Crowne Plaza ANA Kyoto Master Thread
 

I have a booking at the CP ANA Kyoto, and I'm surprised not find any information about this property on the forum. The ICG website doesn't provide too many details, and you won't find this hotel on TripAdvisor.com unless you drop the Crowne Plaza tag.

Has anyone stayed there and can provide feedback on upgrades to plats, and other useful info?

Thanks.

The hotel was named before ANA Kyoto hotel:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16267244-post282.html

The hotel is rather dated (but location convenient for leisure).

The Hyatt is definitely much better though.

Stayed there in March last year for two nights.

Nothing special, rooms look dated (dark 80s design) but are very well maintained and very clean.

Booked a standard room and received an upgrade to a room overlooking Nijo castle.

Area is convenient - opposite to Nijo Castle, subway around the corner and bus stop with one of the Raku lines (101 that takes you to Kinkakuji) only a few steps away. Also there is a 7/11 in the area.

I have to admit that the Hyatt is much nicer, but costs about three times as much.

Will be staying there again in late March for three nights...

And they have a homepage with lots of pics / information (in japanese but works quite good with google translate): http://www.anacpkyoto.com/

Thanks a lot, I couldn't find any feedback from PC members on TripAdvisor.

So back in 2011 20k points were needed for a redemption, and now 30k, but I don't know how much they were in 2012 prior to the latest devaluation. However, I think I'll pay for it as it's not too expensive (JPY 11000) on flexible rate, and for the same price breakfast can be included. I've read it's pretty bad, but well, it's good to be given this (free) option.

It was 20k points last year - not worth 30k now at their standard prices that are around ¥ 12000.

Booked the standard for ¥ 12700 with breakfast at their best flex rate for end of March. With the weak Yen this is around 100 Euros - so cannot complain about the price and hope for a nice upgrade to a Castle View room again...

Lol, I love that you call the Yen weak at the current levels. I long for the days of EUR100=16k Yen. :)

I looked into this property along with the Westin, and holding top-tier status with both chains decided to go with the latter. The price is roughly the same, they're both older and a bit run-down, but elite treatment at the Westin is superior (free club access, breakfast in restaurant or lounge, decent shot at a suite upgrade). My experience with non-IC PC hotels in Japan is that they will give you the bare minimum. All that said, I have stayed at the Hyatt several times, and it beats the other western chain hotels by far (but is also a lot more expensive).

Well my first time in Japan was last year at 100 € = 10k ¥ - so at least for myself I would call it weak at moment ;)

My first visit to Japan in October 2007 was as above. Great rate, and easy to refer to the old peseta: JPY 1 = ESP 1

And on my second visit in October 2011 it was like that, which meant that prices (in the country where they have mostly remained the same for 20 years+) had gone up 60% for me!

The current situation is welcome as a tourist, but I'll be in Japan on business trying to export goods, so not that happy about it... :(

Has anyone stayed at this property recently? Planning a couple of nights in August and both the Crowne Plaza ANA Kyoto and the Westin are coming out at similar prices. (around 12,000Y)

Hold Platinum with IHG, but only Gold with SPG. Heard that Platinum benefits are few and far between at this property - especially when it comes to Club Lounge access? Has anyone got any recent experience?

If Platinum at the CP isn't likely to make much of a difference, the Westin seems on paper to have the edge - but curious if anyone had any more recent experience?

We are actually staying at the hotel right now. Out of the many ic hotels that my wife and I have stayed, this is upon our least favorite hotels. The hotel is dated, and pretty tired. The room that we were upgraded was a non smoking room that smells very much like smoke. The whole hotel has a smell of an old Vegas casino.

The room itself is clean, but again worn. The location of the hotel is not bad close to subway and easy to get a taxi.

The staff is friendly, however they used to have a great concierge which no longer works here. They were not as helpful since he left.

I would stay here again if we needed to, but would likely leave the ihg network for our next trip to Kyoto

I totally agree. Dated hotel, worn rooms, bad bathroom. Don't stay there, if there are other options. I'm generally very cautious with ANA (co-)branded hotels now.

Thanks for the info. Decided to give the Westin Kyoto a punt this time around. It was the approx $30/night additional charge for a 2nd person at the CP that put me totally off in the end.

Don't most Japanese hotels do that though -- charging for the 2nd person? Does the Westin Kyoto not charge that?

As far as I'm aware the Westin doesn't appear to.

Crowne Plaza snuck on an extra 2,400Y/additional person/night in the final estimated cost.

Westin's final rate didn't change (between 1/2 people) & I can't find any small print hidden in the breakdown to suggest it would. Unless someone's got personal experience?

Ah interesting, I thought it's a standard practice in Japan (to charge for the 2nd person). If Westin doesn't charge that, I'd definitely consider them since CP Kyoto does look incredibly dated from pictures.

Are we talking about the CP in Kyoto that's located at the other end of the city when viewed from the JR station?

That hotel is geared towards Japanese tourists arriving in tour busses. I think they must lough at every foreign tourists who books them just because they are a CP...

HTB.

Yes (although it's not hard to reach using public transport and also has a free shuttle bus service to the station).

It's a great location if you want to go hiking in the mountains. For everything else there are much better options.

"not hard to reach" is not the same as "convenient".

HTB.

I'm not going to disagree loudly, because I also think that there are far better options -- we won't be returning to the property (unless we read that it's been completely modernised) because we found the rooms dated, dark and reminiscent of a 1970s motel. But... the location worked for us (and made a nice change from skyscraper hotels attached to mega-malls).

Any recent stays here and if the rooms have been updated? Per TA in April "Our hotel is in middle of redecorating the rooms interiors."

Booked an executive king and the photos appear to be more modern. Recent reviews are all over the place.

I have stayed Renewal Deluxe Room.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27981213-post42.html

Renovation is still on the way. (50% done) It will be finished at the end of this Aug.
All of the rooms except Suite will be refreshed included castle view room.

We stayed four nights in August 17 and booked standard room with breakfast. We were provided one of the refurbished rooms which was very nice. I would agree with the review linked in the post above and would stay there again. However, they have now opened a small lounge called the "Top Floor Salon" with opening hours from 1500-2000 hrs. It served soft drinks, beer, wine and snacks (nuts etc) throughout its opening hours. We were proved free access with Spire Ambassador status. They also provided an excellent shuttle bus to and from the station.

I'm booked in to a king executive. Would that qualify?

Thanks for the update.

I'll be staying there again, with the family in August. Reward nights, so I wonder if I'll be getting any upgrades as a Spire Elite (not too optimistic about it). Do you now if swimming-pool access would be one of them?

4 of us, so I've booked 2 rooms because they don't seem to accept more than 2 people in the room. Let's see if that will be help me or prevent me from getting upgraded...

We were upgraded to a room on the top floor on the same corridor as the Salon due to my Spire Ambassador status so I suspect that is why we were granted access.

Ours was a paid stay when we were upgraded due to our status so hopefully you will be lucky! We were granted swimming pool access for free as well.

Just finished a paid stay. The shuttle from Kyoto station was very convenient. Location isn't great unless you want to be next to the castle. Did the walk from Gion and it's a hike. Booked an "executive king" and "upgraded" to some "refurbished" room on the 7th floor, so don't know if that's a downgrade by looking at the pictures on the website. Did not receive 8th floor "lounge" access and got weighed down with tons of coupons at check in for breakfast in 2 spots and also a dinner coupon. Took the free drink as Spire member and wish I had changed my mind. The offerings are 1 choice of beer, 1 spirit, 1 choice of wine and a moscow mule, gin and tonic or soda and casis. The bar off the lobby gets filled with smoke and there's no posted signs so beware.

The room itself if tech heavy with unnecessary junk and a sharper image catalog that threw up from 1998...like a pants presser (actually made my pants more wrinkled), an air purifier, a shoe dryer, an entire sleep kit with masks and the list goes on.

Still, it's a clean, functional room and serves its purpose.

If you can get a rate for JPY 9000 and get upgraded, go for it. However, it was the busy season and I had to force a room open as Spire and paid JPY 28000 which is too much for this property.

Also, most staff is not proficient in English but you can manage.

Score may seem low, but it is a 3* property at the end of the day. Do not regret staying there at all, but would have no reason to go back based on location alone.

Score: 6.5/10

@saaveraward
Your review is not far from mine. As Spire, on award stay during cherry blossom time (so hotel was sold out all days and I followed booking and saw that sometimes a room opened up at 300€ price level and went again), I was upgraded to 8th floow exec sort of standard type of room, based on pictures and size (not that big), facing town and not castle view. We got lounge access too but it was completely useless: you could get a fresh orange juice, coffee, tea and some peanuts, meeh, open only afternoon hours. Got many stickers also for discounts in breakfast and dinner, used only once the breakfast buffet with discounted price but it was pretty lame and skipped other days. Location is great for the Nijo castle but not much else. I found also the shuttle to kyoto station convenient but not very practical for shutteling multiple times.
I don't think I go back, unless with good points burning ratio when cash price is high. Nothing wrong with the property per se, but the overall value perception was rather low. Well a cash stay might be justified too when cash price is low, at least the property is much more stylish than a regular HI or HIX

Have all the rooms been renovated?

I have visited this hotel a few times over the past few years and really enjoy it for a number of different reasons.

I like the decent sized rooms (for Japanese standards anyway), the recent rennovations they've done to the hotel, the friendly staff, the quiet location, the nearby metro station, the free shuttle to and from the main train station, the possibility of having a private breakfast in a traditional japanese room (extra price for this), the pink kimono uniforms the female staff wear, the bamboo fountain/waterfall view through the large lobby windows, and the relaxing views to the castle from the rooms.

However, I have been to the new "salon" or "lounge" on the top floor. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they made this. It's literally just 1 semi large room with 4 or 5 small square tables very close to one another for only 2 people each where they serve you a drink and some small snacks like peanuts/crackers. There are no couches/sofas, no space to walk around, no window views, and no warm food or buffet. There would not even be any space to put a buffet table if they wanted to. Expect to be sitting real close to the tables next to you and hear their whole conversation even if whispered. So, if you are visiting this hotel, you are not missing anything if you don't get access to this "perk".

Apart from this strange salon/lounge on the top floor, I would highly reccomend this hotel anytime.

Stayed here in mid Oct. Was given a room with 2 double beds. Asked if they have a King bed, was told no, they are sold out.

The room was decent and clean with a nice view to the castle. Elevators are large and frequent enough.

At reception when I mentioned I am Platinum, she quickly gave me 2 bottles of water (but no drink voucher). I asked if they have a lounge. Was told no. The hotel did not have a pool or sauna. Did not find CNN but found BBC as one of the very few English channels.

It does have a sauna, it's some kind of an onsen, and it's quite expensive. I got free access as a Spire, and to the so-called lounge as well, on reward nights last August.

When I asked the reception, the lady said no they don't have a pool or sauna. Also said they don't have a lounge.

Don't know why the lady at reception told me they don't have any. She did give me 2 bottles of water for being a Platinum member.

Lack of English proficiency maybe. Saying "No" is easier than giving explanations.

Possibly. After she replied several "No", I asked if they have English newspapers, she said yes and went to get one for me.

They seem to understand English well enough, but don't speak well.

Any recent stays? I'm thinking about staying here in about a month for just one night.

This hotel has a mixed setup for the windows.
Some rooms have windows which can be opened, and in other rooms the windows are fixed and do not open at all.
You need to ask beforehand in your reservation, or confirm it at the time of check-in if you want a room with a window that opens.