Westin Miyako, Kyoto, Japan [Master Thread]
#256
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: AA EXP, PC PLT, SPG GLD
Posts: 306
Checked in here and was told I got upgraded to a deluxe room, but I'm not sure. Is it possible to get Exec Club access using points? I'm already paying extra $ on a C&P stay for a third guest , but 2950 JPY x 3 per day for breakfast is a lot. I'm a lowly Gold, so no free breakfast. Are there any good options within walking distance?
#257
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
is there a direct bus from close to the Hotel to Kyoto station? I know theres a free shuttle and a subway a very short walk.
But 1 option is I will buy a bus pass the couple of days in town which is 500Y per day while a bus and subway is 1200Y. So in case I just missed the shuttle or its full I can opt to take a bus if there is 1 that doesnt require making a transfer
tia
But 1 option is I will buy a bus pass the couple of days in town which is 500Y per day while a bus and subway is 1200Y. So in case I just missed the shuttle or its full I can opt to take a bus if there is 1 that doesnt require making a transfer
tia
#258
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,002
The shuttle bus runs to a timetable which it adheres to pretty tightly, so with a bit of planning you should be ok. If you do miss it, then from memory it is a short walk (5 minutes) down the road to a bus stop with services through to town.
We certainly came back to the hotel this way when travelling on a bus card when were in Kyoto, but we always caught the shuttle bus in to town and Kyoto station.
Hopefully someone with a slightly less hazy memory of the bus service will be along shortly to confirm or correct me!
We certainly came back to the hotel this way when travelling on a bus card when were in Kyoto, but we always caught the shuttle bus in to town and Kyoto station.
Hopefully someone with a slightly less hazy memory of the bus service will be along shortly to confirm or correct me!
#259
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
craz I've never done the bus to/from Kyoto Station. But you should have no trouble yes with little planning using shuttle. The subway is right around the corner. Any bus option would get you more wet with rain than the short walk to subway station. That being said google maps should be very accurate letting you know bus options. At Kyoto Station the major bus transport lines are on the opposite side of the pick-up location for the Westin shuttle. The Station is easy to navigate. Just stay on the upper (above ground) levels. Even the basement areas are not that much of a maze. Enjoy!
#260
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
craz I've never done the bus to/from Kyoto Station. But you should have no trouble yes with little planning using shuttle. The subway is right around the corner. Any bus option would get you more wet with rain than the short walk to subway station. That being said google maps should be very accurate letting you know bus options. At Kyoto Station the major bus transport lines are on the opposite side of the pick-up location for the Westin shuttle. The Station is easy to navigate. Just stay on the upper (above ground) levels. Even the basement areas are not that much of a maze. Enjoy!
I hope to make use of the shuttle but its nice to know my options should I want to avail myself of them
Didnt know it was the rainy season now, oh well it will be what it is
#261
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
If you miss the shuttle at Kyoto Station go to the revolving sushi restaurant which is to the right if looking back towards the Station from the shuttle stop. Enjoyable way to spend time.
The rainy season will end by mid July. My wife cautions every year is different so do not be discouraged. Enjoy Kyoto!
The rainy season will end by mid July. My wife cautions every year is different so do not be discouraged. Enjoy Kyoto!
#262
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
Suites
I see upthread they have 17 jr. suites and 12 "executive suites." On this topic I have two questions:
1) Is there much of a difference between the two?
2) Using my "suite nights" I can only select up to the jr. suite. If I do not use my suite nights at all and just hope for an at-check-in-ug, what are my chances? As a plat, am I likely to get a Jr. suite? What about the exec? If it's a special occasion (which it is), does that help?
Any input/experience would be great.
PS - dates are 8/31 -9/3
1) Is there much of a difference between the two?
2) Using my "suite nights" I can only select up to the jr. suite. If I do not use my suite nights at all and just hope for an at-check-in-ug, what are my chances? As a plat, am I likely to get a Jr. suite? What about the exec? If it's a special occasion (which it is), does that help?
Any input/experience would be great.
PS - dates are 8/31 -9/3
#263
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
My take from years of visiting this hotel is anything that has a door would be a suite. A junior suite would be a larger room but in the past we have received junior suites as stated by hotel that are more like a traditional suite with a door. These are usually in the older "renovated" area of the hotel without much of a higher view.
I think your timing is pretty good as can not think of any major Japanese holidays during the period. It is a weekend so that ALWAYS comes into play as a negative. Even with our multiple multiple stays I do not hold out hope anymore for exec suite. You should contact the hotel letting them know you are putting in for suite upgrade and also kindly asking for additional consideration if possible. We very much enjoyed our last upgrade and it was not a full suite. Enjoy Kyoto!
I think your timing is pretty good as can not think of any major Japanese holidays during the period. It is a weekend so that ALWAYS comes into play as a negative. Even with our multiple multiple stays I do not hold out hope anymore for exec suite. You should contact the hotel letting them know you are putting in for suite upgrade and also kindly asking for additional consideration if possible. We very much enjoyed our last upgrade and it was not a full suite. Enjoy Kyoto!
#264
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
just a heads up, I made my award res a few months ago for 4/30-5/3 when the rate was close to $350 per night and before it was announced it was going up to a Cat5 from a Cat4
I thought Id give a peek to see what the room inventory looked like to see what my chances were for an Upgrade out of the lowest room type and saw the Rate was now 11000Y per night. So I just CXed my award stay (10k per night) the 11k is a non-refundable rate since my res is this coming Mon and Im on a pd tkt a no-brainer to pay and save the Pts when I can get a better use then .0135 per pt
I thought Id give a peek to see what the room inventory looked like to see what my chances were for an Upgrade out of the lowest room type and saw the Rate was now 11000Y per night. So I just CXed my award stay (10k per night) the 11k is a non-refundable rate since my res is this coming Mon and Im on a pd tkt a no-brainer to pay and save the Pts when I can get a better use then .0135 per pt
#265
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
My take from years of visiting this hotel is anything that has a door would be a suite. A junior suite would be a larger room but in the past we have received junior suites as stated by hotel that are more like a traditional suite with a door. These are usually in the older "renovated" area of the hotel without much of a higher view.
I think your timing is pretty good as can not think of any major Japanese holidays during the period. It is a weekend so that ALWAYS comes into play as a negative. Even with our multiple multiple stays I do not hold out hope anymore for exec suite. You should contact the hotel letting them know you are putting in for suite upgrade and also kindly asking for additional consideration if possible. We very much enjoyed our last upgrade and it was not a full suite. Enjoy Kyoto!
I think your timing is pretty good as can not think of any major Japanese holidays during the period. It is a weekend so that ALWAYS comes into play as a negative. Even with our multiple multiple stays I do not hold out hope anymore for exec suite. You should contact the hotel letting them know you are putting in for suite upgrade and also kindly asking for additional consideration if possible. We very much enjoyed our last upgrade and it was not a full suite. Enjoy Kyoto!
Got off the elevator and walked passed all these rooms with 'SPG preferred" written on them to what seems to be an extenstion wing. said to myself at least its a non-smoking room. Get to 1116 and it says "The Residence" under the room #.
Turn sout to be a very large room with a 50" flat screen. could find the a/c controls so I called and was told its on the wall. i checked the walls again and then the phone rang with an apology seems the Suites have the controls next to the bed on the night stand. This morn I peeked into a double bed room that had the SPG on it and boy is it tiny. Now my room has that 50" TV in the middle to divide the room in 1/2 so could be its a JR suite I dont care as long as its non-smoking and at a min 2x the size of the rooms just off the elevator.The Exec lounge is on the 10th floor so all I need to do is to walk straight to the elexvator and take the staircase down 1 floor. Im in the South wing
#266
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
craz I've never done the bus to/from Kyoto Station. But you should have no trouble yes with little planning using shuttle. The subway is right around the corner. Any bus option would get you more wet with rain than the short walk to subway station. That being said google maps should be very accurate letting you know bus options. At Kyoto Station the major bus transport lines are on the opposite side of the pick-up location for the Westin shuttle. The Station is easy to navigate. Just stay on the upper (above ground) levels. Even the basement areas are not that much of a maze. Enjoy!
I will say had I had checked bags it would have been a big hassle, I think anyone checking bags should do themselves a favor if they wont be riding the rails all over but staying put in Kyoto, to take the Limo-Bus instead of the train. @ KIX they can wheel the cart up to the bus and at Kyoto its a small walk across the street to the hotel shuttle. Alot easier then schelping bags up and down at both KIX and here in Kyoto
OT why do hotels get brandd as Westins when they dont have the heavenly shower or bed? Since I made out very nicely with an upgrade Im not gonna be complaining and calling up about it. Its not my 1st time this has happened and in kyoto its not like I had a choice of which *W to stay at but it would be nice if there was some consistency
#268
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,114
Which sounds like a faaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr cry from what this Platinum member received last time.
Yes, enjoy Kyoto -- what a wonderful city. And when you're tired of temples and culture, go to the monkey park -- it's very cool!
Yes, enjoy Kyoto -- what a wonderful city. And when you're tired of temples and culture, go to the monkey park -- it's very cool!
#269
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Thanks guys, Ky is a very nice city. It was overcast all day yesterday and a steady rain so far today, hope it stops so that I can get out and walk.As I have a 2pm train to KIX tomorrow, if not I will be back
Like alot more then Tokyo, its very quaint in a way and great for simply people watching by the dept store Daimaru.Anyway walked apx 8 hrs yesterday no buses, took the shuttle to the Station then over to Higiashi then to Nishi then Nishiki mkt then Pontocho, Yasaka and Gion and somehow managed to actually get my body back to the Westin by 6:30pm. Hoped to hit Pontocho and Shambisi again at night but I couldnt move!
Hope to hit those places tonight if the rain stops
the best was simply walking down any small st that looked inviting got many a stare from the locals like what are doing around here. Any time I wiped out the map to check where I was in no time someone came over to help out.
Was hoping to spend the day in some of the gardens but literally will have to take a raincheck on that
I will as later what kind of room I have, Jr suite or reg suite. It doesnt really matter as its just what the doc ordered and very happy with it
Like alot more then Tokyo, its very quaint in a way and great for simply people watching by the dept store Daimaru.Anyway walked apx 8 hrs yesterday no buses, took the shuttle to the Station then over to Higiashi then to Nishi then Nishiki mkt then Pontocho, Yasaka and Gion and somehow managed to actually get my body back to the Westin by 6:30pm. Hoped to hit Pontocho and Shambisi again at night but I couldnt move!
Hope to hit those places tonight if the rain stops
the best was simply walking down any small st that looked inviting got many a stare from the locals like what are doing around here. Any time I wiped out the map to check where I was in no time someone came over to help out.
Was hoping to spend the day in some of the gardens but literally will have to take a raincheck on that
I will as later what kind of room I have, Jr suite or reg suite. It doesnt really matter as its just what the doc ordered and very happy with it