Talk about interesting! I dare say your comment is one of the most interesting in the thread. Ninenzaka was already packed with people even before the current "inbound" flood. But maybe that is what many tourist crave (including the most upscale), just as they are attracted to Ginza (moths to a flame?). I assume the views will be primarily naka-no-niwa or yasaka-no-to. As for the Westin, we've always found it to be more Miyako than Westin, which is maybe as it should be. Disliked the overstuffed furniture and the shower curtain in a Club room, but the hanare in winter was on par with a deep-country ryokan; a recommended experience for visitors who do not have the opportunity to really get out of the cities.

Accolades for saying something controversial! I daresay it may have been the only time I've seen anyone say anything complimentary about the Westin-Miyako Kyoto in the Hyatt forum.