The hotel has a slightly sophisticated look, although it's not particularly seamless or cohesive. The second-floor lobby is dominated by busy houndstooth patterned carpeting, with mid-century modern black leather sofas off to the side. The nicest space is the 10th-floor restaurant, which has little ambiance but a beautiful view of the city. The ground-floor cafe is also modern, with sleek wood counters and a bit of a Starbucks vibe. The atmosphere is simple and not stuffy, and there are plenty of places to relax.

The hotel is located on a quiet street one block from the Kamogawa River, which is a nice place to stroll, and there are many restaurants nearby. The hotel can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus in about 10 minutes. There are several temples and attractions within walking distance, including the Kennin-ji temple and the Gion district, which are both 10 to 15 minutes away. It is about an hour drive to Osaka International Airport, and takes about the same time via public transportation.

Rooms, which include singles, semi-doubles, doubles, and twins, are clean and modern looking, with dark carpeting in a busy stripe pattern and beds covered in plush duvets and decorated with brown floral covers. Riverside rooms have lovely views of the city. Bathrooms are cramped -- tall guests should watch their head upon entering -- and come with small round sinks, high-tech toilets, and curtained shower/tub combos. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, robes, and slippers, and toiletries include razors and toothbrushes. 

The hotel serves a buffet breakfast and lunch, and an a la carte dinner in the 10th-floor Italian restaurant, Trattoria Viale, which has a beautiful view of the city. There’s also a cafe on the ground floor that serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, rice, and salads. Coin-operated laundry machines and vending machines are available. There is also a banquet hall or meeting room with catering. Computers, a printer, and tourist information are available in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free.