Nothing!

Serene and charming little hideaway in Kyoto. The rooms, breakfast, sauna and staff were all delightful.

Stayed in March 2025

The living room was a little uncomfortable with no comfy chairs or couch, but that is probably normal for ryokan accommodations.

Central location, very nice bath, comfy beds, quiet location, wonderful owners, staff, and restaurant suggestions.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing.

Excellent room, very clean and cozy. The staff were incredibly friendly and happy to recommend places to visit and restaurants. The breakfast was simple, but a perfect meal to start the day.

Stayed in March 2025

I really love this place, managers were so nice to me, beautiful light breakfast to start your day. Rooms are super nice, it gave exceptional Japanese culture vibe. Staff knows a lot of places and really recommended me to visit some. Will definitely stay in future trips in Kyoto

Stayed in November 2024

A bit to to much empty space. And too expensive.

Very clean and luxurious. The garden inside was beautiful.

Stayed in February 2025

Small hotels are my favorite. This one had everything we needed, we loved our room, personal attention and an atmosphere of the hotel

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing!

Cozy, clean, inviting. Beautifully designed. The staff was so kind and accommodating, and loved the included breakfast every morning.

Stayed in November 2024

N/A

Tamao is a truly special place. The rooms are so beautiful and the folks working there take excellent care of you. We felt like we were guests in someone’s home. Great location. Loved breakfast every morning too.

Stayed in November 2024

All! All was excellence, rooms, staff, design.

Stayed in November 2024

Private suites, very comfortable, great style

Stayed in November 2024

The breakfast, the location, especially the staff, were all amazing! Would definitely stay here again!

Stayed in November 2024

If any hotel deserves a 10 this is the one. We travel excessively all around the world and always stay in beautiful hotels but Tamao is really amazing. The location fantastic, central but quiet. The room absolutely gorgeous. Bed so comfortable, Bath amazing. Sauna - incredible. Breakfast very natural and tasty. Owner and staff top notch - extremely nice and attentive. Wonderful recommendations where to eat in the lovely neighborhood. Everything about this place is about subtle beauty and excellence. Can’t wait to be back on our next visit to Kyoto.

Stayed in November 2024

Nothing!

Beautiful design and everyone was so nice and helpful.

Stayed in November 2024

Absolutely nothing.

Tamao is a standard and a league on its own. The location, rooms, common areas, sauna and services were exquisite. The staff was the silver lining. Extremely competent and caring.

Stayed in October 2024

Nothing!

We loved everything about Tamao - the beautiful rooms, stone bath and private sauna and incredible service from the staff! Perfect start to our honey moon thank you!

Stayed in August 2024

Super friendly owner and staff, beautifully designed hotel with a small number of rooms , lots of thoughtful details. Definitely one of the best hotels I have stayed at. I love the combination of modern and traditional Japanese design for both its interior and exterior. I love the tatami area and study space! But also the bed and the bath were so comfortable! We love everything about the place. Great location - next to a train station and not from most things - 15 minutes walk to the busiest parts of Kyoto. A perfect place to stay and relax as well as explore Kyoto.

Stayed in June 2024

Amazing people, every single member of the team was incredible. The huge sunken bath was a welcome surprise. Lovely design, beautiful property.

Stayed in May 2024

Breakfast was carefully thought out and beautifully made. Each menu item was described by the owner or the staff. We learned new things - such as sprinkling thyme on marmalade alters its flavor!

Stayed in May 2024

Compared to Gion the location is not as touristic, but the stay there itself is like being in a hidden gem.

I loved the exquisite taste of the interiors, so minimalistic and elegant. Owner and staff are very courteous and friendly.

Stayed in April 2024

The best hotel on our trip through japan. Very modern-traditional beautiful architecture and design. Incredibly welcoming, friendly and helpful staff and atmosphere. Fantastic western-japanese hybrid-breakfast. Thank you so very much for your hospitality!

Stayed in April 2024

Owner and staff are very nice !

Stayed in March 2024

Wonderful location

Stayed in April 2024

Excellent location by public transportation, and absolutely beautiful accommodations!

Stayed in March 2024

We cannot think of anything that we didn't like. We'd have to visit a few more times...but I doubt we'd be able to come up with something we didn't like.

Tamao was a beautiful choice in our travels to Japan and such a lovely setting from which to explore Kyoto. The proprietress has recently opened the lovely "Inn". We were so pleased to walk in and immediately smell the fragrant woods used in it's construction. Very calming and lovely with gracious design touches. Best walking into the entry room, a shared space, was the warm greeting from Miko. We were invited to take a seat at the lovely dining table next to the fireplace and checked in. Then a few steps across a garden courtyard brought us to our up/down unit. The unit was fabulous with wood everywhere, heated floors, spacious bathroom with garden pocket window. Upstairs was the seating area next to the bed and cleverly tucked away desk. My husband who is an Architect loved the design details and kept walking around the unit taking pictures and just enjoying the lovely workmanship. The space was stellar. But it was the staff and management that made our stay so memorable. Passing in and out of Tamao through the shared "living room" we were always greeting with warmth and a smile. We were interested in the story behind the building of the Inn. The owner, Naly and staff were receptive and excited to share their stories and answer many questions about the city we were visiting. Koji, who manned the desk several days of our 6 day stay, was very helpful booking us a visit to Katsura Villa. He also anticipated alternatives for our return journey to Tokyo when snow potentially threatened our chosen means of travel via Shinkansen. Ayako had a keen interest in what we were hoping to see during our stay. She shared excitement and ideas which fueled our wanderings in Kyoto. Breakfasts were simple, satisfying and accompanied by pleasant conversation with Naly and her staff. Loved the Amakaze yogurt served every morning. We certainly hope to return one day.

Stayed in February 2024