Tune Stay Kyoto

Playing somewhat against type in this famously traditional city, Tune Stay Kyoto is a modern minimalist boutique hotel aimed at literate, rather than luxury-hungry, travelers. The centerpiece of the hotel is the lobby’s colossal library and staircase, featuring some 2,000-plus volumes selected by Numabooks for their connections to the city; the shelves descend to the lower level where you’ll find the hotel’s café. The rooms are compact, efficient, and simple to a degree that’s remarkable — there’s a shared kitchen for preparing your own meals, and common space for reading and relaxing.