59Impala

if it is refundable, no issue. you can always check the rates and see if they drop and then rebook.

FlyerBeek

In normal times, $300/night would be a good rate at the HR Kyoto. I wouldn't hesitate to make a refundable booking at that rate for 2022. I'm seeing slightly lower rates for some days in Fall 2021, but doubtful Japan will open up for tourists by then.

-FlyerBeek

ne0ven0m

Just booked a 3 night stay for April 2022 at 25k points/night. Wanted the PH at 30k but they had very select dates open for April, presumably because it's a popular time of year. Didn't want to let HR pull something similar or cost me more by booking once peak times are implemented. Going to assume Japan as a region will consider April-May peak.

FlyerBeek

I suspect you're likely a bit late for April 2022 PH Kyoto points availability. There was decent weekend availability for April 2022 about a month ago. That being said, HR Kyoto is a wonderful consolation prize - stayed there for the sakura in April 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

-FlyerBeek

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ne0ven0m

That's good to hear on HR. I've gathered a pretty favorable consensus of it's a higher quality HR than others I've stayed at.

As for PH, I've actually been looking and had alerts set for my specific 3 days since March, and it hasn't opened up. I did see a few other dates that almost made me shift my flight to catch hotel availability. However, I ended up being one of the few cases where ANA decided to verify family relationship in my account, and locked it until I could provide all the documents. By the time it did that, PH days were gone.

ryandc99

While I have not stayed at the PH, reading the FT thread I would probably not stay there. I have stayed at the HR Kyoto multiple times, and find it far better than any north america hyatt regency. Its truly an amazing property with great staff.

FlyerBeek

You probably already know this, but If you're using OpenHotelAlert, make sure you setup alerts for both the individual days and the full duration of the award stay you're looking to book.

Absolute agree with your comments comparing HR Kyoto with any North America HR. In my opinion, the service and ambiance of the HR Kyoto is on par with (or exceeds) most Park Hyatt properties in North America.

-FlyerBeek

gengar

Having actually stayed at both, PH over HR Kyoto especially on points is a no-brainer in my book and it's not even close.


Unfortunately IMO this is more a reflection of the poor quality of PH in NA than the quality of the HR, although I do agree that the general ambiance of the HR Kyoto is excellent (although again, if the point of comparison is a dud ambiance property like PHNY...). But as I noted previously in this thread, I haven't been impressed at all with the service at HR Kyoto.

FlyerBeek

Agree regarding the comparison with North American PHs is more a reflection of service standards in North America.

Genuinely curious... besides your breakfast complaints (not being able to eat from the buffet if ordering the Japanese set breakfast and being charged for a coffee/juice - which I don't recall happening to me) - what were your other service issues here?

-FlyerBeek

ne0ven0m

Nope, just learned a new trick thanks to you. I've always done just full duration.

gengar

I encountered issues with housekeeping (mainly timeliness) and room billing (multiple erroneous charges). I also felt the concierge was not motivated to do anything more than simple tasks. I was also annoyed they refused late checkout unless I paid for it (I understand this is an excluded property, but they refused to grant any late checkout even for just one of our rooms). I did write a note to the GM summing up the issues and the response was form letter apathetic. It didn't help that among the rooms I booked were the two top suites at the hotel, so it just felt bad and really nickel + dimey.

Also, to clarify on the breakfast issue - there was a charge for coffee/tea as well as juices not out on the buffet. Juices out on the buffet were included for both menu options.

ryandc99

Interesting..I am curious about your experience with the PH concierge? Was it great? If so, that might inform my next stay.

As a repeat guest at this property, I have never had an issue with getting a globalist late checkout. Last time I was there, they also sent a free taxi to pick me up from the High speed rail station, and offered me a free dinner on property to apologize for the lack of a suite upgrade (which was not expected given I know how hard it is to get a suite here). I will be honest, I do think the concierge feedback is fair though, it was not the best and the biggest minus at this property.

gengar

The big issue with the PH Kyoto concierge was that they were excessively slow to respond (waited 5+ days for replies sometimes, even approaching check-in); similar delays were also reported by others in the respective property thread. Otherwise, the concierge was good. I considered it part of the new property teething issues that I hope will be resolved. I was very patient with my PH stay as generally I wouldn't stay at a luxury hotel within the first year of opening, but I really wanted to try the PH (and obviously I wasn't inclined to stay at the HR again).

My stay at the HR was my first and only, and it was definitely one of those stays where at every staff interaction it felt like they just didn't like us for whatever reason. There are plenty of mentions in this thread of various goodwill gestures similar to that which you experienced, but the inconsistency in itself is bothersome especially when we were paying for two of the most expensive rooms on property.

louisc

In September I booked a 3 night stay for May 2022 @ 25k Yen/Night, same room right now is showing 50kYen/Night

Aventine

A great rate if they open up by then.