ikonos

Is this the best hotel to stay that is closer to kyoto attractions? How are SPG Plats treated? I have a stay in kyoto in July and am thinking of using SNA certs but they will only upgrade me to a Jr. Suite if it is available. What has been the Plats experience with pgrades at this hotel? Do they get upgraded to anything more than a Jr. Suite? Does it matter whether it is a points stay or revenue stay? Appreciate your comments.

Edit: On a revenue stay what percentage will be the added taxes and fees over the base rate? For my days the lowest available rate is 14000 yen. Wondering if its better to go with that rate rather than spend 16000 points. Is 7/10-7/15 considered hi season at this hotel?

unavaca

Is it possible to redeem points for the Japanese-style rooms? I'd like to get the Ryokan experience, but want to use SPG points.

yucci18

stayed at the Japanese room in May. Lovely hotel (should I say resort?? so no guaranteed 4pm check out...) and friendly service... We were counting the number of 'arigatou' during our breakfast LOL....

The japanese room is very nice. However, it does have VERY strong tatami smell in the room.

The executive lounge offers per-dinner tasting plate from 5:30 onwards.

Starwood Lurker II

Stayed at this hotel while taking a one-week vacation in Kyoto. The weather was warm but the humidity was just right.

The room I was allocated was spacious by Japanese standards but most of them I was out visiting temples and shopping at Gion and Higashioji.

One week is too short a time in Kyoto though. Would have stayed longer.

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Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

bocastephen

You checked out, we checked in This hotel offered amazing service, from check-in to concierge services to the restaurant and lounge. Upgraded to an executive suite (a huge room even by US standards) with a wonderful daily restaurant breakfast. Great location, easy subway access or free shuttle service to Kyoto station. Bonus: luxury Bulgari bath amenities in the suite.

Starwood Lurker II

Bulgari bath amenities!!??!! I would be delighted too.

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

yucci18

Here are some pictures i took - Japanese room (and yes, Bulgari bath amenities)

http://viewfromthealtitude.blogspot....ako-kyoto.html

And some more picutres of Kyoto Gion (15 mins walk or 3 subway stops)
http://viewfromthealtitude.blogspot....oto-japan.html

Sam P. Goodman

I was pleasantly surprised with a recent stay at the Westin Miyako Kyoto. My expectations were fairly low going in and the curb appeal (or lack thereof) as we approached had me a bit nervous. The drab exterior gave way to a very modern lobby. There was a sign referencing club level check-in so I asked the bellhop if I could check in up there since I was Platinum and he didn’t seem to know what Platinum was so I waited briefly and checked in at the front desk. We were upgraded to a jr. suite that was spacious and appeared recently remodeled (except the bathroom). Décor was modern (think new Le Meridien). Our room was probably the size of two standard rooms with a spacious entry area and large bathroom. The main room had a barrel vault ceiling. There was a spinning console with a huge (I’m guessing 60” screen) in the middle flanked by some curtains. The living room side had a couch, chair, coffee table, and large built in desk/counter with a variety of small kitchen items (boiler, a couple of small toaster-like ovens, bar glasses, etc.). The bedroom side had a great set of drawers with room on top for two large suitcases and some built in night stands with excellent lighting options. The bathroom was spacious with a separate toilet closet, double vanity, and bath/shower combo. Oddly, the bathroom appeared not to have been renovated (with the exception of some new sink faucets) with the room as it looked straight out of the 1960s or 70s. Normally, this would bother me, but it was in excellent shape and looked brand new in condition, if that makes any sense. Bath products were regular old Westin stuff.

We took breakfast the first day at the buffet on the second floor. It was less than stellar as it was extremely crowded. There were a variety of hot and cold dishes, but it was pretty picked over and kind of an off-putting experience. We had breakfast in the lounge for the remaining four days and preferred it to the buffet, despite it being more limited in selection. It did include some fruit, cereal, eggs, pastries, and salad. Lounge staff were very friendly and even made a trip downstairs to grab some bananas for our little one. Evening cocktails and snacks in the lounge were also a nice experience that we enjoyed very much. A funny sidenote about the lounge…one evening there were five or six older Japanese businessman gathered around one of the tables chatting when a group of young, attractive women in short skirts came out of an elevator and were directed to the group of men. They quickly paired up and headed out together as the rest of the lounge guests watched in awe and snickered. One woman commented, “Hey, why not. They really know how to do it here.”

We enjoyed the location of the hotel and its proximity to sites and dining options. We walked to several shrines nearby and had several excellent casual (and reasonably priced) meals within a 5-15 minute walk of the hotel. The concierge was helpful in providing a map of the immediate area with a dozen and a half dining options highlighted.

All in all, a great stay and I’d definitely recommend the hotel.

broston

Is there a category for "Post your DOWNGRADE requests" ? I had an otherwise lovely stay at the Westin Kyoto. Fabulous location. Lovely hotel. I stayed 3 nights in a room on the 8th floor. Perfectly happy there. I then left for two days in nearby Nara. When I returned to the Westin I was told by the front desk that for the remaining 5 days I had been upgraded to the Executive Floor. Great, right? Unfortunately, she could give me no access to the Executive club privileges, but whatever. I went up to the "Executive" room on the 10th floor. It was considerably smaller than my 8th floor non-Exec room, with a much poorer view. The bathroom (I didn't notice if there were Bulgari amenities) was so small that to get to the sink I had to physically remove the towel bin from the bathroom. I went back downstairs to ask to be downgraded back to my old room, which I'm happy to say was readily done.

updawg

I noticed this hotel isn't allowing reservations April beyond.

Does anyone know why and when dates past April will become bookable?

remymartin

That usually means bad news...

Medved

Unfortunately, most likely hotel is leaving as of March 31st Arrhhh
Was thinking going to Japan next year, so Kyoto was a must
There is a slight chance that rates are not loaded yet but being November now is highly unlikely for April. Although I saw some hotels in Italy not loading rates for May and beyond up until the New Year and even later...
Sad, very sad -- no other SPG in the area...

remymartin

Agreed. A rather nice property with a lot history, but too far from Kyoto in my opinion. While I think Starwood could manage a property closer to town, it would probably mean a newly built building without anything grand. On the other hand, the Granvia is really central...

Thunderroad

You might be right, but not sure I'd jump to this conclusion. Could be other reasons. Have to called spg or contacted one of the SPG lurkers here to ask about this?

I'll agree about this being a very nice property but respectfully disagree about its location, remy. It's within walking distance of what was our favorite part of Kyoto, the Philosopher's Path and the surrounding hills.

remymartin

Thunderroad,

we all have our own desires. My personal gripe was the lack of restaurants near the property