psychtobe

Hi, would appreciate some feedback on the location of this hotel - some reviews at tripadvisor suggest the location is actually wonderful, but this thread does not seem to agree with that.

We are 2 adults and a 2 year old, we need a good location for 3 days of busy sightseeing/touristy stuff as we don't want to have to take a subway or bus more than necessary. The amenities are less important.

Is this close to the must-see tourist sites of Kyoto? Or would another hotel be better suited? Thanks for any feedback or alternative suggestions.

psychtobe

bumping for feedback, thanks

SportsTech

The hotel is not "downtown", it butts up against a hill that is part of a beautiful and extensive park/nature preserve. You can walk (without a 2 year old) to several gorgeous temples, and there is a subway stop close by that will get you wherever else you wish to go, but again, with a 2 year old you won't be walking to many of the places that would be easy to reach without a stroller. Unlike some other posters in this thread, I found the hotel to be perfectly adequate - although the staff IS surprisingly non-responsive for a Japanese property.

psychtobe

Thanks for the feedback - a litle confused by the bolded portion - are you saying this because 2 years olds are not allowed in the temples, or because they are not stroller accessible, or...??? We also have and can use a backpack carrier if that would help the situation.

iahphx

I brought my family with me to the Westin Miyako (I think my youngest was 5 at the time) and I think it's an exceptional place to stay with kids because there is some nearby green space. We also used the subway (it doesn't go everywhere), the buses (easy once you get the hang of it) and, once, a taxi.

I would stay here again.

SportsTech

No rules against 2 year olds, Japan is remarkably supportive of children in general and infants in particular. Just noting that it's quite a ways to the two temples we walked to (one in either direction along the mountainside) and further, I suspect, that you'd want to stroller with a 2 yr old. Agree with iahphx about the proximity to green space: the hotel is set in some beautiful gardens, and it would be easy to let a 2 yr old play outside with a little parental supervision.

Also as a note, it was a bit of a surprise to me to learn that Japanese temples aren't like Western churches: they're really large compounds with collections of buildings, some of them open to the elements on all sides, others enclosures with the equivalent of altars and shrines....set within a park and gardens with water and other elemental features. One temple we visited on the outskirts of Kyoto had at least a hundred "gates" in a park that must have been half a mile square - gorgeous, peaceful, and not like Western cathedrals at all - but a good place to contemplate nonetheless. Enjoy your trip!

CaptainG

http://kyotowinterspecial.com/specia...ns/westin.html

For those there this winter.

-- CaptainG

serfty

My wife and I are staying here in about a month and expect to be arriving mid afternoon. We have spent 11500 SPG ("SPG4/SPECIALTY SLECT") on:Can some please advise/confirm:

mrblueeyes

I was not able to find the shuttle at the train station. I ended up taking a cab.

I would not set your sights too high on this place. It was pretty old and the walls are paper thin. Also, even though it says "High Speed Internet" they still charge you 1500 Y per day for internet. I reported this to the manager about 3 months ago and they did not refund my money nor did they fix the misrepresentation on their website.

FlyMan

Unless your rate plan description said either "free" or "complimentary" High Speed Internet Access, I think it just means your reserved room has the HSIA capability. I just book a hotel in Hawaii with my corporate SET id and the rate plan description says "Includes Free High Speed Internet Access" fyi.

As for the shuttle bus from JR Kyoto station, it's tricky as there is no sign and you kind of have to know where it departs from - it's by the cab stand near Hachijo exit at the station. They used to have the remote check-in office right there and attendants could escort you to the bus stop, but they closed it last year unfortunately...

serfty

Thanks for that,

I have sent an email to the hotel asking for this information and the time table.

schriste

They have reopened the satellite office (It was open and functioning in November 2008 at any rate).

The following page from the Westin Miyako Japan website will provide all you need:

http://www.westinmiyako-kyoto.com/access/#en01

JBauer

Arriving with my wife at ITM (Osaka) around 8pm. How would we best then get to this Westin? Trains I presume?...Also, the hotel doesn't look bookable on SPG.com- is it possible its sold out for that week in May?

Thanks!

schriste

Take the limo bus... direct to the hotel:

http://www.okkbus.co.jp/timetable/un...&rosen=itm_kyt

The last bus is at 8:25pm

If you are on the JAL connection from Narita you can (usually) make it. I have twice.

As for sold out... is it during Golden Week? I assume Kyoto would be a popular destination for Japanese during this time.

Fulkerson

The golden week is usually around 4/29-5/5.