Some friends and I are going to Kyoto for a few days, the second week in October. I'm assuming this is at least shoulder season, possibly off season.

Are there any moderately priced hotels that might be available for around $150/night? Is that at all a realistic figure for non-peak season?

We're clueless on what we want to do in Kyoto, but probably won't have a car. We'll need 2-3 rooms, with one person in each room. My friend has requested a room "with a d--n bathroom in it!" after reading about communal baths. I guess this implies a Western style hotel.

So any suggestions?

October is actually almost the best time to visit Kyoto, along with April, May, and September. The Japanese summer is too humid for most people to be comfortable, and the winter is cold. Thus I doubt this can be called off-season in Kyoto.

However, for $150 you should easily be able to find something in a **** or better. For instance, even rack rate for a standard double at the Miyako (soon to be Westin) is Y19,000, or Y18,000 at the brand new Grandvia atop the Kyoto station complex.
Kyoto has fewer and lesser high-end hotels than Tokyo or Osaka, as it does not attract many business people. Consequently, prices are lower too.

If your friend insists on a private bathroom, you are limited to western-style accomodations. High end ryokans with private bathrooms cost much more than $150.

As for the 'communal bathrooms', keep in mind the actual bathing area in inexpensive ryokans is oftentimes too small to accomodate more than one person, and thus becomes private http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif The common areas are clean and do not smell like the typical college facility either!

The "Three sisters inn" (INN RAKUTSOA MAIN)is where, after many mistakes, I've stayed in Kyoto the last 10 times. GREAT location (a block from Heaiian shrine), Ryokan style, but some rooms with private bath (and the Japanese tubs are bookable so your companion can bathe alone), moderate (2 room "suite" with futon sleep room, sitting room, private bath was about $150. and the 3 sisters who run the place are delightful. NOT the Miyako, but warm and caring and probably the right mix of tradition and western for first timers.

Steve

Book early for October! Kyoto is a prime destination for Japanese; once the maple leaves start turning, they are there in droves.

I stayed at both a ryokan and the Granvia on my one and only visit to Kyoto (a year ago). A traditional ryokan room is a very special experience, and one I'm very glad I had. Yet one night on tatami mats was enough to have me almost kissing my Western bed in gratitude at the Granvia.

The Granvia is attached to the train station, so is marvelously easy to reach if you come by train from Tokyo or Osaka. It is modern, has a nice coffee shop, and has a good Japanese style masseuse in the swimming pool area. It is easy to book tours of Kyoto that leave from the train station.

Since you are going for several nights, you might consider a mix of the ryokan recommended above and the Granvia.

You'll find the Granvia website at http://www.granvia-kyoto.co.jp/index2.html

(edited to add website)

[This message has been edited by SanDiego1K (edited 02-13-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SanDiego1K:
Yet one night on tatami mats was enough to have me almost kissing my Western bed in gratitude at the Granvia. </font>

Hmm, did you forget to unfold your futon and sleep right on the tatami mat? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I will be staying next week at the Rihga Royal in Kyoto which claims to be a "first class hotel'. I got a great rate of around $120 for a deluxe double room. It sounds wonderful & the location is good. I will let you know if it lives up to its billing when I get back. The web site I found it at is
www.travelnow.com (http://www.travelnow.com)

If you can afford it the Myako is a great hotel.

There is plenty of choice in terms of hotels but be aware that it's a popular season for Japanese to visit Kyoto, as mentioned above.

There is plenty to do but my absolute favorite is the park and dry garden of the Rioanji - I go there each time I'm in Japan.

It's a really amazing Japanese garden.

Another great thing to do is visit the numerous palaces. Be aware that you need to register, usually one day in advance, so bring your passport along. It's typically free of charge but is compulsory (Locals must register at least 7 days prior).

In Kyoto there is plenty of shopping, aim for the food market, it leads into a more trendier area with lots of small shops (ideal for trainers, toys, etc..).

Rooms in Japan are typically quite small and Kyoto is no exception. As long as you make sure that the bathroom is "western style" you shouldn't have any bad surprises (mind you it really isn't that bad, you just need to get used to the Japanese toilets...)


There are of course some amazing suite at the Myako (Sky suites) but not quite you're looking for.

[This message has been edited by Canista (edited 02-15-2002).]

I just got back from Kyoto yesterday & I highly recommend the Rihga Royal. It was 2 blocks from Kyoto station--for buses & trains & they run a free shuttle to the staion & back every 15 minutes. Our room was lovely with many amenities---including a HEATED TOILET SEAT!!! The hotel staff was excellent & the concierge/travel assistance was unbelievably helpful (in English). Email me for details. I think the special rate I got was a little over $100 plus taxes, service charges etc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
Our room was lovely with many amenities---including a HEATED TOILET SEAT!!!</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif Yes, the Japanese are light-years ahead of the rest of the world in toilet technology...
I have yet to figure out why the top-end models have a wireless remote control for what should be a sedentary user.

we stayed at the righa a couple of years ago. it was part of a tour so don't know what the price was..... but we found that the the food was good and inexpensive at the train station. the top 2 floors are an extensive food court..... please note - we are no longer into "dining as an art form". thought that the righa was fine.

We stay in Kyoto garden hotel two years ago.
http://www.kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp/index_e.html
You can make reservation through websit. I just check the rate for double room is only 7000 yen. I can say these price is super. The location is only three min walk from Subway. The hotel room is very clean but a little small. But I think the hotel room are all small compared to American standard.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
Our room was lovely with many amenities---including a HEATED TOILET SEAT!!!</font>

Electrically heated? Pray that there's no short circuit http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Electrically heated? Pray that there's no short circuit http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif</font>

Basic models have electically heated seats, and are mostly found in colder Hokkaido. Not really a luxury since many Japanese WC's are unheated.

The nicer models, which are a luxury, use the seat as a hot water reservoir for the 'wash' function (with adjustable temperature, pressure, and duration).

The top-end models might include exotic features such as anti-bacterial coating, air dryer, noise generator (makes flushing sounds to cover embarrassing moments), etc. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif


Another humorous refinement is the talking AC remote control with a lady bowing thrice in apology on the built-in LCD in response on an impossible request (e.g. make the room 120F).

This was one of those real nice toilet/bidet combos by Toto. It's not that the bathroom was cold but there was definately something special about sitting on a nice warm seat.