Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Uncover the RESI STAY Anekoji Secret!
Okay, buckle up, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into Kyoto's "Hidden Gem" – RESI STAY Anekoji! Forget those polished, perfect reviews you usually find. This is real life, baby. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, a dash of chaos, and enough detail to make your head spin (in a good way, hopefully!).
RESI STAY Anekoji: The Kyoto Secret…That Might Be Worth Uncovering
Let's be honest, finding a truly hidden gem in Kyoto is like finding a unicorn wearing a kimono. Everything's pretty darn well-trodden. BUT, RESI STAY Anekoji… well, it holds a few surprises. Or, it could, depending on what you're looking for. Let's break it down, shall we? And yeah, I'm going to be super opinionated. Because that's life, right?
Accessibility (And the Dreaded Stairs):
Right off the bat: Accessibility is… a mixed bag. Look, Kyoto is old. Like, really old. So, if you're relying on a wheelchair, call ahead. Ask lots of questions. The website says facilities for disabled guests, but I'd want concrete confirmation. Elevators? Check. But are the hallways ridiculously narrow? Again, call! I'm a fairly mobile human, and even I noticed some tight spots. This isn't the Four Seasons. Be prepared for some potential stair-climbing. Seriously, double-check.
On-Site Goodies (Food, Bliss, and the Elusive "Pool with a View"):
- Restaurants/Lounges: Okay, let's be real. I didn't exactly stumble upon a Michelin-starred dining experience. The option to have Asian cuisine or Western cuisine is there, but I wouldn't expect culinary fireworks. The bar is probably your best bet for a relaxing drink. They also have a coffee shop, I'd love to see it. I like Coffee.
- Happy Hour: Yes! (Assuming they actually do it, and it's not just a whisper on the wind.)
- Pool?? WITH A VIEW?!? Okay, here's my personal issue. I'm a pool person. I dream of turquoise water and a postcard-worthy vista. The listing claims a "pool with a view." Huge selling point, right? I need to clarify this before booking. Is this a tiny plunge pool overlooking a parking garage? Or something breathtaking? I'd want pictures. Specific pictures. Don't get my hopes up and then crush them.
- Spa/Sauna/Body Scrub/Body Wrap: Nope, didn't see this anywhere.
- Gym/Fitness/Fitness Center: I'm not sure if there is a gym so I cannot comment.
The Relaxation Station (Or Not):
- Massage? Maybe. Check. Double-check. Triple-check.
- Steamroom/Sauna: Probably not, I'm guessing.
- Foot bath: A "maybe." I love foot baths.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Fear of Germs (Post-Pandemic Angst):
They claim to be on top of things. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, individually-wrapped food, rooms sanitized between stays, staff trained in safety protocol, sterilizing equipment. These are all GREAT to hear. Hand sanitizer? Essential. But look, it's the feeling that matters. Did it feel clean? I'd be looking for a spotless bathroom, no weird smells, and a generally "fresh" vibe. I'd trust the hygiene certification. Room sanitization opt-out is a nice option for the eco-conscious. I need to check all of it before booking.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Journey):
- Breakfast Options: The Asian breakfast, the Western breakfast, the Breakfast [buffet]. This is a good start. Breakfast in room? Yes, please, especially if you're suffering from jet lag. Oh, and breakfast takeaway service, thank you.
- Restaurants: Listed before.
- Snack bar: I need this if the hotel is in a remote location or I don't know the area, so I can grab a quick bite.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Bottle of water: Essentials.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Possible.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter):
- Air conditioning in public area? Essential.
- Concierge: Score! They can hopefully help you navigate the city.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, please.
- Doorman: Nice.
- Elevator: Check.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See "Accessibility" above.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Very helpful.
- Luggage storage: A must.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Meh.
- Meeting/banquet facilities/ Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting stationery: For those who need to work.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Bicycle parking, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Taxi service: Convenient for transportation.
For the Kids (Because Everyone Travels with Them, Right?):
- Babysitting service: Helpful.
- Family/child friendly, Kids meal: Good to know.
- Kids facilities: What are they? Playground? Game room? Details, people!
Getting Around (The Practical Stuff):
- Airport transfer: Useful.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Good options.
Available in All Rooms (The Comfort Zone):
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. This is a pretty comprehensive list. Honestly, all the basics are here, which is a good sign.
Getting into the Details and My Opinion:
I need to spend some time on the actual room. That's where you'll spend the bulk of your time. I am hoping there will be a reading light. A desk, a safe box for my passport, and free bottled water. The Wi-Fi [free] better work! A sofa is a welcome thing. Speaking of the window, I'd like it to open (can you hear me, RESI STAY Anekoji?).
OKAY, Let's Talk Internet For A Second:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Internet [LAN]. Internet services! Sounds good, right? But seriously, I need reliable Wi-Fi. I'm a travel blogger. My job relies on it. Call me a millennial. I don't care. If the Wi-Fi is spotty, I'm going to lose my mind. This is huge. I'm going to check the reviews on this.
The Really Cool Stuff: Things to Do:
- Shrine: Cool.
- Proposal spot: Romantic.
- Couple's room: Maybe.
- Exterior corridor: I'd research this and see what some photos show.
- Smoking area: Great for smokers.
Cleanliness and Safety (Again – Because It Matters):
I want to be really reassured about cleanliness. I'm going to hunt for recent reviews. Are people constantly complaining about dirty rooms? (Run!) Is it a chorus of praise for how spotless the place is? (Get ready to book!) CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]. Good. All good. Make me feel safe.
Anecdotal Ramblings (Because Life Isn't Perfect):
Okay, confession time. I once stayed in a "boutique hotel" in Rome that boasted a "rooftop terrace with stunning city views." The "terrace" was a sad little cement square, and the "views" mostly consisted of air conditioning units
Unbeatable Luxury: La Bastide des Golfs Awaits in France!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my disastrous (and hopefully delightful) plan for a trip to RESI STAY Anekoji in Kyoto, Japan. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed; this is the raw, unfiltered brain dump of a travel-addicted, mildly-anxious human. Get ready for some chaos.
RESISTAY ANEKOJI: Project Kyoto Getaway - Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Tiny Apartment
(Okay, real talk: I spent a solid hour agonizing over the name of this trip. "Kyoto Conquest"? Too aggressive. "Embrace the Kyoto Zen"? Lies. So, we're going with the brutally honest approach.)
Day 1: Arrival & Apartment Panic
- Morning (ish): Flight from (Let's say) London. The usual airport frenzy. Did I pack my passport? Yes. Did I remember to bring my adapter for my tiny, precious, and currently-useless-in-Japan Kindle? Probably not. Already regretting my life choices.
- Afternoon: Land in Osaka. Breathe. Holy wow, it's Japan. Everything is beautiful and tiny and everything is also in Japanese and I understand approximately zero of it. Managed to navigate the train (miracle!), got a Suica card (magical!), and made it to Kyoto. The sheer efficiency of the Japanese train system is both awe-inspiring and deeply intimidating.
- Late Afternoon / Early Evening: Arrival at RESI STAY Anekoji. The apartment is… compact. Adorable, in a "dollhouse meets minimalist design" kind of way. My first thought: "Where do I put all my stuff?" My second thought: "Did I leave the damn oven on back in London?" (I didn’t). Settle in, unpack, and start hyperventilating a little about the sheer cultural difference.
- Evening: Wander around the neighborhood, get hopelessly lost, but find a tiny, genuinely amazing ramen place. The broth was like a religious experience. I slurped the noodles, made a complete mess of myself, and felt a profound sense of peace. This is what travel is about, right? Messy, delicious ramen.
- Anxiety Level: 8/10 (still wondering where my laundry will go, and if I've offended anyone yet).
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Tourist Traumas
- Morning: Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The iconic view! The hordes of tourists! The pushing and shoving! Survived, thanks to sheer stubbornness. The temple itself was stunning, the architecture breathtaking, the crowds…well, let's just say I'm considering investing in a personal space bubble. Took approximately 500 photos (which I’ll probably never look at again, but hey, proof I was there, right?)
- Mid-Morning: Tea Ceremony. This was the zen experience I was promised, folks! Except, I spilled the matcha on my sleeve because my hands are perpetually clumsy. I felt like a total idiot. The matcha tasted like bitter, green goodness. I'm still not sure if I enjoyed the tea or the performance more. It was like watching a very elegant dance… where everyone involved was on a tightrope.
- Lunch: Wandered down into the Gion district, which is SO. PRETTY. Got completely ripped off at a "traditional" lunch. The food was okay. I'm starting to suspect that finding truly amazing food in tourist hotspots is an Olympic sport.
- Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Shrine: The sea of orange torii gates. MIND. BLOWN. It's even more spectacular than the pictures. Walked (and walked, and walked) and just got lost in the moment. It felt like I was in a Miyazaki film and I was in a daze. Fell into a puddle, again.
- Evening: Okay, I went for a second helping of ramen at the place I had on Day 1. It was… divine. This is the true highlight of my trip: this ramen, and I'm going to eat it for the rest of my days in Kyoto.
- Emotional Reaction: 9/10 (Ramen and Fushimi Inari saved me).
- Anxiety Level: 6/10 (accepting the inevitable puddle encounters and ramen obsessions).
Day 3: Bamboo Forest & Deep Internal Conflict
- Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It's… ethereal. The light filtering through the bamboo is like stepping into a fairytale. Spent so much time just… staring. Felt like a Disney Princess.
- Mid Day: Tenryu-ji Temple: Spent a while wandering around the zen gardens, which was a nice way to relax. It was the opposite of the tourist crowds.
- Afternoon: Alright, so here's the confession: I was supposed to go to another museum or experience this or that historical site, I just didn't. I'm going to be honest. I was utterly exhausted. The cultural overload had hit me hard. I went back to the apartment to take a nap. I woke up a few hours later, feeling guilty for not maximizing my time.
- Evening: Went back to the ramen. Contemplated my life choices over a steaming bowl. Decided I could "maximize" my experience next day. Felt slightly less guilty.
- Quirky Observation: Japanese people are so polite! I swear, they'd probably apologize for walking into a wall. The level of politeness is both endearing and slightly unnerving.
- Emotional Reaction: 7/10 (that ramen… and the guilt).
- Anxiety Level: 7/10 (the "should I be doing more?" feeling is relentless)
Day 4: The Market, Kyoto's Hidden Heart
- Morning: Nishiki Market! A sensory overload in the best possible way. Pickles, fish, sweets, everything! I tried so many things, that I'm pretty sure my stomach thinks my my guts are having a party. Bought some weird sea creatures (that I'm not even sure I'll eat), some amazing green tea, and a cute tiny knife.
- Mid-Day: Wandered around some local shops and small places in Kyoto. I feel like I'm only slowly starting to grasp the culture here. I feel like I'm making progress from the first day (when I just wanted to cry).
- Afternoon: I got lost on the trains, again. Realized that I still don't have my bearings. The trains in Japan are so complex! I met some kind people who pointed me in the right direction.
- Evening: Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall izakaya (Japanese pub). Ordered a bunch of things on the menu I couldn't even pronounce. Survived. Had the best sake I've ever had.
- Messy Structure: Still finding myself getting lost daily, but, honestly, it's a weirdly fun learning experience.
- Emotional Reaction: 8/10, in the moment.
- Anxiety Level: 5/10 (Starting to feel less like a total idiot and more like a slightly-less-clueless tourist).
Day 5: Departure (and Existential Dread)
- Morning: One last ramen run. Because, obviously. Packing. Attempting to squeeze everything back into my absurdly small suitcase. Feeling a twinge of sadness about leaving Kyoto.
- Afternoon: Train to the airport. Last-minute souvenir shopping. The usual airport chaos. The crushing feeling of "Did I even do enough?" and "When can I come back?"
- Evening: Flight home. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. But also, filled with a strange sort of satisfaction.
- Opinionated Language: This trip was a mess. I got lost, spilled things, ate far too much, and generally flailed about like a hapless tourist. But it was also absolutely incredible. Kyoto is a city that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go.
- Final Thoughts: Maybe the tiny apartment was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to be present. To focus on the simple things, like the perfect bowl of ramen and the beauty of the bamboo forest. Maybe the imperfections, the mishaps, and the sheer messiness of the experience are what made it so unforgettable. Also, I need to learn Japanese. And possibly invest in a personal space bubble. And maybe a bigger suitcase?
Anxiety Level at Departure: 10/10 (Do I have enough snacks for the flight? Did I leave a charger behind? Am I going to miss the train?!?)
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. And next time, I'm bringing an empty suitcase…and a bigger appetite.
Darien Dockside Inn: Your Dream Waterfront Getaway Awaits!
Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Unveiling the RESI STAY Anekoji Secret (and My Chaotic Adventure!)
Okay, spill the tea! What *is* RESI STAY Anekoji, and why is it a "secret"?
So, the apartments are nice? Like, REALLY nice? Don't sugarcoat it.
The location – is it *actually* good? Or just marketing hype?
Tell me a story! What was *your* best experience there?
Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right?
Would you recommend RESI STAY Anekoji? Be honest!
Any tips for booking?
