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Stay at these editor-loved and T+L award-winning hotels in Kyoto.
Courtesy of Hoshinoya Kyoto
As the former ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto is famous for its sprawling gardens, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, seasonally-inspired cuisine, and perhaps above all, for omotenashi, the art of Japanese hospitality and mindfulness.
The city continues to be a cultural hub, and is easily reachable by the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo. While even just a weekend trip is worth it, the destination certainly merits more than a few days in order to truly immerse yourself in the history here. During a recent solo trip to Japan, I spent a few transcendent days at Aman Kyoto, a minimalist haven secluded in a forest north of the city. That hotel, as well as others that T+L editors have visited and loved, made it onto this list; many others were voted into the T+L World’s Best Awards, as well as our annual, editor-curated It List.
Whether you’re looking to be in the bustling, historic heart of the city, or would prefer a Zen-like riverside retreat inspired by a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), there’s no shortage of luxurious, hospitality-focused places to stay in Kyoto. Read on for a list of the nine best hotels in Kyoto, from hilltop hideaways to serene escapes just steps from the top sights.
Why I’m the Expert
Sophie Dodd is a travel writer who reviews dozens of hotels around the world each year. During a solo trip to Kyoto, she stayed at some of the properties included on this list, and visited others to explore their design and get a sense of the city’s various neighborhoods; other properties here come highly recommended by fellow T+L writers and editors, plus trusted friends. Sophie is an expert at tracking down stylish, luxuriously-appointed hotels across a range of price points, with a focus on mixing classic and contemporary style.
Aman Kyoto
Courtesy of Aman Resorts
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Minimalist, light-flooded suites and pavilions offer an immersive connection with nature at this ultra-private forest hideaway, where indoor and outdoor onsen (hot springs), superb local cuisine, and secluded garden walks invite you to disconnect.
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The property is a 30-minute drive from the center of the city, so you’ll need to account for the extra travel time if you’re heading in for dinner or sightseeing.
Set on 80 acres of a sprawling maple forest in northern Kyoto, this luxurious, ryokan-inspired property feels like a Zen retreat. A World’s Best Awards winner in 2023 and It List hotel in 2020, it’s home to 28 rooms, suites, and pavilions, all featuring traditional design elements such as natural wood, tatami flooring, deep Hinoki soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens and Mount Hiei. Be sure to book in for the chef’s omakase experience one night, as well as one of Aman’s signature experiences — I opted for a private tour of a nearby temple, as well as a guided tea ceremony.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Takagamine
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available, although the stone paths can be tricky to navigate
- Nearby Attractions: Kinkaku-ji Temple, Genko-an Temple, Daitoku-ji Temple
- Loyalty Program: No
- Rates: From $1,760
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Luxurious, family-friendly accomodations are set around a 12th-century pond and garden at this centrally located property.
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Given the hotel’s kid-friendly programming and downtown location, it may not be ideal for those seeking a more Zen-style retreat.
Spacious suites wrap around an 800-year-old pond and dreamy cherry tree garden at the Four Seasons Kyoto, which T+L readers voted into our World’s Best Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023. The brand’s reputation for superior service, as well as 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. “You definitely forget the hustle and bustle of the city when you enter the property,” Susmita Baral, an editor at T+L, said. “From the bamboo-lined driveway to the peaceful garden, guests are transported when they enter the hotel.”
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Higashiyama
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available
- Nearby Attractions: Kyoto National Museum, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjūsangen-dō Temple
- Loyalty Program: No
- Rates: From $700
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Courtesy of Hyatt
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Hyatt’s loyalty program makes it easy to take advantage of exceptional deals on these stylish, spacious accommodations in downtown Kyoto.
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You’ll have to splurge in order to book a suite that overlooks the hotel’s garden and features private Japanese tea rooms, entered into via a traditional nijiriguchi (a small sliding door).
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 cedar soaking tubs. The downtown property, which earned a spot on our World’s Best Awards in 2021, caters to business and leisure travelers alike, with delicious Italian and Japanese dining options on-site, as well as the relaxing Riraku Spa.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Higashiyama Shichijo
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available
- Nearby Attractions: Kyoto National Museum, Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyoto Tower
- Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
- Rates: From $213
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Courtesy of Marriott
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Generously-sized rooms and suites offer views over the Kamogawa River, Higashiyama mountains, or downtown Kyoto.
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The hotel is a popular destination for weddings as well as corporate events, which is something to consider if you prefer a more boutique feel.
Perched on the blossom-lined banks of the Kamogawa River, this elegant Meiji era-inspired property and two-time 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.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Nakagyo Ward
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available
- Nearby Attractions: Gion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market
- Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Rates: From $897
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Yoshihiro Makino / Ace Hotel Kyoto
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Cultures collide and complement each other at this bold, Americana-tinged hotel, which is housed in a century-old former telephone office.
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The three excellent on-site restaurants are each helmed by renowned American chefs, so you’ll need to head into town for a taste of local cuisine.
Cultures collide and complement each other at the Ace’s bold, Americana-accented hotel in Kyoto, which quickly earned a spot on our It List after opening in 2020. Mid-century 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, Italian classics at Mr. Maurice’s Italian, and seasonally-inspired farm-to-table dishes plus natural wines from chef Katy Cole at Kosa.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Karasuma
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available
- Nearby Attractions: Teramachi Dori, Nishiki Market, Kyoto Gyoen
- Loyalty Program: The A-List
- Rates: From $170
Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Walking through the meticulously restored, 300-year-old Kajiimiya Gate makes for a very grand entrance at this historic hotel.
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While certainly welcoming for families traveling with kids, the atmosphere here is pleasantly refined, catering more to slightly older travelers.
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 famous 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. Voted an It List winner in 2021 and World’s Best Awards winner in 2023, the property is just across from Nijo Castle, one of the city’s top destinations.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Nakagyo-ku
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available
- Nearby Attractions: Nijo Castle, Ikebana Museum, Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Rates: From $821
Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Courtesy of Roku Kyoto
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Rooms overlook a verdant forest and feature private soaking tubs fed from a natural hot spring.
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This 114-room resort is tucked away in northern Kyoto, which is a drive away from the city center and many of its attractions.
At the base of the Takagamine mountains, this editor-loved resort earned a spot on our It List in 2022 thanks to standout 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,” Maya Kachroo-Levine, a senior editor at T+L, said of her spring 2023 visit. “I was absolutely blown away by the onsen-inspired swimming, encircled by chic concrete, and the stunning grounds, which include a private Japanese garden.”
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Kinugasa
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available.
- Nearby Attractions: Kyoto Botanic Garden, Chushin Art Museum, Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Loyalty Program: Hilton Honors
- Rates: From $519
Park Hyatt Kyoto
Courtesy of Hyatt
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Suites offer dramatic city views and postcard-worthy glimpses of Yasaka Pagoda from the hotel’s hilltop perch.
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While the hotel grounds are tranquil, it’s set on one of the city’s most touristy (and picturesque) streets, so prepare yourself to navigate through the crowds as you come and go.
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 rooms juxtaposing fragrant tamo wood with dark marble bathrooms.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Higashiyama
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access and facilities are available.
- Nearby Attractions: Ishibe Alley, Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji Temple
- Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
- Rates: From $1,049
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Courtesy of Hoshinoya Kyoto
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Accessible only by boat, this century-old property offers a uniquely local and lavish home base beside Kyoto’s magnificent bamboo forest.
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This property isn’t accessible to those with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs, given the necessary transit via boat and the steep pathways cutting through the hillside.
No matter the season, it’s a transcendental experience to arrive at Hoshinoya Kyoto by a traditional boat, which glides down the emerald green Oi River and past the cherry blossoms or fall foliage. Designed in timeless ryokan style, the 25 sprawling pavilions at this lantern-lit inn feature classic Japanese design touches, from shoji screens to tatami mats and deep soaking tubs. The atmosphere is that of a grown-up getaway (kids under 13 are not allowed), with easy access to nearby walking trails as well as the neighboring bamboo forest.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Arashiyama
- Accessibility: No
- Nearby Attractions: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Ōkōchi Sansō Villa, Jōjakkō-ji Temple
- Loyalty Programs: No
- Rates: From $300
Know Before You Go
Rates soar during the high season
The peak season in Kyoto is late March through early April, when the cherry blossoms are at their peak, as well as from late October through mid-December, when the fall foliage sets the scenery ablaze. During these months, room rates rise dramatically — if you’re traveling on a budget, it’s worth considering a visit just outside of these seasons in order to take advantage of more favorable rates and fewer crowds.
Book kaiseki reservations in advance
Particularly during high season, intimate kaiseki restaurants (refined, multi-course Japanese tasting menus) tend to book up quickly. Be sure to make a reservation as far in advance as possible for dinner — your hotel concierge will typically also be able to assist with this, and sometimes will be able to pull strings thanks to their own established connections.
Respect local etiquette
From keeping your voice down as you navigate temple grounds, to keeping your phone in your pocket as you walk through stone gardens, there are some cultural sensitivities that are good to keep in mind. The two most crucial that you’ll likely run into? It’s forbidden to take photos at certain shrines, and eating while walking is frowned upon. You’ll also need to remove your shoes before entering any temples or shrines.
How We Chose These Hotels
Travel writer Sophie Dodd stays in over 50 hotels per year, reviewing dozens for T+L; she took a two-week solo trip to Japan, staying at some of the hotels on this list during her travels, in addition to extensively researching the properties in order to narrow down the best ones.
For this piece, she considered elements like a property’s location, design, history, and reputation for service. She also looked for hotels with luxurious amenities, such as onsen, omakase experiences, on-site gardens, and more. She has personally stayed at some of the properties on this list, while others have been reviewed and recommended by T+L editors or landed on our coveted World’s Best Awards list and It List, in which Travel + Leisure readers vote on their favorite hotels and T+L editors select the best new hotels in the world. And finally, as with all our hotel stories, editors ensure all recommendations we make align with our core T+L Hotel Values.
