Clearly there are two hotels within one in Kyoto. To answer one of the earlier questions, I was indeed on the Executive Level but I don't remember what floor it was.

I, of course, agree that that not receiving an upgrade that is paid for (with $ or points) is unacceptable.

To the point about Japanese hotels, I've stayed in many. I would describe most as efficient, attentive, clean, courteous and helpful, but not friendly.

Lastly, without trying to make this a referendum on Ritz Carlton's, I'm kind of tired of the cookie cutter nature of them - thus my lack of love for the one in Osaka. They've all become virtually identical, regardless of where in the world they are. I went from the R-C in Osaka to the R-C in Hong Kong. Both were, obviously, nice but not particularly memorable.