THE WESTIN MIYAKO KYOTO

I really don't know where to start with this review. We had booked a traditional Japanese room and the pictures were nothing like what we got (I wish I had taken photos) and it was not cheap. The room was meant to have a balcony and didn't and the bathtub was horrendous, the room smelt and needed work doing to it. They then moved us to another room in the Motel (still charging the same price mind you) and the carpet was filthy, electrical did not work and it was just a basic room and yet we paid top dollar. The air conditioning had smoke coming out of it, We then got moved to another room (we really should have just left) and apparently were upgraded, hmm don't think so. The beds were that uncomfortable my mate and I both woke up with bad backs (stayed 3 nights). The air conditioning was not working so they provided a Dyson machine that really didn't help it and was no window so we were uncomfortable. The room stunk, dirty carpets, cables galore behind the TV unit that was just shoved there. The only thing about the hotel that was good was the buffet where they cooked the steak in front of you and made your sushi fresh. Also the awesome piano bar (the young lady had an amazing voice). Paula from the front desk really did try her hardest and she was an absolute legend, caring, understood and tried to help but this hotel put a massive damper on the end of our Japan trip. The service was good by all staff. I would not stay here EVER!

First time to stay in this hotel, The room looked a bit dated, but still clean and comfortable. Our room also offered an unobstructed view of Kyoto. The subway station is only a three minutes walk away. Great selection at breakfast. There are also a few good restaurants near the hotel. Heian Shrine, Philosopher's Walk are all within walking distance.

Here for a medical conference. I appreciated the helpful concierge and the convenience to the subway. Conference center about 30 min away, but hotel peaceful, though a bit dated. All the usual gadgets of a typical Japanese hotel and a couple restaurants to choose from making it not necessary to leave the hotel for food. Access to electronic money changing machine in the lobby which is convenient.

This was our 3rd and last stay at the Westin Miyako Kyoto. The hotel continuous to go down hill with distinct declines in room quality. (Very dirty carpet, scuffs and worn furniture), poor breakfast quality, lack of customer service recognition on Starwood Gold Status. The rooms are shabby to say the least. Big stains in the carpet in our room with scuffs and marks on all the walls and furniture. Not very Westin. The breakfast buffet, ¥2,700 pp if prepaid on arrival, is not very elaborate with in our opinion very limited choice. The breakfast also ends at 10AM, even at the weekend. The only improvement since our last visit was the charge for the cardio equipment and free weight usage has been abolished. In a 4* hotel you should not jave to pay for the gym. Especially if you have hotel chain status, which is not recognised. Our advice would be to try a hotel elsewhere in town. Hyatt could be an option next time.

The Westin Miyako Kyoto has a spectacular lobby, fabulous gardens (portions of which seem to be closed when I have visited), and a location central to walking to and from the finest Buddhist temples and gardens. However, it seems stuck in time, both in the rooms and executive lounge. If you intend to go to Kyoto to explore the Zen temples, do the Philosopher’s Walk, see the magnificent gardens, then the Westin is perfectly located. A round-trip 10K easy walk from the hotel can keep you occupied for several days. No need to worry about expensive Kyoto taxis or navigating the subway system, walking is the way to go in Kyoto and the Westin Miyako places you in the center of it all. Service at the hotel was without question excellent. Everyone seems to be well trained, and several went out of their way to make the visit more memorable. No matter the level of service, the function of the hotel is to provide lodging, and in that it seems to be stuck in the 1960s. The decor is almost antique at this point, if you prefer something like Mid-Century Modern. I don’t, as I lived through that phase at the time and see no uniqueness or redeeming aesthetic value. The room was clean, including the well worn carpet, but it just isn’t up to 21st Century standards in terms of function and connectivity. The executive floor and lounge should be where a hotel shines. Yes, the personal service in the “library lounge” was very good when available. But the layout of a separate library and concierge apart from the lounge’s food and beverage service is awkward. The refreshment area has beautiful views of the Higashiyama Mountains, especially at sunrise and sunset. However, it is small and because of that, has limited food and beverage selections. Today’s high-end hotel lounges compete on having very good wines and an ample selection of varied foods. This Westin does not. However, it does serve a modest Japanese hors d’oeuvres plate during the cocktail hour which everyone seems to enjoy. A vegetarian version was prepared especially for me, so if you have dietary restrictions, be sure to mention them in advance to the lounge concierge. This is one of those hotels where you can see that an infusion of several millions in the lodging facilities could make this hotel one of the top few in the city. It has the potential for overall excellence. However, its aging rooms simply detract too much from the luxury experience. I will return, however, as the location is probably the finest in the city for Kyoto’s most unique feature, a collection of perfectly restored and maintained gardens and temples superior to any other city in the world.