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.

Although the hotel isn't large, the room feels incredibly spacious and even has a private onsen. Soaking in the hot spring while enjoying the night view is incredibly relaxing. The rooftop bar offers a unique experience where you can enjoy drinks and conversation while soaking your feet – perfect for unwinding. The room's minibar was stocked with so many drinks, more than we could ever finish! The staff were exceptionally attentive and thoughtful.

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.

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.

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.

The room was a bit small and the soundproofing was terrible; you could hear motorcycles and ambulances all night from the street. The hygiene was good, and the cleaning staff were very thorough. However, the service was quite poor. We had a child, but there were no kids' toothbrushes or slippers, and we had to ask for them. At breakfast on the ground floor, the staff on our last day offered an omelet menu and disposable bibs for children, which we had no idea were available on the first two days. On the other hand, the lounge staff were all excellent and even enthusiastically helped us find out where to buy Hokas.

This is my second stay, and I love it as much as the first time. Although it was just renovated this year and there's a slight odor, opening the window at night to sleep takes care of it. The hot springs are open 24 hours, so it's less crowded early in the morning or late at night. The only issue is the number of foreigners; after they've used the hot springs, I feel a bit… off.

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.

Wonderful, Convenient Stay at Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto Rating: 5/5 | Travelled as a leisure tourist I recently spent a few nights at Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto and could not recommend this hotel more highly - our entire trip was elevated by incredible service, an unbeatable quiet location, and seamless convenience for sightseeing around Kyoto. First and foremost, I want to single out a staff member Suga for her outstanding hospitality that turned our nice stay into an unforgettable one. Suga greeted us every day with a warm, genuine sweet smile and was very attentive to the requests we had which included local recommendations, transit guidance, and help sorting out travel logistics, Suga was super helpful, resourceful, and all with a great positive vibe. She made us feel genuinely welcome and cared for throughout our visit. The hotel’s location struck the perfect balance between peace and accessibility. Tucked in a calm residential neighbourhood, we slept soundly every night. Even better, the surrounding streets are lined with an amazing selection of local eateries: traditional kaiseki, ramen, izakayas and pizza, so we didn't have to travel far for delicious meals. Major subway and train stations are only a 5–10 minute walk away. Hands, Daimaru are about 15 minutes leisurely walk away. Nishiki Market and Gion are also a nice 30 to 45 mins walk. There is a 7-Eleven just a 2-minute stroll from the hotel entrance where we bought a lot of yummy yogurts and cup noodles. The room is big in Japan's standards, bed & pillows are nice and clean. Their bathroom is immense! My daughter and I showered together and there's plenty room left! Their breakfast selection is not a lot but it's good quality - offers Western and local Japanese selections. If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto and want a clean, conveniently located hotel with heartwarming, top-tier service, book Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto without a second thought. A huge thank you again to Suga for such thoughtful, cheerful assistance - we will absolutely return on our next visit to Kyoto!

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