gspurr

As someone not at all familiar with Kyoto, how does this location compare to that of the HR Kyoto?

Lomic

Neither location is central, and they're both about the same walking distance (30m) to around the Gion area where tourists are likely to spend a decent amount of time. HR is a 15 minute walk to Kyoto Central Station, and HP is a 15 minute subway trip to Kyoto Station. HR is a bit more convenient to Fushini Inari, and HP is a bit more convenient to Arashiyama, which are two likely tourist areas. You'd go to the central station to get a train to Nara, so about the same there. There are generally more temples/shrines around HP since you're close to the Imperial Palace, but HR has its share too, and is right next to Kyoto National Museum & a large Buddhist temple. Both are located in business/commercial neighborhoods and so there's not really much charm to their locations like if you were staying at PH or a smaller hotel in the Gion area.

HR's neighborhood and street are generally quieter, at least. Overall not a huge difference apart from that as far as I can tell, though I've only been to Kyoto once (stayed at HR), so I'm not an expert, just what I know from that trip.

CoffeeTraveler

yeah… we’re hopeful but still only booking refundable rates because there’s no telling

outgoing

It could be a personal selection of restaurants but I'd say there is more good food around HP as I pointed out above. Imo food in Kyoto is equally if not more important than the sites (esp. the touristy ones)

OsakaWino

Comparing the 2 locations depends a lot on what you want to do. The major cultural sites in Kyoto are well spread out and the public transportation system is poorly integrated. Visitors are likely to use a mix of the Keihan, Hankyu, JR, and subway rail lines in combination with taxis or buses. HP's immediate proximity to a subway station is a plus in that regard, especially during inclement weather.

Neither are in quaint neighborhoods, but that is true of most Kyoto hotels. I would say HR is slightly better for being able to step out and walk to someplace of cultural interest, but there are almost no dining options within quick walking distance.

Overall, I think most foreign tourists would find that the HP's location better suits their needs.

gspurr

Thanks for the comparisons. As someone who will be travelling with kids to Kyoto it looks as if the HP might be better suited for us location wise. Plus it looks to be half the cost of the HR for the various dates I am looking at. Of course all of this will be dependant on Japan opening up to tourists at some point in the not too distant future.

59Impala

Hyatt Place Kyoto Celebrates Official Opening
239-room Hyatt Place hotel opens in central Kyoto with convenient access to many attractions in Japan’s ancient capital

https://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=124219
.CHICAGO (April 1, 2021) – Hyatt Place Kyoto, the first Hyatt-branded select service hotel in Kyoto, is officially open, expanding Hyatt Place brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter the most to guests and World of Hyatt members. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food and beverage offerings.

Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy-to-navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Hyatt Place Kyoto is located in central Kyoto at the southwest corner of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and close to Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel is directly connected to the Marutamachi station on the Karasuma subway line and is about 10 minutes from Kyoto station by subway or car. Hyatt Place Kyoto also provides business travelers with convenient subway access to the Kyoto International Conference Center, a major conference facility for international meetings and where the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997.

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  The Kitchen at Hyatt Place Kyoto
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  Hyatt Place Kyoto king suite
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  Hyatt Place Kyoto guestroom
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  Hyatt Place Kyoto exterior

“As Japan’s international borders start to reopen, we are excited to welcome guests to the first Hyatt Place hotel in Kyoto,” said General Manager Takuma Yoshimura. “Our hotel’s central location makes it easy for our guests to travel around Kyoto, visit the city’s many cultural and traditional sites as well as attend business appointments. With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work, play and sleep areas, our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road.”

Hyatt Place Kyoto offers:

• 239 spacious guestrooms including three suites, with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper
• The Kitchen featuring hot breakfast items, fresh fruit, steel-cut oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and more
• Lobby Bar serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night, and also featuring specialty coffees and premium beers as well as wines and champagne
• Necessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
• Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel and guestrooms
• Fitness Room featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens

For more information, please visit hyattplace.com.

World of Hyatt Gives Members 500 Reasons to Stay Somewhere New

To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt Place Kyoto by June 30, 2022, part of World of Hyatt’s new hotel member offer. Additional participating hotels and their offer stay periods can be found at worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus. No registration is required and members can earn on top of other offers.

Aventine

The guestroom window bars remind me of a jail cell. Will probably still be one of the finest HPs in the world though.

LittleYaris

I’ve been trying to book rooms for April 2023, but it looks like you can’t even make reservations for days past 12/31/2022. Thought maybe they’d open reservations for next year by 6/2022, but no luck. I just spoke with their local reservation desk, and she explained that the hotel isn’t ready to take reservations past 1/1/2023. Is this common with new properties?

hailstorm

The breakfast is free for everyone, and looks incredible for a Hyatt Place:

shonanroger

I had both, Japanese and Western breakfasts on a recent stay. They were OK, but nothing near “incredible”. Not even as compared with other Hyatt Places or Houses in East Asia.

Two minus points during the stay:
- They will tell you upfront that you won’t get an upgrade as a Globalist. Even if you’re not asking. Even not from Standard to Standard with Garden View. Sure, this is compliant to the WoH rules. But thinking about the generous upgrades I got at the HH Kanazawa, or the now rebranded HH Niseko, or upgrades I got at every European or other Asian HH or HP I stayed at, even as a Discoverist, that’s really stingy.
- The windows can theoretically be opened but are locked with a key. The hotel won’t budge and unlock the window citing “safety concerns”.

A big plus is the Nespresso machine next to the check in counter. Free of charge for everyone. Can even do Lattes.

All in all, looking at the price tag and the benefits, I’d probably rather stay at the Crowne Plaza, or some of the Marriott properties within a similar price range. Also looking forward to get a look at the Hilton Garden Inn which will open later this year.

rm76

It's been a while since we stayed at the HR Kyoto; however, on our last visit the hotel recommended [and set up our itinerary] hiring a taxi for the day. Price was very reasonable and the taxi driver took us to the sites we wanted to visit and waited for us each time. May be worth checking with the hotels to see if this us still an option.

OsakaWino

This is certainly still available, and always will be. But I think most guests at HP Kyoto might find it a bit extravagant, unless it is a party of 4. With the HP being so close to public transportation, a more economical option would be to take public transportation to close to where you want to go and then taxi if it is too far to walk.

dkc192

Anyone know if this hotel will accept a TSU for one of their suites?

dkc192

Update: Twitter team said no.