Originally Posted by
RandyNZ
I couldn't make up my mind for which hotel in Tokyo, so I thought it'd be chaotic, but fun, to do 4 nights Peninsula, then 2 nights each at Grand and Park Hyatts (or maybe just 4 nights at PHT). ...
Some people swear by the Park Hyatt Tokyo while others prefer the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Frankly, I like them both -- with a slight preference for the Grand Hyatt. You won't go wrong at either one.
Originally Posted by
RandyNZ
I think I'll go for the Hyatt in Kyoto - looks great from the photos I've seen online, despite it being a bit away from the train station, and probably do the Hyatt again in Fukuoka. Gee, can you tell I'm trying to work on building up some Hyatt stays?! ...
I think you won't be disappointed with the Hyatt Regency Kyoto. For my money, it is much more like Park Hyatt service then Hyatt Regency service. Also, I don't think its location is bad at all. No, it's not right in front of Kyoto station, but that's not always the best place to stay. There's a major museum and many temples just a stone's throw from the Hyatt Kyoto. It's still a relatively new hotel, but word seems to be getting around. I've noticed male couples there quite a few times. Regardless of where your room is, don't forget to find the big Japanese garden in the back of the hotel complete with koi pond.
I usually avoid hotel food, but the Kyoto Hyatt is a real exception. The Grill restaurant, just off the lobby, has very good western food and a nice view onto a small stone garden (different from the other garden, above). There's an Italian restaurant upstairs along with a great pastry shop. The Japanese restuarant, Touzan, downstairs has excellent, authentic Japanese food. If you aren't familiar with Japanese food/language, eating here makes it very accessible -- but still thoroughly genuine (i.e., it's not a touristy restuarant at all). You'll enjoy the dishes/presentation as much as the food itself. I recommend it.
You mentioned staying at "the Hyatt again in Fukuoka"... which one? The Grand Hyatt there, true to form, is a step up from the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka -- especially the Grand Club, if you are on that floor.
Originally Posted by
RandyNZ
One further question I do have is, if you had to choose just one Onsen to visit from either of these 3 cities, preferably as a day trip and not overnight, which would it be?
One idea for a day trip from Kyoto is to go to Kurama. It would be a very easy trip, especially staying at the Kyoto Hyatt, as you would take the Keihan train which is just a 5-minute walk down the street from the hotel. Be sure to go to the outdoor bath... and the indoor one too, if you like. This is not a particularly fancy place (or expensive), but it does give the onsen taste in a quick day trip. The little village of Kurama is also picturesque place -- just a few shops, really. Just ask at the hotel about going to Kurama Onsen.
Have a great trip!