Day 6 in Nara: NEW MIYAKO HOTEL, A REVIEW - Heian Jingu Shrine - Nanzenji temple and grounds - Nijojyo Castle - Golden Pavilion Temple
Even as our train continued to speed past the scenic countryside and the setting sun burnt the skies with a wipe of dramatic yellow, I found myself admiring the paper snowwhite and Redrose had handed over to me, when we had parted just a few minutes before.
Even as our train continued to speed past the scenic countryside and the setting sun burnt the skies with a wipe of dramatic yellow, I found myself admiring the paper snowwhite and Redrose had handed over to me, when we had parted just a few minutes before.
Use this to find the way to your hotel in Kyoto...
After living every moment that life had rolled my way, we had finally waved goodbye to a place replete with beauty, culture, history, homeliness, warmth, hospitality... and friends, all packed into one - Nara. Two days in Nara had flown by in a whiffy and though Kyoto was supposed to be the one more popular amongst the two destinations, according to the various guidebooks for all that we read, I now doubted if it could ever beat the magic of my entire Nara experience.
Even as my mind filled up with thoughts like these, Hotel New Miyako – our place of overnight stay in Kyoto was gearing up to offer some sort of consolation.
Hotel New Miyako, Kyoto: A Review
At first glance:
It promised one word and that was - Luxury! It’s grand lavish exteriors were inviting and could easily pass of as any 5 star hotel in India.
Entrance to the Hotel New Miyako, Kyoto
What added to it’s alluring appeal, however, were the exceptionally reasonable room tariffs that the hotel had offered to us on account of booking it online. Excellent, both for the looks as well as value for money.
Room, Interiors and Ambiance:
After admiring the exteriors, we made our way towards our pre-booked standard twin room.
Way to the room
Warm and wood toned, the room had everything in place -
Fluffy beds
Japanese art
... And, oodles of serenity. Just the kind you want after a long, hectic day.
Speeding views:
Perched on the 7th floor, the views from the window were amazing, with the lit up streets at night,
The view from the balcony at night
Shinkansen Bullet train from the hotel window
Easy accessibility: It’s proximity to the Shinkansen/ JR/ Kintetsu Kyoto station makes it easier to locate and also serves as a good starting point for getting around.
Things I missed: Free Internet connectivity with my room tariff, something that I had enjoyed while my stay in Tokyo (please note that the hotel has free wi-fi) and my Villa fontaine bread - butter – orange juice breakfast, two things I wished for while my stay in Kyoto.
Overall Conclusions - Highly Recommended:
Though it was a very short stay of one night, the high degree of comfort, value for money and relaxation infused in the various elements of the hotel so also it's proximity to the Kyoto station have ensured that I’ve bookmarked the hotel for the next time, if ever there is one that is!
Tips for travelers:
1. Book online and save yourself some money: Do not forget to avail the online booking facility and get access to huge discounts on the room tariffs.
Sample this – Our standard twin sized room (26 m. sq. in size), otherwise priced at 32,340 Yen, cost us only around 9000 Yen - thanks to stardust and cosmos who booked it for us via the hotel’s internet reservation form!
For reservations and enquiries, you can visit – http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp
Address: Hachijyo-guchi, Kyoto station, Kyoto.
Contact: (075) 661-7111
Tips for travelers:
1. Book online and save yourself some money: Do not forget to avail the online booking facility and get access to huge discounts on the room tariffs.
Sample this – Our standard twin sized room (26 m. sq. in size), otherwise priced at 32,340 Yen, cost us only around 9000 Yen - thanks to stardust and cosmos who booked it for us via the hotel’s internet reservation form!
For reservations and enquiries, you can visit – http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp
Address: Hachijyo-guchi, Kyoto station, Kyoto.
Contact: (075) 661-7111
Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -
1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
2. Sunrise pictures from the flight to Japan
3. Entire Day 1 of Japan (includes Review of Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo, Expedia Japan Office Meet: An Afternoon to Remember)
1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
2. Sunrise pictures from the flight to Japan
3. Entire Day 1 of Japan (includes Review of Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo, Expedia Japan Office Meet: An Afternoon to Remember)
4. Entire Day 2 of Japan (includes SensoJi temple: Asakusa - Tokyo, Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo, Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo, A Stroll in the Hibiya Gardens, Imperial Palace and East Gardens, The Tokyo Tower, Japan)
5. Entire Day 3 of Japan (includes Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, ISKCON Temple, Funabori in Tokyo, Epson Aquarium, Shinagawa in Tokyo)
6. Entire Day 4 of Japan - Nara (includes Riding the Shinkansen: My ticket to Kyoto, Hello Nara (Planning and Welcome), Driving through Nara: An Introduction, Horyu-ji Temple, Tea Ceremony in Jiko-in Zen Temple)
7. Entire Day 5 of Japan - Nara: (includes Messengers of God: Deer in Nara Park, The Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, A Walk in the Yoshikien Garden, Kofukuji Temple, Naramachi Street)
7. Entire Day 5 of Japan - Nara: (includes Messengers of God: Deer in Nara Park, The Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, A Walk in the Yoshikien Garden, Kofukuji Temple, Naramachi Street)
50 Comments
It looks very comfortable and convenient. Love that paper slip of translation!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds like a great hotel! Just the kind you want to have on a long trip! Wonderful captures as always Arti!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful hotel
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to see the inside of something that looks so fancy and modern on the outside! And also to see what a non-American hotel looks like and the differences. Is there T.V. in the rooms? Maybe your country does not watch like we do here.
ReplyDeletefrom mountains of Himalayas to techie Kyoto.. Yatra moves!
ReplyDeleteWeakest LINK
Nice place arti, i love the orange colour in the wall :)
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone :-)
ReplyDelete@Ginny: Yes, there was one but no use to us as all the channels were in the local language - Japanese.
You stayed at a great hotel I would like to stay there, too :)
ReplyDeleteNice to read you post Arti.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat description of nice hotel .
ReplyDeletenice review and nice hotel
ReplyDeleteOh, those fluffy beds look super comfortable!
ReplyDeletegood post. had stayed in kawasaki daishi for a few weeks and can never forget the japanese experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that real great innovation at the highest range is still rare in the hotels business...at the very top end, you can never tell the country - or even the continent - of a hotel by looking at a room from inside.
ReplyDeleteHi Arti...Looks like a good hotel, and I am glad that it was not those really small rooms that some hotels in Japan have. Really liked the picture of bullet train, almost looks like the front of a plane.
ReplyDeleteThanks
So neat and tidy -- looks like another great travel experience Arti!
ReplyDeleteI checked the blogs of snowwhite and redrose and I was feeling low to have such a plain blog name...:(
ReplyDeleteI'll take your recommendation. I think whenever anyone from Indiblogger will plan a trip to Japan, they will surely refer your post. BTW, when are you going to Melbourne?
What a beautiful place. I'd sure love to stay there!
ReplyDeleteyes, I suspect that once visiting Nara it would linger in your heart. I see this from Snowwhite's website and her photos. Your room looked to be very comfortable, but I too would miss Wi-Fi in the room. Perhaps that's a good thing - saving time otherwise spent on-line! I like the Bullet Train, did you ride? (maybe I missed that post). Your travel guide is superb, much useful information and I'm glad you showed us the inside of the hotel. happy week to you Arti.
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteHope this finds you well.
My name is Madhu Nair and I run 10YearItch.com (India Travel Portal).
We have introduced a new series of Traveler Interviews where we interview India travel enthusiasts.
The idea is to inspire people to get off their comfort zone and to experience the real India.
We wanted to enquire if you would be available for the above Interview Series.
Like all our interviews, this would be an email based interview, where we email you the questions and you can answer them via email.
Here is are couple of links of our published interviews :
http://10yearitch.com/category/interviews/
I shall look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Madhu
Looks like a nice hotel, and I hope everything went well for you!
ReplyDeleteNice looking place. I wish that was my itinerary!
ReplyDeleteYou got a good deal and the room looks fairly large and comfortable. Nice review and photos to help future visitors.
ReplyDeleteI love the view from the hotel balcony and the sight of the bullet train from the hotel :) I would love to have some tea with you there...thank you again for taking us to a beautiful place virtually...may your day be blessed always :)
ReplyDeleteYou were so fortunate to get a nice hotel at a good bargain!
ReplyDeleteI knew online booking but it was a surprise at such a big difference.
You must've had a goodnight sleep after a long hectic schedule in Nara and for the final exploration in Kyoto the following day. I remember your smile, Arti.
Thankyou for the interesting review on the hotel.I too found the hotels in Japan really excellent and staff so helpful. I loved my visit to Japan. I didn't however get to Nara but did see Kyoto.
ReplyDeleteHi,Arti
ReplyDeleteWe are happy that paper was helpful for you.I was surprised to see that you have still kept the paper...Please keep it until we meet again in Nara!!! Now I am recalling your charming smile on your face.
Have a good day!
Tomoko
good post and good photographs... will be of great use to people travelling to Japan...
ReplyDeleteHi there - did not know about the coincidence of our National Days. I may have travelled on that train!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Stewart M - Melbourne
Thank you everyone. I hope this post can serve as a good help to all those who plan a trip to Kyoto and are looking for a good place to stay.
ReplyDelete@ cosmos: …And I remember yours :)
@ Madhu, Ten Year Itch: Thank you. I like the initiative and would love to be a part of this. Please write to me further at 22arti(at)gmail(dot)com.
@ Ms Becky: True perspective. The hotel’s internet café had separate charges and though the room had wifi, it was useless to me since I was not carrying a laptop.
I did ride the Shinkasen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Nara and back again. Here is the link, please go through if you would like to have a read -
Shinkansen Bullet Train in Japan
@ Saru: You are right, Saru :) Their blog names are indeed very creative and their content is very rich too. Regarding Melbourne, things still lying in the pipeline.
@kulasa: Would love to have your company, anyday :)
@Red Rose: haha, tomoko-san.. you wouldn’t believe but I have many more things like these still very neatly stacked and treasured in my bag :)
It'S nice to visit Kyoto. Miyako hotel is very near to the Kyoto railway station.
ReplyDeleteI expect your next post about Kyoto sightseeing.
Quite a neat and beautiful hotel.
ReplyDeleteNot at all what I was expecting, I think the inside is so much nicer than I had imagined looking at the outside.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so interesting to me the many ways there are to save money on hotel rooms, air fares,cruises, pretty much any travel! The smart planner can save a bundle.
ReplyDeletewow, another great tips for a visit to Kyoto and Japan, wow, did not know you have posted 7 already about your trip to Japan, love it, very helpful for those planning for visit there.
ReplyDeleteI’m happy to know that you were so satisfied with the hotel. I smiled to remember that we (cosmos and I) didn’t know your family name and booked a room as Arti Yatra. :-) As you know, accommodation fee is so costly in Japan, so booking online is highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Thank you very much Yoko (and cosmos) for helping us out with the hotel bookings.
DeleteTo find everything organized, planned and booked for us well in advance gave us a wonderful feeling once we were there, in Japan. I remember very well about the name, it makes me smile too... the blog, the yatra had been a beautiful connector throughout... Thank you once again and kindly excuse me for my being lazy and replying late here.
Do you, Arti? hahaha.... surprising!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Tomoko
Good review on the hotel!
ReplyDeleteawesome snap of the bullet train passing right through the heart of the city !
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Arti. I'd love to experience the serenity and homeliness you describe. Just the thing you want after a long day on the road.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of the word Nara -- at least the way I think it should sound.
A beautiful hotel deserving of a 5 start tag! Wonderful pics too Arti! Serenity is something I look forward to in a Hotel and I found it in the pics you shared! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say It could beat any Indian 5 star hotel. Specially the view outside was great with Bullet train flying there.
ReplyDeleteyou must had a great there :)
Nice review.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review Arti..:-)
ReplyDeleteNeat !
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to stay.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great hotel to stay in Kyoto..... A nice review to add with..... Thanks for the share...
ReplyDeleteIt is a delight to read your travel posts Arti,they are warm with a personal touch!
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)