[Certified Facility Introduction] ibis Styles Kyoto Station: Achieving Both Environmental Protection and Profitability Through Rigorous Eco‑Cleaning

1. Facility Overview: A Compact, High‑Performing Team Driving Sustainability at Kyoto’s Gateway

Located directly in front of Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit, ibis Styles Kyoto Station welcomes a guest mix in which inbound travelers account for approximately 75–80%. Despite operating with a lean team of just 18 staff members, the hotel works as a unified group—together with its tenant restaurant and external engineering and cleaning partners—to meet Green Key standards.

2. Good Practices: Strategic “Eco‑Cleaning” Delivering Dramatic Results

The hotel’s primary focus has been a fundamental redesign of its cleaning operations. It introduced “eco‑cleaning” as the standard service, providing full cleaning every three days while limiting daily service to trash collection and towel replacement.
・Collaboration with Partner Companies: Working closely with a sustainability‑focused linen supplier, the hotel reduced fuel and water consumption associated with laundry operations.
・Contribution to Business Performance: As a result of these initiatives, the hotel succeeded in significantly increasing GOP (Gross Operating Profit) while maintaining overall revenue levels. The additional profit has been reinvested into staff benefits, creating a sustainable management cycle.
・Guest Response: With a high proportion of international guests, the operational changes were well‑received, and the hotel observed virtually no negative impact on guest reviews.

3. Challenges: The Importance of Continuous Fine‑Tuning Based on Facility Characteristics

Operational improvements also revealed challenges on the hardware side. When adjusting shower water flow to reduce consumption, the building’s structure caused hot‑water output to fluctuate with seasonal temperature changes.

・Lesson Learned: During winter, insufficient hot‑water volume led to guest feedback. This highlighted the need for ongoing, seasonal fine‑tuning rather than a “set‑and‑forget” approach. The hotel now recognizes this as a key area for continued improvement.

4. Message to Facilities Considering Implementation

The experience of ibis Styles Kyoto Station demonstrates that eco‑cleaning is a highly effective strategy—particularly for hotels with a high inbound ratio. By shifting from the traditional expectation of “daily full cleaning” to a three‑ or four‑day cycle, hotels can reduce environmental impact and operational costs simultaneously.
Building on this firsthand experience, the hotel continues to embed the spirit of Green Key at the core of its management practices.