The staff was very helpful and friendly. I would 100% stay there again. We had bunk beds in our bedroom with a private bathroom. The breakfast was great - the coffee was very good and we appreciated the wide variety of fruits. The location was very central and we took advantage of the bike rentals and laundry facilities at the guesthouse.

Very welcoming and helpful. Great facilities, cute design. Location was great for getting places on foot or on the bus. Lots of little extras such as range of drinks, snacks, books etc. Great chatting with the owners.

I made Guesthouse Soi my home base during my 17 days in Japan, and it was one of the best decisions I made. The value was excellent, which allowed me to take overnight trips without putting a major dent in my wallet. It is clear that Maki-san has put great care into creating thoughtful processes so guests have an incredible experience. From the moment I checked in, it was obvious that customer service is a top priority. I loved the small details, such as sandals to use during the stay and an area with free toiletries for guests who may have forgotten something, including disposable slippers. My room was perfect: simple, clean, comfortable, and with an authentic feel thanks to the tatami floors. I had a small work area, space for my clothes, and a comfortable place to sleep. Having access to laundry was also a real bonus, especially for a longer stay, and detergent was provided. You can tell that Maki-san has taken the time to make sure guests have everything they need. One of my favorite moments came from a local festival posted in the lobby by a team member. I decided to go, and it ended up being one of the best days of my trip. I felt immersed in local Japanese culture, which can sometimes be difficult to experience in a city as popular and tourist-filled as Kyoto. Because I stayed for an extended period while most guests were there for only two or three days, I was able to see many interactions between the staff and guests. Every single time, the staff handled each interaction with the utmost respect, kindness, and care. I would highly recommend Guesthouse Soi to anyone visiting Kyoto. The staff make you feel genuinely welcome, the location is perfect, the value is excellent, and the staff speak English very well.

Very clean, and nice staff

Breakfast was excellent, the staff was nice and super helpful. Room was cozy and nicely furnished, with plenty of space. And the other guests were very nice.

We loved the details of the room (the tatami mats were a special touch). It was clean and in a great location. The staff were also patient and kind. It was really great having laundry and water available as well. Would absolutely come again (:

The owner and her staff are perfect--friendly, welcoming, very helpful. Breakfast was also really good--simple but excellent. Loved the room.

The Proprietors (husband & wife) were ever so warm, generous, and helpful; offering suggestions for sightseeing, meals, etc. The room was clean, comfortable and warm - and it's easy to meet with other guests. They provide a simple breakfast (toast, jam, beverage) as part of the booking, and will cook a Kyoto breakfast if request (small charge). Toiletries and drinks (hot and cold) are available. The whole experience feels like you're staying at someone's home/with friends. Will definitely be back.

The hosts were super nice and helpful, they had very good recommendations. The cute girls at the front desk were also very helpful and they all spoke very good English. The room was huge and very clean. There is also a sushi restaurant nextdoor with some of the best sushi I've ever had.

Room layout was unique, hosts were exceedingly courteous and helpful, and environment was excellent.

It’s a cozy place with a lot of character. The owners are always available to answer any questions, and although the location isn’t especially close to the main restaurant hub, there’s a delicious sushi place right next door.

the staff, the triple suite room we booked japonese style was amazing, all the facilities and the breakfast were something to remember! Ill come back if Im in Kyoto again

Next time I visit Kyoto, I'll be staying at Guesthouse Soi again, full stop. The owners, Maki and Sim, are beyond kind and knowledgable and should really be charging more for the exceptional service they provide. They're around every day. The staff are all wonderfully helpful and warm, and speak a variety of languages. The Japanese-style breakfast that Maki cooks (for such a reasonable price!!) is total comfort food, clean and delicious. Sim is always full of travel tips for wherever you're going (best bus routes, best trains to take) and goings-on around the neighborhood (once-a-year flea markets). The guesthouse is clean and full of character: you can tell how much love and care has been put into every detail, from the specific brand of teabags they provide, to the variety of (free!) freshly cut fruit they set out every morning under handmade labels, to the guitar made available in the common area for anyone to play. (I'm not musically inclined myself, but it was always nice to hear talented guests playing it softly and sometimes singing—never at unreasonable hours.) The two rooms I've stayed in have been quiet and spotless, and they offer a range of room types to suit your needs: Japanese vs Western bedding, affordable hostel-style options and private rooms for families (though honestly all the rooms are ridiculously affordable). Location-wise, Guesthouse Soi is a gently uphill six-minute walk from the Umamachi bus station, which gets you wherever you need to go (Gion, train stations). It's also walking distance from these places I enjoyed immensely: Sushi Aorarashi, Cafe Shuudo, and a Lawson's. In short: stay here. The owners used to be avid backpackers themselves, and you can tell that the quality and affordability of Guesthouse Soi is the product of their passion, experience, and love that they have for travel. Whether you're traveling to Kyoto solo or with family, there is literally no reason not to stay at Guesthouse Soi.

Very attractive Japanese accommodations with a helpful hostess and good location near bus lines and not far from a train line. Very near a delicious neighborhood Sushi restaurant.

A perfect, cozy, multi-floor Japanese-style room experience at a great price! You could even lay a medium-sized suitcase on the floor, something you can't do in expensive chain hotel rooms. Breakfast is free, and there is a shared kitchen area equipped with the necessary cooking tools.

We loved our stay here - everything was clean, comfortable beds including the sofa bed in the tatami area. The free breakfast was a bonus before we headed out for the day. The staff were welcoming and helpful especially when we used luggage transfer service. Great location, close to the bus and walking distance to ninenzaka and kiyomizu-dera temple. Our first day here it rained and they had umbrellas we could borrow which was great as we had not brought our own. Highly recommend a stay here!

It was clean, the breakfast was delicious with a variety of fresh fruits (which is hard to find in Japan)! Maki and the staff were so helpful. There was also a kitchen that you could use! My kids enjoyed the huge variety of games.

Lovely and simple breakfast, clean rooms and spaces, nice guests too! super helpful staff

Friendly staff. They had some free snack food. Facility was very clean.