Hi, I’m Meg.
In autumn 2019, I stayed at Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, right after it opened, and also at The Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto.
And in 2020, I visited Kyoto again to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage.
This time, I returned to see how The Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto has evolved since then.
When I stayed in 2019, only a portion of the guest rooms had been completed, and the hotel’s new hot spring bath was scheduled to open in 2020. Unfortunately, due to construction delays caused by the pandemic, the hot spring is still not ready — maybe next time!
1. Entrance
Even during the pandemic, The Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto continued to operate its complimentary shuttle service from Kyoto Station — a huge help for travelers.
At that time, the shuttle runs every 20 minutes, but starting in December, it will switch to every 30 minutes (twice an hour), so be sure to check the latest schedule before your trip.
The hotel also has a concierge desk at Kyoto Station, which is very convenient. During business hours (at the time of my visit in November, 1:00–6:00 pm), you can leave your luggage there and explore the city hands-free.
When I arrived at the hotel, a large Christmas tree was beautifully displayed at the entrance, creating a festive atmosphere.
During my previous stay, the lobby looked rather plain with just a decorated flower,
but this time, two massive Christmas trees stood proudly in the lobby, with a cozy fireplace and a pile of presents in between — absolutely stunning! 🎄
They were huge — I can only imagine how long it must’ve taken to decorate them!
Looking down from the atrium above, the holiday decorations made the space feel magical and uplifting.
2. Room Categories
The last time I stayed, only deluxe rooms were opened so naturally there was no upgrade. But this time, all the rooms were opened so I expected to be upgraded a little (a lot?!). Club level rooms have access to the Executive Lounge.
Booked Deluxe room as I used points.
Deluxe ←booked
Deluxe Heiankyo view
Club level junior suite
Club level junior suite Heiankyo view
Higashiyama, Club level 1 bedroom suite garden view
Club level luxury suite
Club level luxury suite Heiankyo view
Club level 2 bedroom suite
Club level Kasuien 1 bedroom suite
I told the staff that the room I stayed before had almost no view so prefer Heiankyo view room if possible and they kindly assigned me the Heiankyo view room!
(Later, I asked to change the room again, reason? check below)
3. Deluxe Heiankyo View Room
My room was on the 8th floor of the 11-story hotel. Executive Lounge and Fitness center are located on the 3rd floor.
Sky blue carpet corridor.
Opening the door, Heiankyo view must catch your eyes.
The beds were large and comfortable, the Westin Heavenly Bed — Westin’s signature mattress.
A large TV in front of the beds, and a humidifying air purifier.
USB port and outlet, alarm clock, 100% natural lavender balm on the bedside.
A small round table, a stool and a chair by the window (balcony).
You can step out to the balcony.
Next to TV is a wooden cabinet.
Inside the cabinet, minibar, mini-fridge with paid drinks, cups and glasses.
paid wine, complimentary green tea bag and bottled water, illy coffee machine, T-fal electric kettle.
You can find complimentary illy’s coffee capsules, Twinings tea bags (English Breakfast) in the back pocket of the cabinet door.
Stylish dressing mirror
In the closet, there were bathrobe, slippers, shoe shine basket,
safe box,
pajamas in the drawer,
Yukata (Japanese kimono style cotton robe)
The rooms of the bottom half of the map are the Heiankyo view rooms. As you can see, Deluxe Heiankyo view room are the smallest.
You need to close the bathroom door when you use the restroom as there’s no door for the restroom itself.
As you can see, there’s only a partial frosted glass partition.
If I could think it as an all-in-one bathroom, it would be okay, but it doesn’t look like it and I feel a bit uncomfortable. It’s okay if traveling with family, but this time it wasn’t. This was the reason I asked to change the room.
Bath amenities in the drawer. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion were by Westin’s Original heavenly spa’s White Tea Aloe.
One bath robe was in a bathroom and the other in a closet.
Bath room with a bath tub, hand shower and rain shower.
An automatic bath water filling timer! It’s very convenient as you don’t need to worry about hot water overflowing.
Japanese style bathroom, bathtub and washing space with a shower and a bath chair.
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a soap bar were also in the bathroom.
The room was very nice considering it to be a basic category. I strongly recommend you to book Heiankyo view room as you’ll love the city view from the room.
4. Luxury Suite
This time, I stayed in the Luxury Suite on the 7th floor. The carpet changed from sky blue to beige when you stepped in to the suite room area.
The structure of the hotel building was complicated so I would easily get lost…
Upon opening the door, you’ll see the spacious living room in front of you.
Slippers in the closet were fluffier.
Tankless toilet.
Even a washing space in the restroom.
The suite’s living area featured a comfortable unique form sofa,
work desk with USB port and outlet,
mini bar in the corner and a bathroom
2 complimentary bottled water, illy coffee machine, Balmuda electric kettle, Twinings tea bags, heavy iron kettle teapot, mini-fridge with paid drinks,
cups and glasses in the drawer.
The bathroom features double sink. There are also two large mirrors. Under the sink are bath amenities, towels, and a scale. The bathtub, of course, comes with an automatic timer for filling with hot water.
A bathrobe was hanging behind the sink on the left, and there was also a stool. Having a stool makes it easier to sit down when using the hair dryer!
The bath amenities are neatly boxed and complete. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion are Westin Original Heavenly Spa White Tea Aloe. Up to this point, they are the same as in the Deluxe Room.
In addition to the above, a cosmetic set in a pouch. It includes SOTHYS cleansing milk, lotion, cream, body lotion, and sleeping mask from France. There is also a cosmetic soap outside the pouch.
Sothys shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were also provided in the bathroom.
The bathroom is spacious. The bathtub is deep, large, and comfortable. The shower area is also spacious and includes a wash basin and bath stool.
The shower is movable. A rain shower is also available.
Looking from the bathroom into the living room, you can see the bedroom at the far end. The ceiling is raised slightly higher, making the living room feel more spacious.
The bedroom also has high ceilings. The room was on the 7th floor, yet strangely enough, a large tree is visible from the window.
The next day, I saw it had become an aerial garden like this (that’s why you can see trees from the 7th floor). There’s a wedding venue, allowing direct access to this garden from the hall. Peering through the window, I could faintly see the city view to the right.
At the bedside are various lighting controls, an electrical outlet, a USB port, a clock, a telephone, individually wrapped alcohol-soaked cotton pads, and lavender balm.
The bed felt spacious. A walk-in closet at the back of the bed.
The closet door can be opened and closed.
There are plenty of hangers. Deodorizing spray, bathrobes, iron, ironing board. The chest of drawers contains a security box, pajamas, and yukata.
The pajamas are a two-piece set.
There is a dressing table just outside the closet.
A large TV was positioned directly in front of the bed, with a humidifying air purifier placed beneath it. The door leading to the living room could be opened and closed.
It was incredibly spacious and super comfortable!! Thanks for the upgrade ♡
Since it was just renovated, everything is brand new, clean, and comfortable. Although the hotel category was moved up and the room rates are quite high compared to other areas, it feels relatively affordable (or at least gives that illusion) among Kyoto’s luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Suiran, and Hotel The Mitsui. Plus, it has a club lounge and free shuttle bus from Kyoto station, so I think it’s a good deal “within Kyoto.”
The Westin Miyako Kyoto is not too luxury but just the right balance of refinement and relaxation. The hotel’s location is also excellent — just a short walk to Keage Station, and within easy reach of Eikando Zenrinji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian Shrine and Kyoto City Zoo.
Whether you’re visiting Kyoto for the first time or returning for another season, why not consider adding it to your list of hotel options in Kyoto?
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