Hello: I have heard about all the hotels in Kyoto such as Granvia, ANA, Tokyu, Westin, etc, but they are ALL booked for Sept 14-19 which is when I need to stay. Does anyone have any other well-kept secrets for a hotel in Kyoto that is not more than about $175/night? Thank you!

How about the Hyatt Regency? Is that booked too? We stayed there and really liked it. Its a beautiful hotel and I believe fits within your budget.

It seems to be available, but VERY expensive because our stay includes a weekend. Anything else?

Here is a list of some hotels you could try

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...80_indacc.html

Aloha!

The Granvia has a superior twin room available for your dates for ¥88,000 for the four nights - tax included but not breakfast...trick is you have to book in Japanese. You might e-mail them.

My mistake...I checked for through the 18th. For the 5 nights, it's ¥101,000, with plenty of availability.

Really? KimJapan - Wow, how did you find that? Every website I tried, including theirs, shows no availability. Would Love to stay there. Should I email them directly?
Thank you.

Oops, KimJapan, I just realized that I emailed Granvia and they responded saying that they had rooms available at the rate of 30300 per night for twin room, no meals, which is a bit too pricey for us. Not sure how you found the lower rate?

I used the Granvia's own website in Japanese...they have various room plans that may only be available online. You could e-mail them again and explain that you found the rate in Japanese but were unable to fill in the form in Japanese and ask if they could honor the rate for you.

I'll try that. Thanks!

Any other suggestions? They told me to use the website and it's still coming up, with taxes, at over $200/night.

julia:

We recently had a marvelous stay in Kyoto..we opted for a quasi-ryokan experience at the Fodor-recommended Three Sisters Inn Annex.

For a double with en suite bathroom, we paid $155 + 15% tax....but the yen was 118-1. Now its 122-1 so it will be less than that. Breakfast extra $7. The hostess is one of the sisters and is a delightful woman, English-speaker. Very fine clientele/ It is located in a quiet area of town, within walking distance to several shrines and the famed Philosopher's Walk. The handy bus routes stop a block and a half from the INN with excellent frequent service to everywhere in and around the fabulous city. Several restaurants on the street and around the corner. We bought a bus pass and hopped on and off several tims..in 5 days we covered the city like a blanket....my first visit back in 60 years! (Fax them..no e-mail)

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...erty_id=134936

stu T.

Julia:

Here are some pix of the Inn and surrounding areas, shrines, cherry blossoms, etc..sorry I haven't captioned them all yet..but I hope it gives you some idea of the INN..

Stu T.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...AndOtherScenes

you can try here, there are openings for your dates and the prices to match but definitely not the Granvia

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/

Aloha!

Hi Julia,
Not sure if you found another option but I just wanted to tell you that after periodically checking the Granvia's website-- we were able to get our dates (sept 16-18).

When I first started checking, it always showed no availability. Then poof-- it just "opened up." I also included the day before and day after because we were unsure of our itin.
BTW, we were also told to book online (since they showed availability on their Japanese site).
I would suggest having something booked directly (with cancellation available) but keep checking the site (at least for Granvia.)
Good luck!

Julia:

We all hope you will report your final decision on Kyoto lodging. Whatever it may be, I wish you a happy, rewarding, illuminating, fun trip!

Stu T.