The richly diverse city of Kyoto is a top destination where culture is drenched in every corner. It’s where you time travel back to old Japan. The ancient temples, trails of shrine gates, and still tea rooms are some of the city’s tranquil trinkets. Yet, more awaits your exploration.
Choosing a hotel is a significant part of your time travel. Hotels in Kyoto are favourably boasting on the classic end of the spectrum with the art of omotenashi hospitality. Think sliding, screens, zen-like gardens, and gracefully attentive staff in their elegant kimonos. Nonetheless, a touch of modernity is entailed in the city’s accommodation. The best of both eras go hand-in-hand beautifully as you become delusional about which century you’re currently in - in a good way, of course.
We’ve got you covered with a Japan Guide, featuring your much-needed answers on “where to stay in Kyoto” below.
Aman Kyoto
As fresh and invigorating as the first cherry blossom, Aman Kyoto’s timeless allure is rooted in its idyllic setting: 80 acres of peaceful woodland, abundant with maples, crisscrossed by stone pathways and lively streams. It's almost as if it has quietly existed for centuries. With only 28 rooms, Aman Kyoto's six pavilions feature latticed walls and pitched roofs that pay homage to the classic machiya houses, while each bathroom boasts its own wooden ofuro tub. Aman Kyoto stands as a bridge between the old and new Amans, capturing everything that has made the brand so influential.
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Opening a design-forward property in a city so steeped in tradition is a bold move, and even bolder when it’s built on the very grounds once home to the illustrious Mitsui family from the 1600s to the 1940s. The past is thoughtfully woven throughout. For instance, the 300-year-old wooden gate that once marked the original estate stands as a silent reminder. Other subtle nods to history appear in design elements like a long corridor with light wood arches that echo the maze of torii gates at Kyoto's iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, and a ceiling installation inspired by kimono fabric.
Maana Homes
Maana Homes is a hidden gem tucked down a quiet lane near the 16th-century Toyokuni Shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, delivering a peaceful retreat far from the bustle. The property is a collection of renovated century-old machiya townhouses, blending ancient Kyoto charm with modern design. The three unique suites, each accommodating up to four guests, feature soft sand-toned walls, Shigaraki clay bathtubs, and carefully curated Kyoto antiques alongside sleek French and Danish design elements.
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Hoshinoya Kyoto is a captivating fusion of ryokan charm and hotel elegance where you’ll forget the century you’re in. Nestled along the serene banks of the Hozugawa River in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, this hideaway is accessible only by a tranquil boat ride in a hinoki (Japanese cedar) vessel. Its 25 stylish rooms exude the soothing scent of cedar, complete with heated wooden floors, hand-blocked wallpaper, shoji-inspired sliding doors, and expansive windows perfect for gazing at the wildlife prancing through the surrounding forest. Like a traditional ryokan, some restrictions apply (the boat back runs only from 8 AM-9 PM ), but this is all part of the allure.
The Hyatt Regency Kyoto
The sleek oasis nestled within a bamboo grove in the charming Higashiyama Shichijo district presents an escape into Kyoto’s natural beauty and timeless elegance. The rooms, with their soft paper lamps and antique kimono fabric, invite you to unwind in style, while deep soaking tubs promise relaxation. Some suites even feature oversized desks, living rooms, and private balconies. The on-site spa is the perfect place to unwind, offering saunas, steam rooms, a whirlpool bath, and a signature Fermented Hinoki Powder Bath that harnesses the essence of Yoshino's famous hinoki trees.
The Shinmonzen
The Shinmonzen offers a refined, modern take on the traditional ryokan experience, located in Kyoto’s historic Gion district. Its blend of contemporary design and traditional Kyoto craftsmanship creates a serene atmosphere, with natural light flooding each suite. The minimalist wood interiors, hinoki cypress bathtubs, and Provençal-inspired touches create a sophisticated, calming environment.
The Thousand Kyoto
THE THOUSAND KYOTO epitomises Kyoto’s warm hospitality with a luxurious stay in the Shimogyo Ward, near Kyoto Station. Perfectly positioned near top attractions such as Maruyama Park, Kyoto Tower, and countless temples, this sleek hotel offers spacious, minimalist rooms designed for peace and tranquillity. The serene garden provides a quiet escape, while the hotel's two exceptional restaurants serve fresh, local ingredients. After indulging in a meal, unwind with a therapeutic spa treatment or enjoy a modern take on the ancient Kyoto-born tea ceremony at the Tea & Bar.