Doubletree, Kyoto Station
Arrival
I took a taxi from the previous hotel, because Kyoto, while walkable, is not bag-carrying walkable and the subway was strange to me, so yeah, anyways, taxi.Also, I chose the Doubletree, Kyoto Station because shockingly the rate was great during fall color season (which was super delayed because of global warming). It is also next to the train station for my visit to the next town on my list.
Dropped off right in front, I made my way in and started the check-in process. I did a little back and forth for a better room than booked. Yeah, high hotel status still requires me to have to ask many times for upgrade availability around the world.
The Room
I got a room size upgrade, kinda a junior suite size and for Japan, this is big.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining and Drinking
There is a bar/coffee place called the Grove Lounge. It's usually filled with people just sitting there or doing work on computers, and I didn't really dine here.Now, the Harvest Kitchen, I did lunch and breakfast in this one. It's solid, good food, many national cuisines represented, and I would say reasonable in price given the location. The breakfast buffet is insane in items and in how busy it is!
Executive Lounge
Now, a real surprise, because I am not used to this in a Doubletree, was the outstanding Executive Lounge with service at the level of a 4- or 5-star property. A feature not to be undersold or underestimated as a reason to choose this hotel.Hotel Amenities
Wooden keys are all the rage in Asia now
Not the biggest room, but at least 2nd biggest
I was told this is common in Japan to have PJs provided
Grove, drinks, treats and coffee
The Harvest Kitchen Burger
The Harvest Kitchen Curry
Hey, here are the lunch options
The breads and donuts (I think only one company makes donuts in Japan, everywhere was the same)
Green tea ice cream for breakfast? No thanks, I'd rather die
The American waffles, vs... I dunno what, but sugar makes it American
Meatballs, ok, the tater tots though, awesome
Salads, you have gone too far and must be cut back for this offense at breakfast
The Lounge, your privilege is rewarded inside
Quite competent and powerful lounge desk
A very large amount of hot and quality items
So much more than in USA is available
Pizza seems to be a very desired item here
All the dinner
Well, let's have a drink while we're at it?
Refreshing drinks, ahh Hilton and Coke
Big gym, but mostly devices
The free weights
Too many machines for a weight driven guy like me
So the washing function was great, but drying was a joke. 2 hours and still everything was wet. Just hang it in your room and burn out the hair dryer to do it
Summary
At first it seemed a pretty normal hotel, until I got into it and the food service, plus the lounge, are just so good.Steps from the main train station, the location is so convenient. There is no question here - get lounge access. Just do it. So good plus it allows the full buffet at Harvest if you choose (but it's so busy I wouldn't).