just2010just

Is this one considered a resort and no late checkout?

Aventine

Not yet a resort and late checkout for Globalists should be 4pm.

rp88

If the train is so far away, how are people planning on exploring Kyoto? Walking it all?

SawBo

Hopefully they provide a bike, but there's bus stations nearby

gengar

Other options are taxi or, if you're feeling adventurous, the bus. When staying at FS or HR I typically walked to the train or wherever I was going (this is the downhill way, just as at PH), then took a taxi back; granted, the train station closest to HR/FS is only about 10 minutes away vs. the 15-20 from the PH.

Several bus lines should run along Prefectural Route 143 near the hotel (the road itself is around a 5-minute walk, but not sure where the actual bus stops are), including routes that go to Kyoto Station.

To be frank, Kyoto's train system is not that useful anyway, especially for shorter distances. If there's a station near where you need to go then it might work, but it's rarely the case and might need inconvenient transfers even if so. For example, it's not even possible to get to Kyoto Station on the line (Keihan) that the nearest stations are on. Also, note that the company of the same name that operates the Keihan Line doesn't accept the JR Rail Pass.

OsakaWino

The closest train stations are Keihan at either Gojo or Shijo, about a 15 minute walk; not exactly far. No matter where you stay in Kyoto actually exploring the city can be a bit of a challenge transportation-wise. Some people try the buses, but they are incredibly overcrowded. A hired car can be worth the expense, especially for a group of 4 people, but of course it is not exactly cheap. My preference would be to combine trains (Keihan + subway gets you to much of the city, adding Hankyu, JR, etc, depending on destination) and taxis. Taking taxis alone can get very expensive; traffic in Kyoto can get terribly congested, and the meter keeps going up; we once spent 15 minutes in a taxi trying to turn a corner at a traffic light to go to a temple.

There is a lot to see within easy walking distance from PH Kyoto; I would say that it is better located for walking sightseeing than the FS or RC.

Aventine

Beautiful season for walking Gion now.

just2010just

Thanks. That is great.

Mark McCracken

Well, yes and no. It's not direct, but you can transfer at Tofukuji, which is south of Kyoto station, then take JR back up. The hassle of transferring in Tofukuji is offset by not having to drag your stuff deep into the heart of Kyoto Station. You arrive and you are right in the middle of it.

gengar

Hence no. You literally say it in the next sentence.

OsakaWino

While not a direct connection, this would be very useful to anyone not wanting to take a taxi to Kyoto Station. Either Keihan station should be no more than a 15-minute walk from PH Kyoto.

FWIW, I've only found it a pain to be in the "heart of Kyoto Station" when connecting from the metro or otherwise using the underground passages, A taxi to either side of the station is extremely easy (although the traffic lights always make the taxi more expensive than expected).

gengar

The issue is that taking a bus is a far quicker option than the train. Between walking to the nearest station, waiting for a train (and only the slowest trains stop at Tofukuji), the platform transfer at Tofukuji, more waiting for a train, and the actual train travel time, it's entirely possible that walking all the way to Kyoto Station could sometimes be faster than taking the train. That's how inconvenient these transfers are. It's not even cheaper than the bus, since fares are due to both Keihan and JR. Anyone even considering this would have to be truly bus-averse, walking-averse, and/or have a real train fetish.

blitzen

To be honest I think if you stay at the Park Hyatt you can afford a taxi to the hotel

nonamelive

Agreed. Even though I booked with points, I would still arrive by taxi rather than by bus or train, at least for check-in. If you really want to save money, get off from the nearest train station and take a taxi to the hotel.

gengar

Even that might save only US$1-2, and that's only if traveling solo. IIRC flag drop in Kyoto is very high, around $6, which will account for around half the fare to PH from Kyoto Station.

I fully understand that PH Kyoto will be an 'aspirational' stay for some guests, and taking the bus to/from Kyoto Station might be attractive for those trying to save every dollar they can. But then the train wouldn't even be a consideration.