Trying to finalize plan for trip next May, to Tokyo, Kyoto, and a ryokan near Kanazawa.

All but settled on ShangriLa for Tokyo.

For Kyoto, looking at Ritz and Four Seasons. Assuming prices are not so far apart, which hotel has better location? By that I mean, when (older) partner wants to rest in room, which one allows me to walk to shops and local activities, just soak up local atmosphere? From reading I think RC trumps FS on location but just wanted to check here.


We both like to swim laps and have, therefore, chosen hotels which have, I think, nice pools suitable for that activity. I am not interested in restaurants within the two hotels as we will eat our meals, save breakfast, in the city. Just want to know, mainly, about location....not interested in hotel barbecue or anything like that...

Also, the ACE will open this year, I think..any reason to seek that one out?

This is a big trip for us, for a big occasion...so location trumps price....who knows how many more trips we can both take together?????

I've stayed at the Ritz Carlton and at the Hyatt (which is very close to the Four Seasons). RC location is definitely better. It's in a quiet area and it's a few blocks walk to get to the "central" areas of Kyoto. Room with balcony overlooking the river was peaceful and relaxing.

I have answered this question several times. In Summer 2017, I stayed at both Ritz Carlton-Kyoto and Four Seasons-Kyoto along with Hyatt Regency-Kyoto and Royal Park Hotel-Kyoto (in the heart of downtown). I had 4 hotels in Kyoto on that Summer 2017 trip.

On this past summer trip, of which I just came home last month, I had 3 nights at Hyatt Regency-Kyoto and 7 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel-Kyoto. Hyatt Regency and Four Seasons are about a 10-minute walk from each other if that. Hyatt Regency is next door to a very famous temple and directly across the street from the National museum. The FS is up the street and in a pin-drop quiet, very secluded location.

If you're only going by location to downtown, and luxury hotels, then the Ritz Carlton is in that type of location. But, as far as I'm concerned, I'll stay at the FS over the RC, any time, and taxi into downtown when I need to as it's not that big of a deal to me. Plus, FS is located in the historical district of Higashiyama which I'd much prefer to be in over a downtown location and it's also a quick taxi ride to Kyoto train station.

When I stayed at the RC and wanted to go to Daimaru department store, which is downtown, I still ended up in a taxi to get there. I was in other areas of Kyoto more than I was in downtown Kyoto so I was fine being in Higashiyama. My 10 nights in Kyoto didn't only consist of being downtown. Kyoto is spread out.

As far as the ACE hotel, you asked me about that one on someone else's thread and I took a lot of time to answer and even provided maps of where it will be located. But, I never received any response. Below is the thread where I answered that question. My answer is at the bottom of that thread.

Hotel recommendations for Tokyo/Kyoto/Kanazawa

Hopefully, as for my Summer 2019 trip, I can do another 10 nights in Kyoto and probably with another combination of 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency (less expensive) and then another 7 nights at the FS although I'd prefer to just do 10 nights straight at FS and stay in one hotel.

I also plan to take some more day trips to Osaka and also add on a day trip or two to Kobe of which I will take from Kyoto train station as the trains that start there are faster ones. One of the staff members at FS-Kyoto lives in Kobe and commutes daily to work and suggested that I just take a day trip or two to Kobe.

Happy Travels!

Guemai, just to say I always enjoy your posts on Japan. You present detailed knowledge within the context of your own specific priorities - which makes your contributions extremely helpful. Thank you!

Bovine: Thank you for your kind words. My goal is always to just try to help folks out, as much as possible, so that they hopefully will have a pleasant experience on their journeys.

Happy Travels!

Thanks to both of you. I do remember your posts, Guenmai.

Does anyone here have information on the schedule for the opening of the Park Hyatt?

Tagging on to this thread with a vaguely related question:

Recommended hotel in Kanazawa? Should this be close to train station, since we will arrive and, probably depart, by train?

We stayed at Hotel Tokyu Kanazawa in one of the larger rooms - - they call it the luxury floors and they are higher up. Very nice, we really liked the location. Staff was helpful and they have a great bartender (or did in 2016).

I just received the recent issue of CondeNast Traveler with their "Reader's Choice" 2018 awards. I'd never heard of their top pick for Kyoto (and for all of Japan): SUIRAN, part of Starwood, in Arashiyama!! Pick #3 for Japan was RC Kyoto.

The "winners" are chosen by survey of readers of the magazine. Yes, I know one cannot depend on this ranking but I think it is interesting that suiran has never been mentioned here, at least not in any threads that I've read recently.

There were a number of names on the list that were new to me, but I was glad to see that Le Domaine at Abadia Retuerta was ranked tops in Spain. Number #2 was a hotel I'd not heard of, In Puebla, Mexico! Twelve Apostles outside Capetown was in the top ten. Number one?
The Mamounia.

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/ja...ury-collection

A Fodors visitor to Japan would most likely not consider Suiran when researching 'hotels in Kyoto' as Arashiyama is not a convenient base for sightseeing in Kyoto.

Thanks..I was just curious. I ended up booking the RC in Kyoto.

EKS,

For a nice hotel in Kanazawa, try look into "Hotel Nikko Kanazawa" near the train station.

A hotel near the train station is not bad at all. Frequent loop buses start at the train station, and you can buy a 500Yen all-day-pass from your hotel concierge. There is a Forus building to the right (if you face the main entrance of the train station) which has many restaurants on its 8th floor, including a Mori Mori sushi restaurant which we enjoyed.

When booking a hotel room, pay attention to the room size in square footage.

Correction: It is the 6th floor, not 8th. The Forus building has a Starbucks at the ground floor.