Originally Posted by
Aventine
Ambulances DO run by the hotel at night. I was not referring to the Red Cross building as a hospital but wondering if that corner room was closer to the main road they use. I am sorry I'm not a local and don't know every inch of the area like you do. I know from my prior stays that there are parts/rooms of the hotel more prone to road noise and sirens.
I apologise if you were only referring only to the road noise. As you know, the HR Kyoto sits on the corner of 2 main thoroughfares, a T with the east-west road ending at the intersection. As all frequent travellers know, road noise is subject to inter-personal variability. In 50+ stays here I have never personally been bothered by ambulance noise, but I'm sure it exists: there is a Red Cross hospital on the main thoroughfare south of the HR.
For this particular room, the Corner King, the RC building blocks most of the noise from the main thoroughfare, but there was noise from a truck's backup signal (this is the type of noise I am more sensitive too) early morning in the alley between the hotel an the RC building.
The worst noise I have (subjectively) experienced was in a room directly opposite the garage entrance/exit.
Definitely, when it comes to low-noise rooms, south side, low floor would be advised.