May 30, 2019, 9:14 am
Last edit by: bhrubin
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from May 2018:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...-recovery-2624
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...-recovery-2624
Ritz Carlton Kyoto, Japan [Master Thread]
Feb 9, 2019, 3:25 pm
#242
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,466
Congrats on snagging that booking at the 60k rate. I have asked to pay to upgrade and they've been okay with that. I was quoted the difference in paid rates between the deluxe room and the room you want to change to. I think the luxury river room is worth it.
Mar 7, 2019, 2:02 am
#245
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
Thanks fam. I’ve been a long time lurker and now that I’m travelling more... I thought it was time to sign up and contribute. Just finished a stay at the St. Regis Bali and I am currently at the Conrad Bali. Really hoping to get to try out the RC Kyoto next year...
Mar 7, 2019, 3:48 am
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
You'll enjoy this one. What season will you be going in?
Mar 8, 2019, 11:16 am
#247
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
When I asked the rooms manager they gave me the difference between what Marriott pays them for the basic room vs the actual suite selling price. I obviously rejected that and they didn't respond.
Mar 8, 2019, 11:20 am
#248
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,466
Not sure what you mean here. The amount Marriott pays is either a small amount to cover housekeeping if occupancy is below ~95%, or an amount that is roughly the rack rate if occupancy is above that. There is no way for the hotel to know right now what they're going to be paid for your award stay. If you were quoted the latter figure, that's in line with what I said I was quoted.
Mar 8, 2019, 4:48 pm
#249
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 297
When I asked, it was 5000yen per night to upgrade to Garden view or 20000yen per night to upgrade to luxury room which is a river view and bigger room I believe. We decided to stick with two rooms of the deluxe and hoping for an upgrade for at least a few days since we have platinum on one room and titanium on one room. We’ll be going in 2.5 weeks for 7 nights then again Jan 2020 for 7 nights.
Mar 9, 2019, 9:35 am
#251
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
we are Titantium, booked five nights in November. Thinking of upgrading to Garden view from the base room, 33050 yen in total. Worth it?
Mar 9, 2019, 12:00 pm
#252
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
I wouldn't pay in advance to upgrade, as there's not a lot of difference between the room types. The only worthwhile upgrade in my opinion is the River View, simply for the views of the river, which you'll get free of charge as Titanium (space permitting).
Mar 9, 2019, 10:42 pm
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Mar 10, 2019, 1:45 pm
#254
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
Not sure what you mean here. The amount Marriott pays is either a small amount to cover housekeeping if occupancy is below ~95%, or an amount that is roughly the rack rate if occupancy is above that. There is no way for the hotel to know right now what they're going to be paid for your award stay. If you were quoted the latter figure, that's in line with what I said I was quoted.
Regular Room at $900/night
Suite Room at $1800/night
Instead of offering a $900 buy up they were asking for over 1500.
Mar 19, 2019, 8:41 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,784
Had a wonder stay here recently, arrived just before cherry blossom season so it was not quite as busy. As Titanium, was offered room type upgrade and on high floor as per profile preference. Not suite per se, but very large room (would not expect this during actual cherry blossom season when they would probably be fully occupied). There are quite a few activities you can do such as go on a bike ride of Kyoto with staff, hiking, dress up in a kimono and walk around the area, etc. Service is thoughtful and anticipatory, even more so then I've had at other Ritz-Carltons and Four Seasons elsewhere. The location next to the river is great and really put me at ease compared to some busier part of the city.
The other thing where the properties goes above and beyond is breakfast, which I received as a Titanium member. Both the Japanese and western breakfasts (the latter is a buffet) were delicious and especially the baked pastry items from the Pierre Hermé Paris Boutique on-site is to die for (and makes a great gift if you are visiting your Japanese colleagues).
The last rather amusing thing I encountered at checkout was seeing some bratty DYKWIM (and only a lowly Platinum at that) throw a hissy fit at not getting an upgrade because this is the Ritz-Carlton, even pulling out some ...... OTA (which one isn't?) to show the front desk there's some room they demanded to be upgraded into, and generally unbecoming behavior at a place as nice as this. Absolutely shameful behavior on the part of the guest but the staff took it in stride and was gentle but firm with them.
10/10 would stay again
The other thing where the properties goes above and beyond is breakfast, which I received as a Titanium member. Both the Japanese and western breakfasts (the latter is a buffet) were delicious and especially the baked pastry items from the Pierre Hermé Paris Boutique on-site is to die for (and makes a great gift if you are visiting your Japanese colleagues).
The last rather amusing thing I encountered at checkout was seeing some bratty DYKWIM (and only a lowly Platinum at that) throw a hissy fit at not getting an upgrade because this is the Ritz-Carlton, even pulling out some ...... OTA (which one isn't?) to show the front desk there's some room they demanded to be upgraded into, and generally unbecoming behavior at a place as nice as this. Absolutely shameful behavior on the part of the guest but the staff took it in stride and was gentle but firm with them.
10/10 would stay again