Hilton Kyoto
Arrival
So I took a bus from the Kansai airport way down in Osaka Bay, and then a taxi from there to the Hilton Kyoto. I had found it as a newer property, and well, it was fall color season, so the prices were what the prices were.After being told intentionally wrong directions by an employee at the train station for where to get a cab (this is a thing they do to foreigners at times in Japan), I finally found the taxi stand and arrived about 6 minutes later at the hotel.
The Room
Well, this was the upgrade. A fairly regular room, on the top floor. Can't say I'm overwhelmed by it, but it was a decent room.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining and Drinking
There is the 7 Embers steak house (which I never was able to get to), Teori the regular dining (well, not regular but all meals), Lattice Lounge which is the bar, and the Cloud Nest a rooftop bar.Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge is an outstanding location for visual delight and relaxing seating. Although I did find the food a tad meager in its offerings.Hotel Amenities
A nice gym, a crazy and intimate pool in the basement but if there are more than 4 people seems unuseable for lap swimming. Just elegant, subtle, Japanese design at every corner and a textile theme throughout the property.Various Shots
Shots of the property from various areas
entrance2
The ever-manned front desk (no judgement, this is 3am and I didn't call them)
Seating for those waiting for friends
The very tall roof in the lobby
The prices for the in-room goodies
Manager gifts of Japanese treats
Kinda regular but plus room with a view
Japanese pjs for your in room use
Seating for 7 Embers
Teori seating
More steakhouse dining
Private dining
Rice and Congee (which is more rice)
Western Food
The salads
Weird Asian food I couldn't even try to start on
Unmolested perfect breakfast desserts (thanks to Rob's special preopening access)
Shot of most of the buffet
Many fish and rice dishes. The fish is good
Lattice Lounge, not very heavily used
The picture tells you everything you need to know
Entrance garden to the lounge
Main seating
Entry way seating (more busy)
Ahh Coca-Cola baby! Marriott, break that contract with Pepsi
Miso soup, just outstanding taste and great for digestion
Maybe half of this I could even attempt to eat
A good offering of booze, sake and wine
Lots of machines
Actual good amount of free weights like I like
Fancy hall to the pool
Welcoming light to the entrance every night I returned
Subtle street notification of where to go
This was going to be the main shot until I had a better one down the street
Summary
This Hilton is the nicest city Hilton I have stayed at since I can remember traveling. They state it's 5 star. From 4 to 5, I am not the best to judge, but is it elegant? Yes. Does it have a super fancy bar? Yes. Does it have a steakhouse? Why yes. An Executive Lounge? Yes Timmy, it has that too, plus a rooftop bar that I am giving its own post because it's the place you wanna be after sunset.Lounge is a toss-up, I mean you get Teori for breakfast, and free drinks at night, so I will leave that cost differential to you (all day access and tea service if you're into that at the lounge too).
A definite "stay here if you are in Kyoto" hotel.