RTWSTARALLIANCE

Is staying at the Westin for your entire time a option? My wife much prefers the Westin over the Hyatt for many reasons mainly the Lounge and transportation options.

DFW-SEN

It Is. I was even upgraded to a Junior Suit. Having said that, the Executive Lounge is Not very nice. Small, very limited offering during coctail hour and overall not a very pleasant setting. Still can recommend the Hotel.
S

wired2theworld

I just booked 3 nights in mid-April at the Westin Kyoto using cash plus points.

I only have gold status. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of getting an upgraded room with access to the exec lounge?
I've had good luck in the last couple years in other places (Panama, Vietnam) and have come to appreciate the benefits (breakfast, free wifi) of the lounges. But after reading this thread it seems like they only give upgrades to Platinum members?

If I don't get an upgrade, any recs for places for breakfast close to the hotel?

Thanks for any advice!

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I would reach out to the Hotel via e-mail. They are responsive. But this is Japan and mostly by the book. A pleasant request upon arrival goes along ways always regardless of location.

If you walk back towards the city there are places but have never noted them being open real early. We usually pick something up the night before along with some juice if we will be required to use hotel restaurants.

wired2theworld

Thanks for the reply. I will email them.

Another option would be for us to spend one of our 3 nights in Osaka. There are both a Westin and Sheraton there, both with cash+points available for our dates. Would it be worth it to move? How are those hotels?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I would not. The Sheraton was great to me (see post) but that is usually not the case. The Westin is nice but off the path. It took me a decade after 40 plus trips to Japan for me to visit Osaka Castle. That tells you something. Kyoto is it. Beautiful. I do not think the Westin Kyoto will disapoint you.

leishmaniac

December 2010, we had 5-night stay in Kyoto, followed by 1-night in Osaka. Upgraded with points to executive floor in both places. Kyoto was better than Osaka in all aspects, including location, service, and comfort. We ended up visiting Kobe for the night we slept in Osaka. I would not recommend moving.

wired2theworld

Thanks for the advice. We will stay in Kyoto for the 3 nights.

I emailed the hotel and politely asked for a king room with a view and if possible, an upgrade to an Exec level room.

They replied 2 days later, saying that my request for a king room with view had been noted. They politely neglected to mention the other upgrade request.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I would leave the type of bed open end with the Hotel. It will increase your chances of a upgrade.

abraxis

So I'm planning to earn a couple of resort nights and the Westin Kyoto seems to be the nicest of the choices in Japan. Also, it's in Kyoto!

I see it has Japanese rooms which I would prefer. Are these rooms available for redemption?

youhavebeenupgraded

Stayed there with a rate lower than 100 Euros. Was upgraded to an executive deluxe room with balcony and view over Kyoto. Lounge access was included. Breakfast in the restaurant was also offered.

Here some pictures:
http://youhavebeenupgraded.blogspot....to-miyako.html

Thunderroad

Thanks for posting the photos! How were you able to get such a low rate???

youhavebeenupgraded

Rates in summer are low. Book in advance and get a reduced rate.

wired2theworld

I wanted to follow up on my question here, since we did end up staying here in April using cash + SPG Points.
I'm an SPG Gold member, so I asked about an upgrade to a club room on arrival and was told this was only given to Platnium level guests. We were offered the upgrade for an extra 1500 SPG points per night which included access to the club lounge and breakfast vouchers which could be used for the full breakfast buffet. We took this option.
We weren't thrilled with the first room we were given but after asking about other rooms, they ended up giving us a very nice and spacious Junior Suite on the 8th floor.
We very much enjoyed our stay there. It's a little out of town, but the hotel shuttle and the subway stop next door make it convenient. The buffet breakfast was fantastic and worth it (to us) for the upgrade cost alone.

My full review, plus photos of both rooms, is on my blog;
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2011/0...-hotel-review/

Thunderroad

Nice review and photos, w2w. Very useful info as my wife and I plan to be there in early November. Thanks!