mphall

I have enough points to stay 5 or 6 nights at the Hilton Tokyo and then go on to Hilton Kyoto ( I think there is one). Would anyone recommend this? I have never been to Japan and would like to see it. Probably only 9 nights there and then back to Nashville.

SPBanker

Sorry, no Hiltons in Kyoto.

farnorthtrader

You can stay at the Hilton Osaka, it is a fairly short train ride to Kyoto.

mphall

So no Hilton brands in Kyoto? Any suggestions for next best chain - Marriott, Hyatt, etc? Thank you.

hailstorm

Hyatt Regency Kyoto and Ritz Carlton Tokyo are both very nice, albeit pricy. Osaka would be much cheaper.

farnorthtrader

There is also Choice (Comfort Inn), an IHG (Crowne Plaza) and 2 SPG (Westin and Luxury Collection).
If you have Hilton points though, I just checked and it is a half hour train ride to Kyoto station from Osaka station, which is right at the Hilton Osaka.

angra

Depending on what you're interested in doing, Osaka can be as good or better of a base.

For a first time visitor to Japan without (yet, I guess) a specific set of things you'd like to see/do, Kyoto is probably better. There are a pretty wide range of lodging (budgets, styles, fanciness) in Kyoto. If you don't need a lot of space and you're going for cheapness, so-called business hotels can be a good option.

mphall

I am a Diamond Hilton member and was hoping to get some leverage in Japan. I can't travel all around Japan in 10 days so I was making kyoto and Tokyo my bases. I am not a Ritz fan or Marriott fan and will look around. Thanks!

Oregonflyer

Stayed in Hiltons in both Osaka and Tokyo in September. We were treated wonderfully as Diamond at both. Both are walking distance to train stations (Osaka much closer and more central, easy to get to Kyoto). Upgraded to large suite in Tokyo. Great lounges in both. We were not using points, so don't know how that would work out, but I'd go back to either. PM me if you want to chat.

angra

IMO*, use points in Tokyo and pay for a place in Kyoto. Osaka is a great hotel and it's a fine base, but for a short, first-time visit to Japan, I'd normally suggest people to focus a decent bit of time in Kyoto, and the added convenience of being based there rather commuting in is probably worth it. The yen is weak and there are pretty decent options for affordable lodging in Kyoto.

There are 2 excellent Hilton properties in downtown Tokyo, btw - the Conrad is an outstanding hotel, in (imo) a slightly less convenient location than the Hilton in Shinjuku. I've stayed in the Conrad a couple of times and it is great. I've never stayed in the Hilton, but have walked past it a few times.

PS if you have not yet found it http://www.japan-guide.com/ is a really outstanding resource for planning a visit to Japan (particularly a first time visit).


(* - pending, based on your interests on the ground and balance of priorities in lodging. I don't mean to imply any universal applicability to this position)

mphall

Thank you!

sorro

I've been to the Tokyo Hilton 3x in the past 10 years, and every time has been fabulous. The restaurant is great, the shuttle takes you right to Shinjuku station (though it's hard to find the stop at the station the first time), and the subway is right underneath it. I highly recommend it.

Likewise, if it were my first time in Japan, I'd stay in Kyoto over Osaka. The Westin is a great hotel on the edge of town. There's a subway stop that is about 30 feet from the doork as well as a few great local restaurants nearby, but not much. The shuttle arrives every 30 minutes on the south side of Kyoto station and it takes about 20 minutes to get from the hotel to the station. It is an easy walk to Gion though. You could also choose a ryokan that is in more of the center of town as well

mphall

Thanks so much.

redshift27

Thanks for validating my exact plan for 3 weeks time.

SS255

My parents (he's a HH Diamond and SPG Gold) are debating whether or not to stay at the Hilton in Osaka, or the Westin in Kyoto. He will not need either stay to re-qualify. They are more concerned with being central, and able to walk to tourist sites, etc.

Advice?