HarrietMWelsch

My husband, 9 yo son, and I (and possibly our 20-something daughter) are planning to visit Kyoto at the end of March, to spend time with our 20 yo son who's studying there this semester. We've done a fair amount of foreign travel, but we've never been East of Russia (or West of California, if you want to look at it that way).
We're probably going to let our older son help shape our itinerary, and he'll definitely be translating for us, but I would very much welcome specific advice on hotels, and any general advice for first-time visitors to Japan.

Hotel-wise, I don't feel that I have a good understanding of what kinds of things will and won't be available. Our first choice, usually, is separate bedrooms - communicating if we don't have one of the older children with us, adjacent if we do, or a full suite with a door separating the grownup sleeping area from the living & sitting area with a foldout. Will western-style hotels have those kinds of arrangements? Or are we going about this all wrong - is there a different, characteristically Japanese set-up that might suit us?

What would be your recommendation for a hotel if price were absolutely no object? How about if we wanted to save more for our food budget?

Thanks much!

mrwunrfl

Yes, western style hotels have those kinds of arrangements. I would assume that there is possible of a caveat that adjacent rooms might not be available at time of check-in.

You could look for suites, but also for family rooms. For example, the Westin Miyako has rooms with 3 or 4 single beds.

Hotel Okura has family rooms. The following webpage shows their Family Room B, with four singles, two in each of the two bedrooms:
http://okura.kyotohotel.co.jp/englis.../family_b.html

Quoted rates generally do include taxes.

crellston

We stayed at the Ana Hotel which is in great, convenient location overlooking Nijo Castle http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/ihg/hot...na/hoteldetail. It is a western style hotel and should provide what you are looking for.

tower

Harriet..perhaps you would enjoy a quasi-ryokan (inn) hotel. We dscovered one in 2007 which I would recommend. The Three Sisters Inn (annex)in a very nice part of town, just ten minutes walk to the Philosopher's Walk...so beautiful.
Moderately priced at 18,000 yen.

It is charming and just one blook from a major Kyoto bus stop.
Kay Yamada, the owner, is delightful and so helpful. (She is one of the three sisters)
Here are some pics to give you an idea of what it's about.
It was my first visit since 1946, when I was a young G.I...There was a tacit agreement not to bomb the city, so it was intact at the time and the beauty was (and is) overwhelming).

Kyoto....

stu tower

tower

sorry..forgot to add the pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...ndOtherScenes#

stu

HarrietMWelsch

Thanks much, stu, crellston, and mrwunrfl.

Anybody else have suggestions for Kyoto hotels for two adults and a 9 yo? (It looks as if our oldest won't be able to get the time off work to join us.)

hawaiiantraveler

You will be in Kyoto at a very busy time of the year as you will be there in the height of the sakura(cherry blossom) season. Hotels will be booked out earlier than usual and at premium prices so book now where ever you decide to stay.

If money were no object then I would stay at the Hyatt. We were just there for the third time in a suite in November. It has become our hotel of choice in Kyoto. The hotel does have adjoining rooms if you need and will put a cot into a room for you too.

My second choice would be the Hotel Okura. Centrally located and a very nice hotel that I have only seen but not stayed in. The Westin's location would be nice at that time of year keeping you closer to the Philosopher's Path area very vibrant during the cherry blossoms.

If under a budget I would check into the Dormy Inn, Hotel Monterey or the Granvia but keep in mind that this is the busiest time of the year so prices will be at their highest.

A stay outside of Kyoto in Osaka and its environs will cut down your costs. The Westin Osaka is located close to transportation and would fit your needs. Swissotel Nankai is a good choice too. Good luck!

Aloha!

emd3

I've stayed at th Westin Myako and Hotel Okura, both during cherry blossom time in April.

I loved both hotels. But the Hotel Okura is a better location, imo, esp. w/a 9 yr old along. You walk out of the hotel and right onto a central street w/shopping and dining, and that street leads you right to the train station and Nishiki food market which will fascinate your 9 yr old I think (and you too).

And the subway runs under the hotel (w/an entrance under the hotel). There is dining and shopping in that area under the hotel also.