Westin Osaka - Japan [Master Thread]
#76
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
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JR train (made the mistake of taking the "rapid" train, which was far from rapid)
JR has many categories of trains, from Local to SuperLimitedExpress. Rapid faster but not the fastest, its actually the 2nd slowest category. The Haruka (with one local train change) to Osaka Station takes about 55 minutes. A direct rapid train to Osaka station is about 65 minutes. Airport limobuses take a little over an hour. If you factor all these options, there's only about a 10-15 minute travel time difference which is comparable with the other 2 options, especially if you factor in if you miss a transfer for the Haruka or run into traffic on the Limobus.
As for the Hyatt over the Westin in Kyoto, the Hyatt is a brand new hotel (totally renovated-gutted an old hotel building) that recently opened. The Westin is a much older hotel, I wouldn't be suprised if a lot of reviews go with the Hyatt. However, having stayed at the Westin I enjoy it, plus I value my SPG points more.
#77
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
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You will. I will put it under the Hyatt forum as we have few reports on the Hyatt Kyoto. We are two nights at the Hyatt followed with a stay at the Westin Miyako also. If the Westin opened up we would stay those two nights there. Will post later this week.
#78
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Great informatoin you provide, RTW. Curious: is the transfer from Shin-Osaka to Osaka a free transfer, or is it subject to a fare from a transfer?
#81
Join Date: Mar 2005
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#82
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Depends on how you were ticketed, some tickets do have "City Zone" and allow you to get off at any station in the zone, other tickets are from point A to point B only in which case you would pay the extra fare of 160 between ShinOsaka and Osaka Stations.
#83
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For someone not familiar with Osaka and not wanting to take the train, assume airport limo bus is best option from KIX to the Westin?
#85
Join Date: Mar 2005
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westin>>shuttle to osaka station>>proceed to the airporter office across the street from the central post office (0.75 blocks from the dropoff point and 2 intersection crossings)>>pay $13>>enjoy the ride to KIX.
#86
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So roughly half the cost? Is it also better in any other dimensions? Thx!
#87
Join Date: Mar 2005
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the airporter makes a few stops at the westin, but with nowhere near the same frequency. ask the concierge there.
#88
Join Date: Apr 2001
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I am learning that indeed the Airport Limousine bus to KIX does NOT make frequent stops taking people from the Westin to KIX let alone back. They sent me an excel spreadsheet and I noted at least one trip each way per day. Does this sound right?
#89
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Yes that's right. I think they only make 2 stops a day at the Westin. IIRC you need to go catch the bus at some other hotel closer to the Central Station.