Maana Kamo

Maana Kamo, a Michelin Key Selected property in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, offers a unique and highly praised accommodation experience, blending traditional Japanese architecture with modern design and comfort. Housed in a thoughtfully restored Kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse), it provides guests with an authentic yet luxurious stay.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Maana Kamo generally receives excellent feedback, with an average review score of 8.8 based on 19 reviews, and an "excellent" rating for its facilities. Agoda also shows an "8.1 Excellent" rating from 24 reviews, highlighting excellent room comfort and quality. Guests frequently praise its adaptive reuse design, authentic ambiance, and serene atmosphere, making it a memorable and unique place to stay in Kyoto. The property is managed by Maana Homes, which has an overall company review score of 8.8.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly enamored with Maana Kamo's distinctive design, which celebrates the building's history and Japanese craftsmanship. Key highlights include:

• Design & Aesthetics: An "adaptive reuse design" of an old Japanese home, featuring modern touches while maintaining an authentic, traditional feel. The minimalist aesthetic incorporates exposed dark wood, tatami mat floors, rich clay fixtures, and ceramics, embodying the concept of wabi-sabi. The interiors are often described as moody, playing with shadow and light, and are popular among designers and photographers.
• Amenities: A private garden and an oversized, onsen-style bathtub are frequently mentioned as beloved features, offering a tranquil retreat within the home.
• Authenticity: The property aims to offer a journey that awakens the senses, blending Japan's timeless wisdom into modern life and immersing guests in Kyoto's simple yet profound way of living.

3. Room Quality

Maana Kamo offers a 5-star holiday home experience, featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms within its 863 square feet (80 square meters) of space. Accommodating up to five or six guests, the master bedroom typically has a queen bed, while a tatami room provides space for up to three futons.

Rooms are equipped with modern comforts such as air-conditioning, a washing machine, and a fully fitted kitchen. Guests appreciate the traditional features seamlessly blending with modern functionality, including a tatami living room and a small garden patio. The interiors are clutter-free with minimal decorations and clever hidden storage. Some units also include private indoor hot tubs. It's noted that the two-story home is connected by stairs only and lacks elevators.

4. Dining Experience

While Maana Kamo operates more as a private holiday home with a fully equipped kitchen, it does offer some dining-related services and is near various local eateries.

• Self-Catering: The property includes a large kitchen with an island and dining space, outfitted with essentials like ceramic tea sets and tableware.
• Food Delivery & Nearby Options: Dinner delivery service from local seafood restaurant Ototojet is available. The surrounding neighborhood boasts local cafes and small shops. For instance, Söt Coffee Roaster Kyoto is a 3-minute walk away, and other local dining spots are within a 5-6 minute walk.
• Breakfast (Other Maana Properties): While not explicitly for Maana Kamo, other Maana properties like Maana Kiyomizu offer a highly-rated Japanese breakfast served daily at Kissa Kishin, utilizing farm-fresh local ingredients.

5. Service & Staff

Maana Kamo emphasizes personalized hospitality. Guests benefit from private check-in and check-out services, ensuring a smooth arrival and departure. While there isn't a traditional front desk, guests receive check-in instructions and an access code via email before arrival, and online registration is required. The staff is generally rated positively, scoring 8.1 in one aggregate review. The overarching philosophy of Maana Homes is to welcome guests with warmth and attentiveness, creating a thoughtful and calm environment.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama Ward, Maana Kamo offers a prime location for exploring the city.

• Proximity to Attractions: It is less than 0.6 miles (around 1 km) from Sanjusangen-do Temple and 1.1 miles (around 1.7 km) from Kyoto Station. Gion Shijo Station and Kiyomizu-dera Temple are also nearby. Popular landmarks like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street are within a short walk. The Kamo River is also within a 10-minute walk.
• Public Transport: Gojo-Kiyomizu Station is a five-minute walk away, and taxis and buses are readily available, providing good connectivity throughout Kyoto. Gojo Station is also a 14-minute walk.
• Airport Access: Kansai International Airport (KIX) is about 75 km away, with a Haruka Limited Express train to Kyoto Station taking approximately 75 minutes. Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) is about 50 km away, with an Airport Limousine Bus to Kyoto Station taking around 55 minutes. From Kyoto Station, a short 10-minute bus or taxi ride can get you to Maana Kamo.

7. Value & Pricing

Maana Kamo is positioned as a premium offering, with an average room rate starting at $500+, which is considerably higher than the typical Kyoto hotel room average of $151 to $200. Some sources indicate a starting price of $1,159 per night. Guests recognize they are investing in an "extraordinary experience" that blends luxury with cultural immersion. However, the "value for money" aspect receives a score of 6.6 in one review breakdown. A city tax ranging from JPY 100 to JPY 10,000 per person, per night, based on the nightly room rate, applies.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Noise & Location Perception: Despite being in a historic district, some guests found the immediate street location to be noisy and "boring".
• Practicality of Living Space: One guest mentioned the living space was "not practical for comfort" and the kitchen "poorly stocked," lacking some amenities they had become accustomed to in other accommodations.
• Size: The 863 square feet (80 sq m) might feel a bit "snug" for those accustomed to larger accommodations.
• Accessibility: The property is a two-story home connected by stairs only and does not have elevators, making it potentially unsuitable for guests with mobility needs as it does not appear to be wheelchair accessible.
• Amenities (Minor): One review noted the absence of pajamas and face cleaning sets, which they had found in other accommodations.
• Policies: Smoking and pets are not allowed, and quiet hours are enforced between midnight and 6 AM. Parties and events are also strictly prohibited.
• Safety Features: Some listings do not explicitly report the presence of carbon monoxide or smoke detectors, suggesting guests might consider bringing their own portable detectors.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. viewsfromjapan.com
3. thespaces.com
4. michelin.com
5. michelin.com
6. agoda.com
7. veronikasadventure.com
8. ikyu.com
9. maanahomes.com
10. hotels.com
11. expedia.com
12. ahotellife.com
13. maanahomes.com
14. booking.com