As the former ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto is famous for its sprawling gardens, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and seasonally inspired cuisine. Perhaps, above all, it’s known for being the embodiment of omotenashi, the Japanese art of selfless hospitality. The city is easily reachable from Tokyo on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and while a weekend trip is certainly worth it, you may want to plan spend more than a few days if you want to truly immerse yourself in the history here. Whether you’re looking to be in the bustling, historic heart of the city or would prefer a Zen-like riverside retreat inspired by traditional ryokan (Japanese inns), there’s no shortage of luxurious, hospitality-focused places to stay in Kyoto. These are the seven best hotels in Kyoto.
Top Places to Stay
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$$$Location: HigashiyamaNearby Attractions: Kyoto National Museum, Toyokuni Shrine, Sanjūsangen-dō TempleStandout Amenities: Luxury bath products, twice daily housekeeping, indoor pool
Spacious suites wrap around an 800-year-old pond and dreamy cherry tree garden at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, which Travel + Leisure readers voted into our World’s Best Awards in 2022 and 2023. The brand’s dreamy design, excellent family-friendly programming, and unique local experiences (like a rickshaw tour or kintsugi class) make it a popular choice for visitors seeking a well-appointed home in the center of the city. From the bamboo-lined driveway to the peaceful garden, guests are transported when they enter the hotel.
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Lobby of Hyatt Regency Kyoto.
Hyatt
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$Location: HigashiyamaNearby Attractions: Kyoto National Museum, Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyoto TowerStandout Amenities: Japanese-inspired rooms, concierge services, spa and fitness center
Enter through a bamboo forest and into the striking lattice-work lobby of the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, where 187 rooms and suites offer modern comfort elevated with Japanese touches, such as colorful kimono fabric headboards, paper lamps, and soaking tubs. The downtown property caters to business and leisure travelers alike, with delicious Italian and Japanese dining options on-site, as well as the relaxing Riraku Spa.
Park Hyatt Kyoto
Guest room at Park Hyatt Kyoto.
Hyatt
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$$$Location: HigashiyamaNearby Attractions: Ishibe Alley, Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji TempleStandout Amenities: Sleek room design with floor-to-ceiling windows, Aesop toiletries, Japanese-style bathhouse
Set at the top of tourist-thronged Ninenzaka, a sloping street of traditional buildings and souvenir shops, the Park Hyatt Kyoto offers exceptional vistas over the city’s tiled rooftops, as well as unbeatable proximity to popular restaurants, temples, shrines, and scenic alleyways. Despite being in the thick of it all, the property itself is tranquil, with manicured garden paths and 70 rooms and suites juxtaposing fragrant tamo wood with dark marble bathrooms.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
A colorful guest room inside Ace Hotel Kyoto.
Yoshihiro Makino / Ace Hotel Kyoto
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$Location: KarasumaNearby Attractions: Teramachi Dori, Nishiki Market, Kyoto GyoenStandout Amenities: Decorated with local art, fitness center, pet-friendly
Cultures collide and complement each other at the Ace’s bold, Americana-accented hotel in Kyoto, which earned a spot on our 2021 It List after opening the previous year. Midcentury decor is juxtaposed with Noguchi-style paper lamps, vibrantly patterned carpets and wall coverings, as well as the work of dozens of local artisans. If you’re craving a taste of home, you’ll be delighted by the various dining options, including tacos at Piopiko and Italian classics at Mr. Maurice’s Italian.
Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts
A guest room with a view in Roku Kyoto.
Roku Kyoto
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$$Location: KinugasaNearby Attractions: Mount Hidari, Funaoka Onsen, Daitoku-ji Temple
Standout Amenities: Natural hot spring tubs, concierge services, outdoor pool
At the base of the Takagamine mountains, this editor-loved resort earned a spot on our It List in 2022 thanks to top-tier amenities like a year-round thermal pool, an intimate Chef’s Table dining experience, and restorative spa treatments. Rooms are refined and boast stone soaking tubs, as well as picture windows looking out over the lush natural scenery. While it’s a drive from downtown Kyoto and the popular Gion district, the exceptional serenity is worth it.
Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
A large guest suitein Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto.
Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$$Location: Nakagyo-kuNearby Attractions: Nijo Castle, Ikebana Museum, Kyoto Imperial PalaceStandout Amenities: On-site onsen, concierge services, meticulously landscaped grounds
Wander through the 18th-century entrance gate and hall of beautiful, Fushimi Inari-inspired wooden archways, and you’ll find a sleek, serene oasis that once belonged to Japan’s famed Mitsui family. Inspired by traditional tearooms, the 160 minimalist rooms and suites feature natural materials like stone tubs, raw wooden tables, and private onsen access from certain suites. The property is just across from Nijo Castle, one of the city’s top destinations.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Courtesy of Marriott
Also available to book at Expedia.com
Rates: $$$Location: Nakagyo WardNearby Attractions: Gion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki MarketStandout Amenities: Turndown service, Michelin-starred restaurant, indoor pool and fitness center
Perched on the blossom-lined banks of the Kamogawa River, this elegant Meiji era-inspired property and 2020 World’s Best Awards winner offers some of the most spacious suites in Kyoto, many of which boast large picture windows overlooking the river or mountains. Over 400 works of Japanese modern art decorate the property, which is home to a tranquil spa, heated indoor lap pool, Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, and Pierre Hermé pastry boutique.
AloJapan.com