The Westin Miyako Kyoto

1. The location isn't in the city center, but it's very close to Nanzen-ji Temple and Eikan-do Temple. There's a dedicated shuttle bus from the hotel at the south exit of Kyoto Station, running twice an hour, and the driver was very friendly. 2. The hotel is superb, renovated in recent years, and backs onto Higashiyama. There's a hiking trail leading out from the 7th floor, and a separate, incredibly beautiful Japanese garden hotel called Kasui-en, which is even more expensive than Hoshinoya Kyoto. 3. The room facilities are fantastic; I'm planning to use them as inspiration for future renovations. The shower room has a super luxurious feel. 4. Breakfast was also excellent, with freshly made sushi, rice noodles, and more – a very extensive spread with a great view. 5. The staff were all very nice. 7. The onsen (hot spring) was also fantastic, with great decor. 8. I would definitely stay here again.

The room layout wasn't particularly efficient; there were many awkward corners that wasted space, which meant a 2-meter bed couldn't fit. It felt a bit small, and not very family-friendly when traveling with kids. However, during our stay, it was my wife's birthday, and the hotel thoughtfully prepared a birthday cake, which was a lovely touch. They also provided lavender oil as an amenity to aid sleep. The hot spring was absolutely fantastic; soaking in it was incredibly relaxing, and all the amenities were excellent. The staff's service was also very pleasant. What made this hotel truly special was the direct access from the seventh floor to the Kachoen Garden on the back hill – a beautiful courtyard. You can even hike up and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto, and we even spotted two huge porcini mushrooms along the way! For transportation, there's a shuttle bus every half hour to Sanjo, Shijo, and the train station. They also offer luggage direct delivery service between the hotel and the train station, which is super convenient. For breakfast, my favorites were the onigiri and udon noodles. My little one could eat 5 onigiri in one sitting! Each topping for the udon noodles, though seemingly ordinary, was full of flavor and absolutely delicious – a definite thumbs up. The only downside is the daily queue for breakfast; the staff's efficiency is indeed quite low. A table would be empty for 5 minutes after guests left without being cleaned, then another 5 minutes after cleaning before new guests were led in. The staff also didn't proactively clear empty plates from guests' tables, so overall, service was very slow. I hope the hotel can improve this aspect.

This was my third stay at the Westin Miyako Kyoto, and this time I stayed for four consecutive nights. What's changed: The room now includes paper cranes and welcome candies, and the skincare products have been switched to POLA. Downside: There are now many modified cars and heavy motorcycles on the road in front of the hotel. If you want to enjoy the view of Heian-kyo, you'll have to put up with the roaring sounds that occasionally echo through the night. I raised concerns about the noise affecting my sleep, and the hotel's solution was the earplugs shown in picture two. Housekeeping was also inconsistent (on the second day, I left at 9:30 AM and pressed the 'make up room' button, but when I returned at 2 PM, it hadn't been cleaned, so we had to stay in the room while it was being cleaned). They also forgot to restock the mini-bar. After the bedding was changed, the room was filled with lint and dust, which made me uncomfortable when I returned. The level of dust can be seen on the vanity in picture three. It's a shame that two basic expectations (a livable room environment and ensuring sleep quality) were not met.

Very nice and comfortable hotel. The service is top-notch. It's convenient to stay here for Kyoto Station, and the onsen (hot spring) is absolutely amazing.

The hotel environment and rooms are excellent, and the service is great, but there's no Chinese-speaking staff! The hot springs at the hotel are truly amazing; they really help you unwind after a long day! The hotel's buffet breakfast is also very rich and comprehensive. I didn't get a chance to try the French restaurant or the bar's afternoon tea this time, but I'm looking forward to it next time!

This branded hotel in Kyoto offers great value for money. Kyoto is home to many luxury hotels like Aman, Capella, and Park Hyatt, which can be quite pricey and are better suited for a staycation to truly immerse oneself in Kyoto's culture. For this one-night stay, I chose the Westin. It's a large, established five-star hotel. Although it's older, all the details are still very well-maintained. The hotel is within walking distance of Nanzen-ji Temple, and a short taxi ride to Kawaramachi Shijo and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. There's also a shuttle bus to Kyoto Station every hour at 10 and 40 minutes past, which is very convenient. I booked two rooms and they were assigned next to each other. They even gave us the rooms at 12 PM, and the rooms had balconies. The breakfast was plentiful and excellent, with many freshly prepared dishes. For a hotel of this caliber in Kyoto, the price is truly remarkable.

The room was spacious and well-equipped. It's very close to Nanzenji Temple, and it was peaceful at night. There are also many great restaurants nearby, all within walking distance.