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I wrote earlier about my indecision of where to stay for our three-day trip to Kyoto. As much as I disliked the location of Hyatt Regency Kyoto, we ended up staying here because I got a free upgrade to a bigger room that fit five people in my party.

Beautiful lobby at Hyatt Regency Kyoto

We took MK Taxi from Osaka Kansai airport to the hotel. The outside of the hotel was nothing out of ordinary. But as we stepped into the lobby, I immediately noticed how peaceful it felt being here. The lobby was simply gorgeous with a very unique roof!

Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Hyatt Regency Kyoto

The bellboys took our luggage and I was led into the lobby to check in. It was only 11am but fortunately our room was ready. I provided all our passports, and oddly I was initially given only one key for five of us (three were adults!). I had to ask for two more keys. The lady asked me if I would like late check-out on the last day, which I didn’t. We were planning to leave after breakfast.

The odd design of the Hyatt Regency Kyoto Deluxe Twin room

We were given room 1107 at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, which was located on the first floor, just down the hall from the lobby area.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hallway

Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hallway

Up until now I had no idea what my supposedly upgraded deluxe room would look like. I did expect it to be a little bit more spacious than the basic room. There were five of us, so I was hoping to have some space to spread out our luggage. Well, upon entering the door, we were slightly disappointed.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Slumber party anyone?

We were surprised that the two double beds were put together into one giant big bed. We later asked them to separate the beds which was done by the time we returned from dinner.

Besides the beds, there were a desk and a TV credenza on the opposite side of the room, and two chairs. There were not enough room to lay out our luggages but we managed to make it work. There was a very narrow closet by the entrance, so narrow that you couldn’t put any bags in there!

And the strangest thing had to be the bathroom. Entering the front door, immediately to the right was the bathroom area. There was no door! The toilet area was to the right. It had a sliding door that did not lock! Adding to the oddness, directly across the bathroom area was a mirror on the closet wall. So someone sitting in the bedroom area could technically see from the mirror of everything that was going on in the shower area! We had to keep the closet door open in order to block the mirror.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

The bathroom has no door! it has one sink in there. Behind the glass door is the shower area with a tub.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto Breakfast buffet was very good

The Grill, which is the restaurant in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, serves a breakfast buffet every morning starting at 6:30am. Because we had a packed itinerary, we started our day every morning as the Grill opened. As a diamond member, breakfast was free for all five of us. We provided our room number before being seated, and we never saw the bill.

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

The Grill, located in the lobby, serves breakfast buffet every morning.

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Pancake, waffle, and eggs. You can also order custom-made eggs in any style.

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The pastries were really good! The croissants were among the best I had outside of Paris!

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Fresh salad bar

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Among the hot dishes, I loved the mushroom (2nd from the right) and the Japanese spinach.

Cheese and fruits

Cheese and fruits

Welcome drink for Diamond members

After breakfast every morning, we were out all day sightseeing and didn’t return until late at night. As a result, we didn’t stop by at the hotel’s two other restaurants – the Italian restaurant Trattoria Sette and the Japanese restaurant Touzan. We did stop by the Touzan Bar the first night for our free drink as diamond member.

Touzan Bar

Touzan Bar is located downstair below the lobby

My friend Lisa ordered a drink, and I chose hot tea.

My friend Lisa ordered a drink, and I chose hot tea.

While we were talking, a Maiko (an apprenticed geisha) came over to say hi and asked if we would like to have a picture. We asked instead if we could take a picture of her because she looked so lovely! Apparently, everyday at 6:15 pm, a Maiko from Kyoto’s Miyagawa-cho district offers a magical and elegant traditional dance in the hotel lobby. After the performance, the Maiko would be graciously available for photos in the Lobby as well as the restaurants and bar until 8 pm. We missed the dance both nights, but so happy that she stopped by the bar!

Maiko Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Conclusion

In general, we had a pleasant stay at Hyatt Regency Kyoto. Even though it is not located near any subway line (closest subway station is about 7 minutes away), the location worked out OK for us because we ended up taking taxi everywhere during our three-day visit. As far as the room goes, it was a little disappointing, especially with the strange design. However, it did fit the five of us, and I paid 40,000 points for two nights instead of paying almost $1,000. We barely spent any time at the hotel, so we didn’t check out their exercise room or the garden either. Will I return again? Maybe. I won’t say never, but it won’t be my top choice when I come back to Kyoto again.


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