mahasamatman

While this property does have a lounge, it's basically the "Red Carpet Club" of hotel lounges.

Shareholder

Anyone know why no beer on Sunday?! I'll be there on a Sunday and this truly distresses me...

BKKLEE

After 30 December 11, SPG.com has no inventory loaded for using points to book "free nights" for any dates in 2012

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Give them a chance to load them up. It will happen.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

This probably does not matter to many but upon check-out you will be asked to select between Miyako points or SPG points/credit. Both will nolonger be earned.

Shareholder

Wasn't asked about points other than if I wanted SPG points as my amenity this afternoon when I checked in. As for no beer today, Sunday, now it's because the lounge closes at 5p on Sundays. Doesn't seem like much of a loss, must agree with the RCC analogy. Disappointing compared spreads found at other Asian properties. (Bought a couple of cans at the Kintetsu department store.) Was given a breakfast voucher for tomorrow morning. Booked one of those Y8500 rooms but was upgraded to a renovated Club room on the 18th floor. Very nice, view to the south though. Air conditioning worked fine to cool the room down as the sun had been streaming through all day before I arrived. There are also two small "slats" below the windows that open for fresh air entry.

Can't understand negative comments about this property. Check-in reception was a very friendly young woman who explained my benefits and what all the slips of paper she gave me were for. Room is very large by Japanese standards (about twice the size as the one I had on the Club level at the CP on my last trip) and seems to have everything one could wish for...other than a comp bottle of water. Guess regular rooms that have not been upgraded are different.

Easy to find from the Kintetsu RR station (exits 12 or 13 as posted). Took the K-line in from Kyoto with one transfer. Used shuttle from the Westin Kyoto so a breeze getting to the station. Time to check out what's new in electronics at Bic. Tomorrow Osaka Castle and a history lesson before moving over to the Westin for my final night here.

LLJFK88

I'm going to be staying here on Sat. Jan. 7th. Our flight gets into KIX at 9:15, expect to be at the hotel by 11 AM. We want to go to Universal Studios Japan for the day, it shouldn't be a problem to leave our bags with them as I assume a room wouldn't be ready for that early of a check in. I have no status, but am staying as an award night.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

You should be 100% correct. Your bags should be very safe with them. Of course take any important items.

LLJFK88

That's what I thought, just wanted to make sure! Thanks for the quick reply.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

We are here for one night before moving to Westin Kyoto. As a P received a upgrade to a "junior suite". I would say the room is pretty junior aka small. Did not even need to ask at Front Desk. The Lounge continues to have very limited hours but Ps are treated very well with the full buffet breakfast which my wife does like. Last night at the Kintetsu Department store next door on level B2 we found red bean pastry (gozasorou) being freshly made for 80 yen each. They do have white bean also. It was nice and hot. One of the best we've had. If you go within the last hour many of the food items are discounted. Not all shops such as red bean. From KIX we took the bus in. Travel time less than one hour. Stand 7 at KIX. Buy your tickets from the small window outside which is part of the KIX terminal building. Using points here is a bargain given the dollar yen relationship esp when you have more than one person in the room. Off to Kyoto!

imm2b

You are making me hungry. Japanese bean pastries are my favorite. I'll have to try them the next time I am there...Happy Thanksgivings!

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Thank you. Japan is in full Christmas mode. No Thanksgiving here. This morning from the Hotel we took the subway with a change in Namba to Umeda. At Umeda we took the JR line to Kyoto Station then the bus to the Westin. Had a great day in Kyoto. See that thread. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

LLJFK88

I'm staying here in January. I got the Kintetsu Wide Pass which includes the bus from KIX to Osaka-Uehommachi (basically right to the hotel). Was the whole process pretty easy?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Yes. No worries. From KIX at bus stand number 7. The bus will stop a little beyond the bell stand. If you need a porter at the hotel just summon one (go to the desk) while luggage is being unloaded from bus.

LLJFK88

We're actually traveling really light and are planning on going to Universal Studios Japan for the day (our flight gets in at 9:15 AM, expect to be at the hotel by 10:30 AM) so we're planning on leaving the luggage with them because I assume our rooms won't be ready that early.

Thanks for the quick reply.