5-Star Hotels in Kyoto

A Truly Exceptional Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto Our family had a wonderful experience at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, and we left with nothing but gratitude and happy memories. From the moment we arrived, the service was flawless and heartfelt — the kind of genuine hospitality that makes a trip feel truly special. A huge thank you to Cecilia and Vinnie from the Guest Experience team, who went above and beyond to make our stay seamless and comfortable. Their warmth, attentiveness, and thoughtful gestures made us feel incredibly welcomed. A very special shout-out to Cecilia, who noticed my daughter’s love for Winnie the Pooh after our visit to Disneyland Resort. She prepared a beautiful card, a sweet message, and even a handmade Pooh origami and placed it in our room. It absolutely made our daughter’s day — such a thoughtful touch we will never forget. We also want to commend Yuki from the restaurant team for his warm and wonderful breakfast service each morning. His kindness and attention to detail set the perfect tone to start our day. The Ritz Kids adventure passport was a delightful surprise — engaging not only for our daughter but also enjoyable for us as parents. And of course, we loved the festive Christmas atmosphere, especially the beautiful Christmas tree and the amazing gingerbread house with the incredible aroma that filled the lobby. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto truly exceeded our expectations in every way. We felt cared for, welcomed, and genuinely appreciated. We can’t wait to return again. Highly recommended for families and anyone seeking an unforgettable Kyoto stay.

Very convenient, spacious, and modern Airbnb stay. The unit is well-equipped with almost everything you need, including a washing machine, drying rack, cooking utensils, grill stove, coffee machine, and other useful amenities. The space is surprisingly large and very comfortable, especially for families or groups. The location is also great, with a grocery store, restaurants, and other conveniences nearby, making daily needs easily accessible. One thing to note is that there is a cemetery directly behind the property. For guests who are sensitive to this, it may be something to consider before booking. However, if this does not bother you, the stay is otherwise excellent. The only issue we encountered was during check-in. The elderly front desk staff could not communicate in English and was initially unwilling to assist us. Even though our booking was fully paid and confirmed, we had to repeatedly explain the situation before he finally provided the check-in code. It appeared that the information was already available in the system, so the process was more frustrating than necessary. Other than the check-in experience, everything else was great. Overall, a comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped stay that offers excellent value for money.

This hotel boasts a prime location right in the heart of Kyoto's JR transportation hub. It's incredibly easy to find – just turn right out of Kyoto Station, walk about 100 meters, and take the elevator up to the second floor. You can also access the hotel directly from inside the station. The surrounding area is bustling with plenty of shopping and dining options, and both subway and bus stations are very close by, making getting around a breeze. The hotel itself is well-equipped with all the necessary facilities, and the rooms are spacious, some even offering scenic views. Highly recommended!

My main goal for this Kyoto trip was to revisit Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari-taisha, and explore Kibune. So I chose to stay near Kawaramachi, and ended up picking this Hilton. The hotel is right by Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai Line. I'd recommend using the Kawaramachi Plaza exit, as it's the only one with an escalator; if you use Exit 1, you'll have to carry your luggage yourself. Technically, you can't see Honno-ji Temple's graveyard from the hotel, but it is close to the road and can be a bit noisy at night. In the mornings, there are fewer motorcycles, and Sundays are quiet – I even slept through breakfast one day! You can walk to Keihan Sanjo Station, enjoying the Kamo River along the way. If you prefer, it's also just one subway stop. It's not far to walk to Kawaramachi Shijo either, and there are plenty of dining options nearby. This time, I surprisingly opted for a breakfast and dinner package. The variety was better than at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier, but they don't change their menus, so eating the same thing for three consecutive days can get a bit monotonous. As for a drawback, I'd suggest the hotel checks the elevator buttons – the static electricity is quite bad; I got shocked almost every time.

The hotel's location is excellent, making it very convenient to get around. The service was warm and attentive, and the food was also good. The breakfast offered both Japanese and Western options, and the Japanese breakfast was truly fantastic. I'll definitely choose to stay here again on my next trip to Kyoto.

Online hotel bookings can often feel like a blind box draw, but Dusit Thani was definitely the right pick. Every staff member I encountered had an excellent attitude, the room was spotless, and even though the turndown service only provided a bottle of water, it was a pleasant and thoughtful touch. Thai brands truly excel in their service consciousness and aesthetic sense. The room itself was incredibly comfortable, and with no other guests in the public lobby areas, I thoroughly enjoyed the bliss of reading a book alone.

My wife and I booked the Classic Room for 3 nights in April 2025. We thought this was one of the best hotels we stayed at during our trip. From the moment you enter the hotel, you are welcomed by the hotel staff. You leave your bags with them and you walk up to a separate reception area where you are seated and offered tea and macarons. Check in is conducted while you sip your tea. After you get your keys, you go up to your room and your luggage bags are already there. We were very impressed by the reception. The room itself is fairly sizeable and offers a cabinet of Fauchon snacks. We had a good view of the alley behind the hotel that was lined with Sakura trees. We could also see the mountains in the distance. The location of the hotel is also great. It is located about a 5-10 minutes walk from downtown Kyoto and about a 5 minutes walk to Kiyomizu-gojo station. We also had breakfast which included a free flow selection of bread and pastries like French croissant, baguette and brioche. You also get a fruit plate, salad, and omelette. If you stay for more than 1 night, you also get a premium breakfast menu for your 2nd night onwards. We will definitely return to this hotel the next time we are in Kyoto.

When we chose this hotel, we saw pictures and videos that made us think it was a resort estate, but it's not. There's very little to see inside the hotel; I could walk through the entire property in 5 minutes. Secondly, the hotel advertises natural hot springs, but the public ones reek of disinfectant as soon as you walk in, which is very unpleasant. The room itself was okay and had character, and the bathtub was very large with a pleasant woody scent when bathing. Finally, the breakfast – honestly, the taste was just mediocre. I wouldn't choose this hotel again at the same price point.

Love the location and the peace in Arashiyama. Nice place to relax after a very busy week visiting places in Osaka and Kyoto. Love the private bath in the room we booked❤️ plus the private onsen bath especially if you have tattoo. Who doesn’t love a free ice cream/cold green tea after onsen😄 and don’t miss the free ramen from 22:30-23:30 😊 lastly, the staff are really nice, helpful, and the Japanese breakfast was very tasty! Beautiful experience and now we are well rested to visit other places in Japan!

The hotel had an authentique Japanese feel to it , very spacious rooms , kind staff , and perfect location ! If you are coming from Tokyo to get another feel of Japan then this must be the perfect location ! Being used to major hotels in Tokyo , this came as a contrast , it felt like a traditional home but with all the luxuries you need. I highly recommend