A Remarkable Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Pertinax
For my wife and me the Granvia was the perfect hotel for Kyoto. I suppose if I were twenty I'd prefer to be in the northwest of the city sleeping on the floor, steeping myself in the culture of Old Kyoto even in my hotel room. But I'm not, and I was bowled over by the luxury of the New Japan, a hyper-modern feat of architecture growing organically out of the award-winning design for the Kyoto railway station. You don't sweat out the hour of your arrival getting a taxi and then finding the way to an inn. You rise majestically with your luggage (since we were on a round-the-world trip, that meant three pieces each) to the lobby floor, and from then on are cosseted by a well-trained and gracious staff. Our room was elegant, with all mod cons a leap ahead of the wave: an over-sized flat-screen television monitor, lighting panels that allow you to choose the mood setting for the room, and of course the much-discussed interactive Japanese toilets. You can get used to all of them pretty quickly.
The in-house Japanese restaurants were of a high standard; the western one was so-so, but when you arrive at an odd hour it is very welcome ... and welcoming, too. The lobby-floor bar has a half-price happy hour that makes Suntori's most expensive malts affordable, and they're worth it.
It goes without saying that as a transportation hub the Granvia is matchless. Remember that you're living right over the main raliway station. All forms of public transportation (and private too, for that matter, since the hotel will quickly arrange a private car for any outng you wish) are simply an escalator moment away. When you take a taxi to an out-of-the-way temple, you go equipped with a series of directions in Japanese provided by the concierge. That means you get to see a lot of things you would otherwise miss. And if you want to go to other cities in the province, Nara for instance, you just take the elevator down into the main station and are whisked away. And yes, the bullet train too comes right to the foot of the hotel.
Of course you don't go to Kyoto for the hyper-modern. But Old Kyoto is right there for your mornings, afternoons, and if you're in the mood, evenings. It's a contrast, all right, but that's part of its beauty. Thesis and antithesis. We thought it was great..
Great Location
by TripAdvisor Member CCRR
As almost everyone else has stated previously, the location is great. You can get off of the train and the hotel is just a few steps away. Our room was spacious, but provided no view to speak of. Although after dark we could see the lights shining through the train terminal and we were able to see Kyoto Tower. We booked directly through their web site and paid under $150 per night. From the hotel's location you can easily take the metro, trains or buses all over. There are also three temples within walking distance of the hotel. We were looking for an obscure little spice store in a very remote area of Kyoto, and the concierge was very courteous and mapped out directions and which buses to take to get there. We didn't eat at the hotel. There were too many wonderful places to eat in Kyoto as well as "The Cube." I highly recommend Andersen's. The pastries are delicious -- I'm still dreaming of them -- and two of us were able to eat very well for under $10.00. The only drawback is that they don't have coffee, but there's a coffee place just a couple of steps away or you could also grab a coffee upstairs at Cafe Du Monde. A suggestion for dinner would be downstairs in The Cube where they feature a deli style food court. You can try little bits of everything. Several places have free samples. It's inexpensive and really good! Our feet were killing us from being out and about all day so we used the food court to make up a picnic and then took it back up to the room to rest and relax with our bounty. Only one caveat: if you decide to go to the food court try to go before 7:30pm. The commuters flood the place from about 5:00 to 7:00, so after that time the food merchants start to run out of some of the best goodies. There are also some great restaurants on the top floor of the train station that are more upscale, and most seemed to be reasonably priced.
Forum Posts
Booking with Orbitz
by muffet08
Hi and help please!
My friend and I are traveling to Kyoto and have booked our hotel room the Granvia with Orbitz (internet hotel booking service)
We will not arrive in Kyoto until about 7pm.I have asked Orbitz to advize Granvia but they said they could not hold the room until after 4pm.Is this usual --- do you have any idea what to do?
RE: Booking with Orbitz
by liqdstar
Did you try calling the hotel yourself and telling them you will be arriving late?
RE: RE: Booking with Orbitz
by appleseed81
i think it'll be useless trying to call the hotel as most likely they can't speak proper english... (unless ya fluent in jap)
is there any cancellation charge?
if not, you can try booking with this site... http://www.coo.ne.jp/english/
very reliable n good rates... good luck!
RE: Booking with Orbitz
by yvr
Most internet travel agencies when booking a hotel room ask for a credit card for guarantee arrival. This means, the room will be held for your regardless of when you arrive, and if you don't arrive a one night charge will be made against your credit card.
RE: RE: Booking with Orbitz
by liqdstar
It's a large business hotel in Kyoto. I'm pretty sure they would speak English ;-)
They should hold your room for you, they do have you cc #. Check out the reviews on tripadvisor.com
Seems like other people had probs when booking online too, so might be best to be safe & call and confirm.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298564-d307434-Reviews-or10-Hotel_Granvia_Kyoto-Kyoto_Kinki.html
RE: Booking with Orbitz
by yvr
why don't you just book this through a local travel agency, they can do it right the first time.
RE: Booking with Orbitz
by ms_maya
Hello
I am travelling to Kyoto in July and like you, I will also be arriving at Kansai Airport at about 6 p.m. and then have to take a train (1½ hours) to Kyoto. I have booked online into Hotel Station Kyoto (due to its location). I explained to the hotel on the phone and gave them my flight times, etc. and they were more than happy to hold my room for me. Perhaps you could try speaking direct to your hotel, I am sure they will accommodate you.
Best regards
Maya - Lancashire, England
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