Hyatt Place Kyoto REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Oct 26, 22, 11:25 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 7,973
Just completed a 5 night stay. Loved the hotel. It is stunning.
a few data points which may not have been mentioned:
* hotel is directly next to subway exit door #6. Go to south exit, door 6, at street level look directly to left to see hotel entrance about 20 feet away. Note, door 6 does not have an elevator. If you need elevator for luggage, etc I think door #3 had elevator to street level. Upon exit turn left and walk approx 1 1/2 blocks and hotel will be on opposite side of street.
* front desk staff lovely but lacking in English. I asked 3 different people about shipping my luggage to north Honshu and received different answers re time to arrive, deadline for pickup and price. Not sure if they didnt understand my question or need more training in shipping procedures. Other questions also were greeted with a blank stare or 10 min searching internet and my still not getting an answer.
*hotel has prepared a book of restaurant suggestions in the area but it is In Japanese. I suggest a duplicate in English as I think hotel will get more and more westerners now that it is easier to enter Japan.
*the safe in room is tiny. Barely fit my iPad and a small bag. Laptop definitely will not fit.
* nespresso machine in lobby for all to partake. Also a microwave.
* of course all rooms had tea kettle , however You might want to bring your own tea. I didnt care for their brands in the room or for breakfast. And the teacups have no handle so you either have to burn your hands drinking full cup of tea or keep refilling. Alternatively there are paper cups in lobby or I preferred to take an extra handled cup from breakfast every day and use that.
Great location near subway but some may prefer to be a bit more central. The Ace hotel seemed hopping but of course it is not helpful for those of us collecting Hyatt points.
a few data points which may not have been mentioned:
* hotel is directly next to subway exit door #6. Go to south exit, door 6, at street level look directly to left to see hotel entrance about 20 feet away. Note, door 6 does not have an elevator. If you need elevator for luggage, etc I think door #3 had elevator to street level. Upon exit turn left and walk approx 1 1/2 blocks and hotel will be on opposite side of street.
* front desk staff lovely but lacking in English. I asked 3 different people about shipping my luggage to north Honshu and received different answers re time to arrive, deadline for pickup and price. Not sure if they didnt understand my question or need more training in shipping procedures. Other questions also were greeted with a blank stare or 10 min searching internet and my still not getting an answer.
*hotel has prepared a book of restaurant suggestions in the area but it is In Japanese. I suggest a duplicate in English as I think hotel will get more and more westerners now that it is easier to enter Japan.
*the safe in room is tiny. Barely fit my iPad and a small bag. Laptop definitely will not fit.
* nespresso machine in lobby for all to partake. Also a microwave.
* of course all rooms had tea kettle , however You might want to bring your own tea. I didnt care for their brands in the room or for breakfast. And the teacups have no handle so you either have to burn your hands drinking full cup of tea or keep refilling. Alternatively there are paper cups in lobby or I preferred to take an extra handled cup from breakfast every day and use that.
Great location near subway but some may prefer to be a bit more central. The Ace hotel seemed hopping but of course it is not helpful for those of us collecting Hyatt points.
Its about $10 difference per night. If no TSUs, Id probably book that .
Oct 26, 22, 6:24 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
Programs: AA PLAT 2 MM, MR TITANIUM 2M, HH DIA, Hyatt EXP, BW DIA, IC Ambassador, IHG DIA, UA GLD
Posts: 1,041
not sure if they consider my room (337) a garden view. It faced a slim very tall tree which was lovely. Originally I booked a standard king with only shower but upon checkin I asked for upgrade and they offered me a twin with bath, shower and couch. I think for $10 I’d opt for that and then they might upgrade you further if you requested. particularly if you are two people. I was one person and room was fine but for 2 might be tight. I was told this room a bit larger than standard king.
Oct 26, 22, 11:43 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 7,973
Unfortunately king premier sold out, as is the slightly larger king deluxe.
dont understand why TSUs arent good here, but my concierge said no.
dont understand why TSUs arent good here, but my concierge said no.
Oct 27, 22, 12:38 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,145
Yes, great post! Are we sure they dont take TSUs? We have one data point from the Twitter team saying no above but I didnt know that Hyatt places were excluded from TSUs.
It seems, give him the rates in peak season, that there isnt a strong reason to stay at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto? Im trying to choose between the two ( park hyatt has no points availability).
The price fifference is around $80 night.
It seems, give him the rates in peak season, that there isnt a strong reason to stay at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto? Im trying to choose between the two ( park hyatt has no points availability).
The price fifference is around $80 night.
Oct 27, 22, 11:42 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 7,973
Im also considering the Westin, where the point nights are reasonable given cash rates (63k:night, 5 night free). Room is 400 sq ft.. I stayed there 25 years ago and while the location isnt central, it is pleasant and near some attractions,
Any thoughts on Westin vs HR? Im both globalist and titanium, but its Sakura do I dont expect upgrades.
Oct 28, 22, 12:10 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,145
thanks. Turns out its more like $100. Problem is that is still a smallish room (300 sq ft); to get a larger one is another $40 for only another 30-60 sq ft,
Im also considering the Westin, where the point nights are reasonable given cash rates (63k:night, 5 night free). Room is 400 sq ft.. I stayed there 25 years ago and while the location isnt central, it is pleasant and near some attractions,
Any thoughts on Westin vs HR? Im both globalist and titanium, but its Sakura do I dont expect upgrades.
Im also considering the Westin, where the point nights are reasonable given cash rates (63k:night, 5 night free). Room is 400 sq ft.. I stayed there 25 years ago and while the location isnt central, it is pleasant and near some attractions,
Any thoughts on Westin vs HR? Im both globalist and titanium, but its Sakura do I dont expect upgrades.
Jan 24, 23, 8:06 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,885
- 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.
Me: I am checking in for two nights. Last name is XXX (hand over my passport).
Agent: Mr. XXX, I see you are Globalist. Please note that we do not offer upgrades, even for Globalists.
Me: Whatever room is fine (shrug my shoulders).
Agent: However, since this is your first stay, we have assigned you a deluxe room this time (bolded because the Agent heavily emphasized "this time"). Is this ok? (I guess this is an upgraded room?)
Me: Yes, even the base room s fine (shrug my shoulders again).
Since the hotel has apparently upgraded me on this first stay (to induce me to stay again in the future?), it seems very counter-intuitive to me to indicate that the upgrade would be given only on my first visit and not thereafter, and then expect me to stay at the hotel again?????
One strange "design" about my room (not sure if it is like this for every room, since I have not seen this in any photo) is that the floor of the room seems to be raised, EXCEPT for an approx. 1.2m x 0.8m section right at the entrance and to which the door opens. Thus, when you open the door and walk into the room, you immediately have to step up. Is this for heated floors (I doubt it)? Is this a Japanese design? It seems very dangerous to me to have this sunken "well" right at the door, near the washroom, and also near luggage cabinet. It could be a disaster for tripping oneself or getting sprained ankles. I had to be careful to avoid this well, especially during washroom trips at night.
As mentioned in other posts, the breakfast spread is great.
The School Bus Coffee Bakers shop next to the hotel (and to which there is an adjoining door from the hotel lobby) has some good bread, pastries, and coffee.
Jan 25, 23, 1:15 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat Pro, AS MVP 75K
Posts: 145
Similar experience...I checked in for two nights this past weekend. Here was the initial interaction with the check-in agent (this is almost word-for-word):
Me: I am checking in for two nights. Last name is XXX (hand over my passport).
Agent: Mr. XXX, I see you are Globalist. Please note that we do not offer upgrades, even for Globalists.
Me: Whatever room is fine (shrug my shoulders).
Agent: However, since this is your first stay, we have assigned you a deluxe room this time (bolded because the Agent heavily emphasized "this time"). Is this ok? (I guess this is an upgraded room?)
Me: Yes, even the base room s fine (shrug my shoulders again).
Since the hotel has apparently upgraded me on this first stay (to induce me to stay again in the future?), it seems very counter-intuitive to me to indicate that the upgrade would be given only on my first visit and not thereafter, and then expect me to stay at the hotel again?????
One strange "design" about my room (not sure if it is like this for every room, since I have not seen this in any photo) is that the floor of the room seems to be raised, EXCEPT for an approx. 1.2m x 0.8m section right at the entrance and to which the door opens. Thus, when you open the door and walk into the room, you immediately have to step up. Is this for heated floors (I doubt it)? Is this a Japanese design? It seems very dangerous to me to have this sunken "well" right at the door, near the washroom, and also near luggage cabinet. It could be a disaster for tripping oneself or getting sprained ankles. I had to be careful to avoid this well, especially during washroom trips at night.
As mentioned in other posts, the breakfast spread is great.
The School Bus Coffee Bakers shop next to the hotel (and to which there is an adjoining door from the hotel lobby) has some good bread, pastries, and coffee.
Me: I am checking in for two nights. Last name is XXX (hand over my passport).
Agent: Mr. XXX, I see you are Globalist. Please note that we do not offer upgrades, even for Globalists.
Me: Whatever room is fine (shrug my shoulders).
Agent: However, since this is your first stay, we have assigned you a deluxe room this time (bolded because the Agent heavily emphasized "this time"). Is this ok? (I guess this is an upgraded room?)
Me: Yes, even the base room s fine (shrug my shoulders again).
Since the hotel has apparently upgraded me on this first stay (to induce me to stay again in the future?), it seems very counter-intuitive to me to indicate that the upgrade would be given only on my first visit and not thereafter, and then expect me to stay at the hotel again?????
One strange "design" about my room (not sure if it is like this for every room, since I have not seen this in any photo) is that the floor of the room seems to be raised, EXCEPT for an approx. 1.2m x 0.8m section right at the entrance and to which the door opens. Thus, when you open the door and walk into the room, you immediately have to step up. Is this for heated floors (I doubt it)? Is this a Japanese design? It seems very dangerous to me to have this sunken "well" right at the door, near the washroom, and also near luggage cabinet. It could be a disaster for tripping oneself or getting sprained ankles. I had to be careful to avoid this well, especially during washroom trips at night.
As mentioned in other posts, the breakfast spread is great.
The School Bus Coffee Bakers shop next to the hotel (and to which there is an adjoining door from the hotel lobby) has some good bread, pastries, and coffee.
Jan 25, 23, 1:35 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 49
One strange "design" about my room (not sure if it is like this for every room, since I have not seen this in any photo) is that the floor of the room seems to be raised, EXCEPT for an approx. 1.2m x 0.8m section right at the entrance and to which the door opens. Thus, when you open the door and walk into the room, you immediately have to step up. Is this for heated floors (I doubt it)? Is this a Japanese design? It seems very dangerous to me to have this sunken "well" right at the door, near the washroom, and also near luggage cabinet. It could be a disaster for tripping oneself or getting sprained ankles. I had to be careful to avoid this well, especially during washroom trips at night.
Jan 25, 23, 2:23 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 847
Fly_Me_To_The_Moon That area is for shoes. In a lot of Asian homes with this area, when you walk in, people leave their outside shoes in that area. It's not specific to Japan. You'll see this all over Korea for example. This is the first time I'm hearing a hotel have this feature so that's interesting.
Jan 25, 23, 6:56 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,885
Fly_Me_To_The_Moon That area is for shoes. In a lot of Asian homes with this area, when you walk in, people leave their outside shoes in that area. It's not specific to Japan. You'll see this all over Korea for example. This is the first time I'm hearing a hotel have this feature so that's interesting.
Jan 25, 23, 7:03 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 9,607
It doesn't happen at 5* properties in Korea but I have seen it at 3 and 4* ones in areas outside or Seoul.
Jan 29, 23, 8:56 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,234
Jan 30, 23, 4:52 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,885
Jan 30, 23, 5:40 am
#60
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 9,607
Only seen normal cow's milk.
