The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Kyoto, Japan

A mere three blocks from the Museum of Kyoto and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden – the vast, landscaped green space home to the Kyoto Imperial Palace – and walkable to the Heian Shrine and Nijō Castle, Tomoya Residence is perfectly positioned for cultural vultures. The handful of rooms adheres to the luxurious minimalism concept; some feature kitchenettes, while others look out onto the garden. Perfect for extended stays.

Right next to the Kyoto Station, this thoroughly contemporary Kyoto hotel is an easy walk from numerous restaurants and bars in central Kyoto and an easy ride from the historic districts and sights in the city. You won’t be disappointed with the three onsite dining establishments with a private tea room; other guest perks include the gym and spa. The stylish rooms combine Japanese motifs such as ikebana-style decorations and blond-wood finishes with all the mod cons you’d expect from a luxury hotel.

A block away from Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine in the historic Higashiyama neighbourhood, and sheathed in blond wood and neutral creams, Sowaka is a sensitively restored machiya (townhouse), comprising 23 rooms of different shapes and sizes, spread over two buildings, some featuring traditional paper screen walls and open-air baths. La Bombance Gion, the sister restaurant of the Michelin-star La Bombance in Tokyo, conjures up modern incarnations of the multi-course kaiseki cuisine.

Sitting in a tiny lane, surrounded by Shinto shrines in a historic district in Kyoto, and nearly a century old, Gion Kyuraku was once a tea master’s residence. A piece of Kyoto history, the hotel has been sensitively restored to its original splendour and repurposed to become a private rental/bed and breakfast-style hybrid housing for up to six guests. Carefully decorated and with a tsuboniwa (a spectacular onsite garden), it places you perfectly for on-foot exploration of some of the oldest streets in the city and shops run by many generations of the same family.

Don’t let the humble facade of The Celestine fool you. Located down a side street in the Gion district, this Kyoto hotel comprises a clutch of luxurious, traditionally-inspired, contemporary rooms and the acclaimed Yasaka Endo restaurant which features seasonal multi-course menus. True to Kyoto style, there’s also a large public bath onsite and a bamboo garden designed by landscape icon Toshiya Ogino. You’re walkable from the handsome pedestrian thoroughfares of Nineizaka and Sanneizaka, lined with traditional wooden architecture, teahouses and shops.

Sitting on the western outskirts of Kyoto, where the city meets the mountains, Arashiyama Benkei is a hot spring hotel offering upscale relaxation at the onsite onsen. Bathing in naturally mineral-rich waters is the main draw here. At the same time, the interior design pays tribute to the ryokan legacy of Kyoto with traditional Japanese-style rooms which combine Western comforts with Japanese design. Good public transport connections mean easy access to Nijō Castle, Heian Shrine and the centuries-old alleyways of Higashiyama.

If you’re looking to check into your room the minute you step off the shinkansen (bullet train), Kyoto hotels don’t come more convenient than Hotel Granvia, located on top of the main train station in the city. The striking architectural style of the building spreads to the elegant rooms inside, some of which – ranging from singles to suites – offer direct views of Kyoto Tower, while others allow the trainspotter in you to watch the trains come and go. The hotel offers halal food in two of the eight restaurants, Le Temps and Ukihashi.

This Kyoto hotel, located across the river from the ancient heart of the city and an easy walk from the Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji Street (historic geisha and shopping district), is a great choice for any traveller, but it’s especially well-suited to accommodating self-caterers. Though luxurious, it’s reasonably priced and includes extras such as kitchenettes, refrigerators and onsite laundry. In the rooms, you’re greeted with traditional Japanese screen prints; opt for an east-facing room for river views.

Near Kyoto Station and with incredible views of Kyoto Tower, Hotel Kanra gives you easy access to all the best parts of the city. The decor perfectly encapsulates the Japanese aesthetic: minimalist design, both sleek and welcoming; the rooms are all clean lines and soothing neutral shades. There’s also a shop where you can purchase Japanese pottery and witness repairs carried out using ancient techniques.

Welcoming you with a bamboo grove seemingly straight out of a painting, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto incorporates traditional Japanese culture into every aspect of your stay. A maiko (apprentice geisha) performs a traditional dance for guests every evening, while rooms feature Japanese wooden bathtubs, kimono tapestry walls, paper lanterns and sliding screen doors. The location of the hotel on the edge of Higashiyama means you are within easy walking distance of the main sights. A spa, tablets for ordering room service and six excellent restaurants round out the hotel offerings.

Surian, located in Arashiyama, combines the tranquillity of a natural Japanese setting with the modern conveniences for which Marriott hotels are known. The Meiji Era-inspired building houses a gourmet restaurant and an onsen (a traditional Japanese bath), and wide windows open onto traditional Japanese gardens and the picturesque Hozu River. Free train station pick-up, a full-service spa and concierge services are also included.

The Ritz-Carlton sits on the banks of the Kamo River, and the views from its rooms are second to none. The rooms and suites boast numerous Japanese design touches, and massive windows flood them with plenty of natural light; book an east-facing room for Higashiyama Mountain vistas, or else opt to overlook the Zen gardens. Curated activity programmes offer hiking, meditation and culinary experiences. A spa, indoor pool, and four superb restaurants seal the deal.

In the heart of the historical district of Higashiyama and just steps away from the Kyoto National Museum, this intimate hideaway transports you to a bygone time. The 800-year-old garden, which the complex is built around, was mentioned in a poem called The Tale of the Heike dating back to the 12th century, while the elegant rooms are a blend of dark-wood floors, marble bathrooms and mod cons such as coffee makers. Experience tea ceremonies, Michelin-star sushi, and ancient healing spa treatments without leaving the grounds.