I am having trouble booking a hotel in kyoto Nov 26.
I will be travelling with my teenage son.
Arriving NRT on Nov 23. leaving out of KIX on Nov. 27
3 nights in tokyo already booked with hilton award stays.
Planning on taking the bullet train to kyoto.
Most of the recommended hotels show no availability.
A few hotels have a room, but with one single bed or occasionally,one double bed. Need 2 twin beds.
I have booked a stay at the hilton in osaka for backup.
I have been in tokyo once before
First time going to kyoto.
Would like to spend $150 to 250 range.
I am a frequent traveller, but dont speak any Japanese.
Any suggestions on where to stay.

Perhaps the Sunshine Bullet Train Tour to Kyoto will meet your needs.

Check out http://www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/igo/kyoto.html?gclid=COrcwMudtIgCFSZmYwodvD8vhw
Might save some money too, as the Bullet Train fare is heavily discounted on this tour. Not really a tour, You just get the train and hotel. But, it is fine. And, I suspect that Japan Rail (which is apparently behind Sunrise Tours) has more pull in getting rooms than you might. The other suggestion I've seen about this on other threads is to look for a traditional Ryokan Inn or a bed and breakfast.

...Any suggestions on where to stay.
You are the second or third recent poster trying to get rooms in Kyoto during that period. It seems to be tough for a variety of reasons having to do with special events in the area and the fall colors.

Where have you tried already? Perhaps we can suggest some other alternatives if we know what you have already determined is NOT available.

JR

PS: November is "Top" season for Kyoto, so most rates are 15 - 25% higher. A nice twin in a moderate property will run around 17,500 yen per night. The Kyoto Kokusai (International) Hotel fits your price range. If you can get in there, it is very nice and in a killer location. So is the Hotel Fujita and the Okura, which are near each other in the center of town. If the Search function is up, there have been discussions here about both, along with the Hyatt, which gets rave reviews.

PPS: Here is a link for a hotel service I have used and trust. If all else fails, look through the Kyoto listing and you might find something. Also, if you e-mail your needs to them, they may be able to locate something for you.

http://www.japanhotel.net/

It might also be more rewarding to return to Osaka in the evening as IMHO the food and nightlife are both a lot more accessible than in Kyoto. The latter has a long tradition in keeping it's best offerings sheltered and sometimes even off limits for the common visitor.

Don't know about Osaka food and nightlife, but Kyoto is no Tokyo. However, the day time attractions, palaces, gardens, temples are very worth the trip--keep in mind that Kyoto is quite scattered, tourist attractionwise, so you will need some time to see much.

Don't know about Osaka food and nightlife, but Kyoto is no Tokyo. However, the day time attractions, palaces, gardens, temples are very worth the trip--keep in mind that Kyoto is quite scattered, tourist attractionwise, so you will need some time to see much.

I rank Osaka above Tokyo, but that might (still) be a minority opinion. ;) And I'd also like to repeat an earlier recommendation of doing "theme days" in Kyoto and concentrating on a particular arts or area for a day.

I don't know, guys. The OP is traveling with his/her teenaged son. I wonder if hoppin' nightlife is on the agenda. :)

JR

I don't know, guys. The OP is traveling with his/her teenaged son. I wonder if hoppin' nightlife is on the agenda. :)

JR

There's always the ferris wheel at Osaka's most striking branch of Don Quijotes (http://static.flickr.com/39/80694201_a6cd042900_m.jpg). If I was a teenager I'd be very happy to see the sights of Kyoto, but I'd also be thrilled to walk around the streets of Nanba in the evening. Actually, I still feel that way!

Thanks for your help
This gives me some new options.
I had tried orbitz, travelocity, and the various US hotel sites; hyatt, holidayinn,westin. Also I had tried frommers and fodors for links to recommended hotels.
The combination bullet train and hotel sounds promising

And yes I am not planning on bar hopping with my son.
My goal is to expose him to the sites and daytime culture.

You might want to try the site: www.japanhotel.net.

I used this site to book a couple of my hotels, and it saved me money from the hotel's property site.

In Kyoto, I stayed at the Kyoto Garden Hotel. It was quite a good deal, although probably not at the level of the Hilton. There is free internet there, however!

The Kyoto Garden Hotel website doesn't show any availability throughout November, but maybe you can get it through the website.

Good luck!

If you're a Diamond the Hyatt Regency should waitlist you (and it's a very nice hotel). Otherwise trains run quite late back to Osaka from Kyoto which means that you could still enjoy a good kaiseki dinner in Kyoto (I respectfully disagree with those who recommend dining in Osaka).

I am having trouble booking a hotel in kyoto Nov 26.
I will be travelling with my teenage son.
Arriving NRT on Nov 23. leaving out of KIX on Nov. 27
3 nights in tokyo already booked with hilton award stays.
Planning on taking the bullet train to kyoto.
Most of the recommended hotels show no availability.
A few hotels have a room, but with one single bed or occasionally,one double bed. Need 2 twin beds.
I have booked a stay at the hilton in osaka for backup.
I have been in tokyo once before
First time going to kyoto.
Would like to spend $150 to 250 range.
I am a frequent traveller, but dont speak any Japanese.
Any suggestions on where to stay.

In most countries, I'd hesitate to stay in a hotel that was too cheap, but in Japan, the so-called business hotels offer extremely basic but safe and clean accommodations for less than $100 for a double or twin. You'll feel as if you're in a college dorm room, but you won't have to worry about bedbugs, moldy showers, or criminal types lurking in the hallways.

If you're a Diamond the Hyatt Regency should waitlist you (and it's a very nice hotel). Otherwise trains run quite late back to Osaka from Kyoto which means that you could still enjoy a good kaiseki dinner in Kyoto (I respectfully disagree with those who recommend dining in Osaka).

This is of course a matter of opinion but I'm not sure if Kaiseki is a good way to start the Japan experience. Many of the places serving that in Kyoto are quite formal, even a notch or two below the almost unaccessible top level.

I personally tried Kyo-Kaiseki for the first time after being invited by a local family who knew the restaurant staff. I wonder how the reception had been had I ventured there on my own.

If you're Hyatt Diamond: 72-Hour Guaranteed Room Availability.


If you're a Diamond the Hyatt Regency should waitlist you (and it's a very nice hotel). Otherwise trains run quite late back to Osaka from Kyoto which means that you could still enjoy a good kaiseki dinner in Kyoto (I respectfully disagree with those who recommend dining in Osaka).