St. Regis Osaka or Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
#16
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Osaka is a modern business city but with far fewer international influences than Tokyo. Kyoto in some sense is the historical cultural center of Japan. For a tourist, being in Kyoto is far more interesting, but if you must go to Osaka for business, obviously you would want to stay in Osaka.
I would add that to me, a lot of the advantage of a RC is reserving a club level room if your schedule permits you to make much use of the lounge. Few luxury hotels have lounges but the RC brand is an exception, even though elites generally don't get free access.
I would add that to me, a lot of the advantage of a RC is reserving a club level room if your schedule permits you to make much use of the lounge. Few luxury hotels have lounges but the RC brand is an exception, even though elites generally don't get free access.
#17
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Osaka is a modern business city but with far fewer international influences than Tokyo. Kyoto in some sense is the historical cultural center of Japan. For a tourist, being in Kyoto is far more interesting, but if you must go to Osaka for business, obviously you would want to stay in Osaka.
I would add that to me, a lot of the advantage of a RC is reserving a club level room if your schedule permits you to make much use of the lounge. Few luxury hotels have lounges but the RC brand is an exception, even though elites generally don't get free access.
I would add that to me, a lot of the advantage of a RC is reserving a club level room if your schedule permits you to make much use of the lounge. Few luxury hotels have lounges but the RC brand is an exception, even though elites generally don't get free access.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2009
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I had to make the same decision a few months ago but it was peak Sakura season which meant that all Kyoto luxury properties were going for insane rates.
Ended up staying at the StR Osaka and loved it.
You can find my review here.
Ended up staying at the StR Osaka and loved it.
You can find my review here.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
I stayed at StR Osaka 8 nights straight in one trip and used Osaka as a base for that region. I have been to Kyoto before so there's no need to stay in Kyoto.
What I like most about this hotel location is the Michelin starred restaurants near by. They got us into 5 3-stars and a few 2-stars. We went to 9 restaurants, 5 3-stars and 4 2-stars. It was the food trip of my life.
StR Osaka is an A- city hotel. I wouldn't mind going back again.
What I like most about this hotel location is the Michelin starred restaurants near by. They got us into 5 3-stars and a few 2-stars. We went to 9 restaurants, 5 3-stars and 4 2-stars. It was the food trip of my life.
StR Osaka is an A- city hotel. I wouldn't mind going back again.
#20
I had to make the same decision a few months ago but it was peak Sakura season which meant that all Kyoto luxury properties were going for insane rates.
Ended up staying at the StR Osaka and loved it.
You can find my review here.
Ended up staying at the StR Osaka and loved it.
You can find my review here.
Thanks to tcmb99, MSPeconomist and 5DMarkIIguy. The tip about restaurants in the area of the St. Regis is great, I'll have to see what's available during my visit. As to the aspect of being surrounded by culture in Kyoto, I'm looking forward to the experience for a day-trip. I'm glad to know the RC is a strong contender for the next time I'm in the region.
#21
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Pity about Kyubey, but there are of course many other great options in Tokyo. Enjoy your trip!
#26
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The OP’s trip was Aug 2017, I think, so no chance for that. But we are doing both, along with Suiran Kyoto, too, in May.
Not entirely. Still won’t know for sure what Tokyo restaurants are confirmed until April 1, but hoping for Yoshitake and Narisawa (or Sawada and Den/RyuGin as possible alternatives). For Kyoto, we are confirmed already for Kitcho, Kyo Suiran, Gion Sasaki, and Nakamura—and Wayamamura in Nara, as well. For Osaka, we are confirmed already for Hajime (waiting on jacket requirement waiver) and at Aragawa in Kobe.
Not entirely. Still won’t know for sure what Tokyo restaurants are confirmed until April 1, but hoping for Yoshitake and Narisawa (or Sawada and Den/RyuGin as possible alternatives). For Kyoto, we are confirmed already for Kitcho, Kyo Suiran, Gion Sasaki, and Nakamura—and Wayamamura in Nara, as well. For Osaka, we are confirmed already for Hajime (waiting on jacket requirement waiver) and at Aragawa in Kobe.
#27
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Not entirely. Still won’t know for sure what Tokyo restaurants are confirmed until April 1, but hoping for Yoshitake and Narisawa (or Sawada and Den/RyuGin as possible alternatives). For Kyoto, we are confirmed already for Kitcho, Kyo Suiran, Gion Sasaki, and Nakamura—and Wayamamura in Nara, as well. For Osaka, we are confirmed already for Hajime (waiting on jacket requirement waiver) and at Aragawa in Kobe.
Hajime was only so-so for me, Kahala is more interesting from both a food and experience perspective
#28
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Hi guys - wondering if any recent experiences or preferences between these two, for a Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka trip in July?
I note the StR moves to Cat 8 soon, while the RC stays Cat 7, and I'm wondering if there's a clue in that? Both cost the same amount of points or cash at the mo (RC perhaps marginally cheaper cash rate).
In fairness, it will be a quick overnight stay, having come from the RC Kyoto, and used to shorten the trip to KIX in the morning. So only a one night stay, but just can't decide which property to go for!
Cheers!
JK
I note the StR moves to Cat 8 soon, while the RC stays Cat 7, and I'm wondering if there's a clue in that? Both cost the same amount of points or cash at the mo (RC perhaps marginally cheaper cash rate).
In fairness, it will be a quick overnight stay, having come from the RC Kyoto, and used to shorten the trip to KIX in the morning. So only a one night stay, but just can't decide which property to go for!
Cheers!
JK
#29
Hi guys - wondering if any recent experiences or preferences between these two, for a Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka trip in July?
I note the StR moves to Cat 8 soon, while the RC stays Cat 7, and I'm wondering if there's a clue in that? Both cost the same amount of points or cash at the mo (RC perhaps marginally cheaper cash rate).
In fairness, it will be a quick overnight stay, having come from the RC Kyoto, and used to shorten the trip to KIX in the morning. So only a one night stay, but just can't decide which property to go for!
Cheers!
JK
I note the StR moves to Cat 8 soon, while the RC stays Cat 7, and I'm wondering if there's a clue in that? Both cost the same amount of points or cash at the mo (RC perhaps marginally cheaper cash rate).
In fairness, it will be a quick overnight stay, having come from the RC Kyoto, and used to shorten the trip to KIX in the morning. So only a one night stay, but just can't decide which property to go for!
Cheers!
JK
#30
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there was at least one fan of RC osaka club
also fans of IC osaka residences
seem to recall bhrubin said some hard product at conrad beat st regis
sounds like st regis unless something specific elsewhere
(this applies many places, many here do very specific)
also fans of IC osaka residences
seem to recall bhrubin said some hard product at conrad beat st regis
sounds like st regis unless something specific elsewhere
(this applies many places, many here do very specific)