Hyatt Gold Passport - Advice for Japan stay

I have been searching for award and certificate stays in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone. The challenge I have is that I would need a room that could accommodate 3 guests and for the most, I have not been very successful. The only exception was the PH Tokyo, where I was able to use my free suite nights (and I am definitely not complaining about this one, I'm looking forward to it):)

Any experiences with booking a base room on points or with certificates for 2 guests then upgrading to a larger room that could accommodate one more guest?

The reason I ask (and I understand all programs are different) is that I was able to book a room with SPG and for an additional fee have 3 guests in a room.

Rooms at the Hyatt in Hakone, even the entry level rooms, are quite large. You might want to call the hotel directly and ask whether they can handle three in a room.

The same is not true for the HR in Kyoto, I think three people in a regular room might be a bit of a challenge, although I am no expert on this hotel.

Virtually all Park Suites at the PH Tokyo (the level you likely will get) have two queen size beds so can accommodate three people.

I have stayed in a standard king room before at HR Kyoto, and it definitely was not large enough to accommodate a third guest. At this hotel and most others in Kyoto, for three guests you will need either two rooms or a larger room or suite category.

I did an award last month at the HR in Tokyo over the phone for 3 adults. Extra charge on top of the 12k points was 3465 yen per night. When I asked my PL rep to do it or ask, couldn't be done. I had the GP line, asked for them to connect me to the HR directly and they did it. Got what I wanted/needed.

Rooms at the Hyatt in Hakone, even the entry level rooms, are quite large. You might want to call the hotel directly and ask whether they can handle three in a room.

The same is not true for the HR in Kyoto, I think three people in a regular room might be a bit of a challenge, although I am no expert on this hotel.

Virtually all Park Suites at the PH Tokyo (the level you likely will get) have two queen size beds so can accommodate three people.

Really? I heard twin rooms at PHT have double beds. Just a warning to OP in case that makes a difference.

For example, the PHT website says that the Park Suite Twin has two double beds here (http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/rooms/room-description.jsp?chooseLocale=&start=8).

I have a friend who stated that PHT staff at check-in described the twin rooms as having queen size beds, but that the beds are in fact more similar to double beds. He stayed with his wife and requested a king bed room, but was only able to get a twin room with "queen beds" he was told at check-in. But, it was difficult for them to sleep comfortably on one of the "queen" beds because in fact the beds were probably doubles. Supposedly he even pointed out the website description to PHT staff that they are wrong in describing twin rooms as having "queens." LOL. How embarrassing for PHT if that really happened.

Thank you for the replies.
I did an award last month at the HR in Tokyo over the phone for 3 adults. Extra charge on top of the 12k points was 3465 yen per night. When I asked my PL rep to do it or ask, couldn't be done. I had the GP line, asked for them to connect me to the HR directly and they did it. Got what I wanted/needed.
That's great news, exactly what I needed, can this be done calling the Diamond line?

Rooms at the Hyatt in Hakone, even the entry level rooms, are quite large. You might want to call the hotel directly and ask whether they can handle three in a room.

When I called the diamond line they offered a lower rate, around 39k JPY plus 3k points.

I have stayed in a standard king room before at HR Kyoto, and it definitely was not large enough to accommodate a third guest. At this hotel and most others in Kyoto, for three guests you will need either two rooms or a larger room or suite category.
I did see Kyoto rooms were on the smaller side, but was hoping I could pay extra cash or points rather than 2 rooms

Really? I heard twin rooms at PHT have double beds. Just a warning to OP in case that makes a difference.

For example, the PHT website says that the Park Suite Twin has two double beds here (http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/rooms/room-description.jsp?chooseLocale=&start=8).

I have a friend who stated that PHT staff at check-in described the twin rooms as having queen size beds, but that the beds are in fact more similar to double beds. He stayed with his wife and requested a king bed room, but was only able to get a twin room with "queen beds" he was told at check-in. But, it was difficult for them to sleep comfortably on one of the "queen" beds because in fact the beds were probably doubles. Supposedly he even pointed out the website description to PHT staff that they are wrong in describing twin rooms as having "queens." LOL. How embarrassing for PHT if that really happened.
Thanks for the heads up. I do have my free suite night booked and keeping all fingers crossed that they let us keep the suite.

Really? I heard twin rooms at PHT have double beds. Just a warning to OP in case that makes a difference.

For example, the PHT website says that the Park Suite Twin has two double beds here (http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/rooms/room-description.jsp?chooseLocale=&start=8).

I have a friend who stated that PHT staff at check-in described the twin rooms as having queen size beds, but that the beds are in fact more similar to double beds. He stayed with his wife and requested a king bed room, but was only able to get a twin room with "queen beds" he was told at check-in. But, it was difficult for them to sleep comfortably on one of the "queen" beds because in fact the beds were probably doubles. Supposedly he even pointed out the website description to PHT staff that they are wrong in describing twin rooms as having "queens." LOL. How embarrassing for PHT if that really happened.

It's certainly true that I never measured the beds, but they seemed plenty big for two to me. Guess it depends on the size of the people! I am referring to the beds in the Park Suites here, not the regular rooms.

So I called to inquire about adding a 3rd guest for award night on points at the GH Tokyo and was told it was possible, even though it was not available online. I was offered the 2 options below. Would the difference between these two rooms be just the Club access? Hate to say this, but "as a Diamond guest ;)" wouldn't I have access to the Club? The agent said it would be at the hotel discretion...:confused:

Gold Passport Award Club Twin 22000 pts
Gold Passport Award Grand Twin 18000 pts

In summary, is it worth booking the Club room for 22000 pts over 18000?

So I called to inquire about adding a 3rd guest for award night on points at the GH Tokyo and was told it was possible, even though it was not available online. I was offered the 2 options below. Would the difference between these two rooms be just the Club access? Hate to say this, but "as a Diamond guest ;)" wouldn't I have access to the Club? The agent said it would be at the hotel discretion...:confused:

Gold Passport Award Club Twin 22000 pts
Gold Passport Award Grand Twin 18000 pts

In summary, is it worth booking the Club room for 22000 pts over 18000?

Book the Grand Twin - as a Diamond, you should get Club access anyways - I have not heard of this property playing games. Should you be denied Club access, you should still get breakfast in the restaurant and 2500 points back for the say for denied club access.

So I called to inquire about adding a 3rd guest for award night on points at the GH Tokyo and was told it was possible, even though it was not available online. I was offered the 2 options below. Would the difference between these two rooms be just the Club access? Hate to say this, but "as a Diamond guest ;)" wouldn't I have access to the Club? The agent said it would be at the hotel discretion...:confused:

Gold Passport Award Club Twin 22000 pts
Gold Passport Award Grand Twin 18000 pts

In summary, is it worth booking the Club room for 22000 pts over 18000?

If you're still considering the PH Tokyo, the room description online makes it sound quite large.

I booked a stay for next month at the PH Tokyo on free night awards certificate then emailed the hotel to tell them we'd have a 3rd person join us. Not only did they email back that they would upgrade us to a Park Deluxe Twin (And I am only a Plat, thanks to the Hyatt Chase Card), but that they would accomodate our 3rd with a rollaway at no extra charge.

Book the Grand Twin - as a Diamond, you should get Club access anyways - I have not heard of this property playing games. Should you be denied Club access, you should still get breakfast in the restaurant and 2500 points back for the say for denied club access.
Thanks peteropny, I went ahead and booked the Grand Twin for 3 (would registered guests have access as well?
Interestingly enough, I received an email from the hotel stating that max occupancy is 2 and asked me to confirm "the small space" and additional charge of 5,000 JPY.
Quite a different experience from the PH Tokyo, they honored the booking and did not charge any additional fee.
Not sure if the difference is I received a call from Consumer Affairs and they contacted PHT and got back to me. The person that sent the email from GH Tokyo did not specify his/her position.
I appreciate it is not a significant charge, but in essence I was told they will squeeze in a rollaway and charge extra after the booking was confirmed.

If you're still considering the PH Tokyo, the room description online makes it sound quite large.

I booked a stay for next month at the PH Tokyo on free night awards certificate then emailed the hotel to tell them we'd have a 3rd person join us. Not only did they email back that they would upgrade us to a Park Deluxe Twin (And I am only a Plat, thanks to the Hyatt Chase Card), but that they would accomodate our 3rd with a rollaway at no extra charge.
Thank you for your input, I also booked PH with certificate and they were great!

Thanks peteropny, I went ahead and booked the Grand Twin for 3 (would registered guests have access as well?

Since you booked (and paid for) 3 guests - all should have access.