We just returned from Japan and stayed in Tokyo and Osaka. It was hard to decide between St. Regis Osaka and Ritz Carlton Kyoto but we ended up at the St. Regis as my 17 year old daughter is more into shopping than the zen experience. The St. Regis is right off of the main shopping street (on steroids). The walk towards the river within the shopping district and then the river itself is something right out of Blade Runner with all of the neon and lights at night. Not to be missed, it was a unique experience for us.
The St. Regis treats their Platinums well with breakfast and a $30.00 a night mini bar credit. Breakfast looks spectacular but it does start feeling a little redundant after a week. Our daughters wish list included acquiring a kimono and the staff arranged a hair and makeup session at the nearby Daimaru department store. There are so many pieces! Staff is knowledgable about Osaka but not as much on the ins and outs of Kyoto.
We spent a couple of our days comuting to Kyoto from Osaka (via a Local Rapid Train from Osaka Station 1-hr or 20 min by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station which required a short subway ride first). We went to the Golden Palace on a rainy day but that didn't deter the crowds. The mass of people made it hard to feel the peacefulness of the setting.
I commented about this to the Taxi driver and he recommended KOKE Temple and the Imperial Palace for less crowds. However, these have to be reserved in advance, one week in the case of KOKE Temple, so we were not able to visit either. My sister also recommends the philosophers walk.
The next trip will be with just my wife and I and I think we will stay in Kyoto. It is a big city, in my minds eye I've blended all of the photos you see about Kyoto to come up with one giant park like setting set in the mountains. In reality, the many temples are set in the mountains that encircle the city but the mass of buildings and city life is in the center. I believe the Ritz Carlton will be able to do a better job of developing an itinerary as Kyoto is their back yard.
Osaka is better for action/night life, Kyoto for meditation/relaxation. Just plan it in advance to find relaxing Kyoto. Osaka didn't require as much advanced planning.