We LOVED our stay at BnA Alter Museum and would happily stay again. I originally booked our stay here because my niece, who’s creative and works in style and artistic production, was traveling with us and I knew would appreciate the unique art rooms, created each by a different artist. We first were in a quirky, whimsical room with Murphy-style pull down beds. It was such fun. We extended our stay an extra day and were moved to a beautiful, calming room by a sculptural artist with gentle warm lighting, minimalist wooden pieces and 5 yen coins flowing along portions of the walls, floor and ceiling, with opportunity to add your own. This hotel provides a unique and modern experience while still offering distictive Japanese features (robes and low beds, dense mattresses, bathrooms you want to transport home with you, etc). The hotel was comfortable and quiet, the location was fantastic… a very close walk to beautiful, narrow traditional lanes along the river and Gion with its picturesque Kyoto charm, vibrant, modern shopping thoroughfares and massive covered market “maze” offering a mix of old world and new, food lanes, thrift shops, every kind of thing you can imagine, and frequented by locals and visitors alike (a place to spend a day and get happily lost, especially if the weather is challenging). Just beyond all these things, across the river and easily reached by foot are the famous temples and gardens of Kyoto. Hospitality is huge in Japan, but I can’t say enough about the staff at BnA Alter Museum… warm and approachable while still offering impeccable hospitality. In particular, my elderly mother joined us our third night there. The only room available (the beautiful 5-yen coin room) had very low beds. The staff made sure to put a good, stable chair in the room for her as requested specifically to aid her getting in and out of bed and offered to do more.

We didn’t dislike anything. Just things to be aware of: The space to move about or spread luggage and things out (at least in the two rooms we had) is very limited, and the bed height and density of mattresses and pillows may be challenging for some (though we were quite comfortable). I’d communicate with the staff beforehand if this is an issue for you. These aren’t criticisms, just things to know if you’re one who wants what you’re used to in a big hotel chain. We have no complaints whatsoever.

An elegant and contemporary hotel, in a central yet quiet location in Kyoto. Staff is very friendly and welcoming, as well as the overall feel of the stay. Art rooms are quite interesting and something unusual, pleasing to the eye.

Even tho is an art hotel, room could have used a tiny bit more attention in the details/finishes: both to make it more refined (wall paint or overall materials) and more comfortable (power socket positions, closets etc…). After all is not a cheap accommodation and it still needs to be cozy, not just beautiful (which undoubtedly is!). WiFi signal could be improved.

Location was right in the heart of Kyoto. Room was unique and slept all 4 of our guests easily. Space was clean, front desk provided water daily as there was no service to the room during our three night stay. They had a special for June where each guest could get a free drink at the bar. The drinks were AMAZING and staff and other guests were very friendly to chat with.

Shower had a stale smell in the air, not awful but weird. It was very clean, smell seemed to be coming from the ventilation. The area of Kyoto was very touristy, which was good and bad. Train station was a decent walk away (10 mins) so we used Uber a lot which was easy but a little expensive. Hotel shipped our bags to HND airport however we had to leave them 2 days in advance of our flight before noon which caught us off guard… we were still very glad we paid for this service!! The train to Tokyo was very full even when we booked 4 days in advance and back row seats for storing luggage were all taken.

WOW! If you are looking for an experience...look no further. For me, 50% of every vacation is the hotel, so I choose our hotels very carefully. I am so thankful that I chose BnA Alter Museum for our 3 day stay in Kyoto. First of all, the staff are EXCELLENT. Thank you to all of the staff that made our stay so memorable, especially Kuni, the bartender! We were able to switch rooms each night and have a different art experience each day. The staff graciously allowed us to tour various rooms and choose our next night's stay. Our final night, we upgraded to Eye's "Boredom" room which is designed like the human ear. All I can say is....WOW! If that room is available, do not hesitate to book. By far the most unique and amazing art experience. My husband and I stayed in three rooms: the shrimp basket, heterotopia, and Boredom. All the rooms were unique and fascinating, and I loved supporting the artists with our stay. At the time of our stay, we were also given complimentary drinks at the bar each night! An extra bonus! The staff were so kind to my mother-in-law as she celebrated her birthday, and BnA Alter Museum was a great pick for our Kyoto stay. The location is excellent for walking and the amazing staff recommended a very affordable parking lot for us to use during our 3 day stay. Right down the street from the hotel is an AMAZING gyoza place. You will know it by the line outside! The hotel is also within walking distance of shopping (Teramachi Kyogoku and Shinkyogoku) as well as the Gion district and train stations out to the Inshari shrine and the bamboo forest. Thanks, BnA Alter Museum for an awesome and memorable stay in Kyoto!

The room with the shrimp basket bed was BEAUTIFUL but admittedly difficult for two American people to share the bed as it was a little small and had a net very close to our faces as we slept. :) Unfortunately, the Dream room beds were too close to the ground and our elderly mothers could not get out of bed on their own. Thankfully, they were able to switch rooms to a huge bed that was very high off of the ground for them (the speaker room) which was also a very cool experience. All in all, unique and enjoyable. We were thankful for the many room options and experiences available to us.

The breakfast was great. Everything was fresh and delicious. On the second morning I tried the option with fermented beans and avocado, and it was quite delicious. The first day I had the salmon, also good, but something I can easily eat in USA. My husband and sons also liked their food as well (toast and toast with egg on top). We had the traveling room, where the art is based on sound. Listening to the sound while laying on the bed was an extraordinary experience. I wish we had taken time to listen even more. The free cocktails in the bar were great, especially the cardamom cocktail. We had some nice chats with the bartender. He carefully poured a coca-cola for my son, which was thoughtful. It helped my son feel like he was getting something special as well. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. We bought some of the art that was featured in the shop, and they are our best souveniers from Japan. The beds were comfortable and we slept well. The shower was great. We did not try the bathtub because it was really hot outside and a hot bath did not seem refreshing.... We only had 1.5 days, so we went to the Manga museum, the bamboo forest, and walked around Gion. The Manga museum was great.

I can't think of anything we did not like.

I chose to let the hotel randomly select my art room and I loved it. The room was spacious and very comfortable as well as full of great art. It had a little fridge as well as tea & coffee and you could pick amenities from the front desk. The complementary drink in the evening was a nice touch and I got talking with a great staff Yo Yo (who by the way spoke fluent French and great English). Breakfast was per-ordered, simple but perfect. The bed was very comfy and the bathroom perfectly formed (small but just perfect). Also location was awesome. Walking distance from center Kyoto

Nothing ! I wish I had been there longer

The breakfast here was genuinely great—I'm a bit of a tough food critic, but it really hit the spot and was a great way to start the day. The rooms had a fun, artsy vibe with lots of personality, which I really enjoyed. The staff were also super friendly and helpful in letting me know great places to eat around Kyoto.

I was only staying for three nights after coming from Tokyo, so it wasn’t a big deal—but there wasn’t really any storage space for clothes, which might be an issue for longer stays. Maybe it was just the room type (I stayed in the Superior Double Vault room), but worth noting.

Very friendly staff. Excellent location. We used the cafe for coffee and other refreshments, and we ordered a black sesame terrine and ice cream, which was fabulous! Every room had a different artistic theme and we all liked our rooms. I did, however, swop with my daughter as I prefer a light room, and l was originally allocated a very dark room. My daughter was very happy to swap! The complimentary cocktail every night was very welcome, and both barmen were extremely friendly and chatty.

I had a slight issue with the flow of hot water in my bathroom sink. I did report to reception so they could look at the issue. This wouldn't put me off returning to the hotel.

The concept was really cool! I appreciated the “living in art” idea. The room I stayed in connected beautifully with the location, The Tale of Genji, and the shifting lighting. It thoughtfully framed sleep as a dreamlike state, which I found both inspiring and meaningful. That said, as a hotel, it offered just okay comfort. The space was quite small, and I even bumped my toe on the concrete bed frame (concrete relates to the artwork’s concept). Still, the location was fantastic for the price.

I wish it were bigger and brighter, with more windows and a bit more space to breathe.

The staff was so helpful and friendly, and the concept of the rooms was beautiful and interesting. Really good breakfast, too! The staff spoke fluent English and the bartenders were great. I loved this place and will absolutely stay again. I extended my stay here when the Shinkansen got shut down for the day and took the opportunity to try a different room, and I hope I can come back to see more!

I love that the rooms were art pieces, but if I were to tweak the design I would have some kind of control for the lights by the bed instead of placing them all by the door so I'm not finding my way in the dark. One room had no convenient table to keep my glasses, phone, and water by the bed at night. It's fun for me, a person who is just happy to be in a weird hotel, but I think it's a design consideration that would keep me from recommending it to my parents, for example.