let's break this down, FAQ-style, but with a hefty dose of my brain's glorious chaos. I'm the kind of traveler who packs five pairs of socks "just in case" and ends up wearing the same two pairs the whole time. So, take this with a grain of your favorite (or least favorite!) salt.
What's the deal with these "Suites" anyway? Are we talking actual palaces?
Palaces? Nah. Unless your palace is the size of a really well-appointed apartment. But they *are* suites, and that's a solid win in my book. We're talking good space, people! Finally, room to flail my arms in the morning without accidentally knocking over the suspiciously expensive sake set. I'm talking *enough* room for the entire squad (or just you and your existential dread). The important part is *feeling spacious*, right? I mean, come on, crammed into a tiny hotel room after a day of temples? Nope. This is where the "luxury" vibe starts to kick in.
Location, Location, Location! Is it actually convenient? Because I *hate* schlepping suitcases.
Oh, honey, YES. Shijo is GOLD. It's like... the *heart* of Kyoto. Close to EVERYTHING. Okay, not *everything*. But close enough to the Nishiki Market (god bless those pickles!), the Gion district (sushi for days!), and a bazillion temples that will make your Instagram followers green with envy. The subway access is a lifesaver, especially after a long day of temple-hopping when your legs feel like boiled noodles.
My ONLY minor gripe? Finding a shortcut is hard, even with Google maps! One time I got *completely* lost. I ended up wandering into a tiny alleyway, and the friendly local resident just pointed and laughed. Seriously, it felt like a movie scene. But the closeness? Absolutely worth it.
They mention a kitchen. Am I expected to cook my own Michelin-star meal? Because I can barely boil water.
Relax! You're not expected to become a celebrity chef overnight. The kitchen *is* a brilliant touch. Think: reheating leftovers from your glorious Nishiki Market haul. Think: making instant ramen at 3 AM after a sake-fueled night! (Confession: Definitely happened. More than once.) They provide some basic cooking equipment, which is absolutely perfect for a light breakfast or a simple snack. It's a game-changer for saving a little cash and feeling like a local. And, let's be honest, hotel breakfast buffets get old after a while. Plus, the coffee maker meant I could crank an espresso *anytime*. The simple luxury that hits different.
Okay, but the *room* itself? Is it actually nice? Because I've seen some hotel rooms that look like they were designed by a committee of grumpy ghosts.
The rooms? Yeah, they're good. Real good. Modern, clean lines. Comfortable beds (important!). Surprisingly, that's the *most* important part. My back aches after hours of sightseeing, and the soft bed relieved my pain. They've got a minimalist, but stylish aesthetic. Think "zen" meets "practical." Enough space to spread out your suitcase (or suitcases - no judgment!). The natural light is divine. Okay, I'll be honest, there's a moment of pure bliss when you walk in and see how much *space* you have. And the bathroom? Spotlessly clean. A good bathroom can make or break a hotel experience, and this one was a solid win. I mean, after a long day of soaking in the sights, you *need* a good bathroom. And hot water that doesn't decide to be cold halfway through your shower. Amen to that.
Service - a make or break for me. Are the staff helpful if I'm a complete travel idiot?
Yes! The staff is *fantastic*. They're polite, helpful, and genuinely seem to enjoy helping you (a rare and lovely thing!). They speak decent English, which is a lifesaver when you're trying to figure out how to use the Japanese toilet (trust me, you WILL need help at some point!). I had a minor issue with the air conditioning (user error, completely *my* fault!), and they sent someone up immediately. They were super patient with my frantic attempts to explain the problem in a combination of English and charades. They were also incredibly helpful with recommendations - restaurants, activities, even how to navigate the ridiculously complicated Kyoto bus system. Basically, they're your travel guardian angels.
Anything I should be aware of – any hidden downsides or potential dealbreakers?
Okay, honest moment: It's not *perfect*. It's really close though. No on-site restaurant, but with Kyoto's food scene, who needs one? Perhaps it's *too* "apartment-style". There's a slight feeling of self service sometimes, but that is a minor point. But seriously, I struggled to find real downsides. Parking can be a pain (as it is in most major cities, duh!), and I'd suggest letting them know about your arrival, and how much luggage you have. The rooms may be a little *too* soundproof at times, and you won't here noise from the vibrant city outside. I’m not entirely sure. If I had to grasp at straws, maybe the *lack of on-site spa* (but honestly, you can get a massage anywhere in Kyoto!). But seriously, those are nitpicks. Honestly, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Would you actually recommend it to someone? Be brutally honest!
YES. Absolutely. Without a doubt. If you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and well-equipped base for exploring Kyoto, MIMARU Suites Shijo is an excellent choice. It's not the cheapest place in town, but the value for money is fantastic. The space, the location, the staff – it all adds up to a really positive travel experience. I mean, I'm picturing it now. Coming back from a long day of temples, kicking off your shoes, and collapsing onto that comfy bed. Pure bliss. And, let's be real, sometimes that's all you need.
