Hotels With spa in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

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.

I stayed for 4 nights from January 4 to January 8, 2026. From the hotel, you can walk to Nijo Castle in about 10 minutes. There are many small convenience stores nearby (7-Eleven and the like), as well as two large supermarkets — Life is open until midnight, which is a huge plus. You can buy nice gifts for friends and family late in the evening without wasting daytime hours. The transportation access is great too: within a few minutes' walk there's a subway station and a JR line (convenient for coming from the railway station), and right next to the hotel there's a bus stop. This is important because Kyoto's sights are scattered all over the city, and you often need to use public transport or taxis. Speaking of taxis. Twice I asked the reception to call me a taxi, and both times the staff helped me — a huge thank you to them! It was especially important on the first day: thanks to a taxi, I made it to Kiyomizu-dera Temple in time and explored it without rushing. Check-in was very quick, and the staff explained where everything was. The room was quite spacious — or maybe it just felt that way. I comfortably unpacked my suitcase and took out everything I needed without feeling cramped. The room had all the essentials, and there were kettles near the elevator that you could take to your room if needed. I did, and had some tea before bed (on the first floor, you can grab a free tea bag if you don't have your own). The air conditioner worked for both cooling and heating — which was very useful on some evenings. Honestly, I only used the hotel to sleep, and it was perfectly fine. Every morning, breakfast is served on the first floor. To be honest, I expected something simple since the room rate was quite affordable. That's why the breakfast was such a pleasant surprise! My eyes wandered every morning at the variety of delicious food! A huge selection. Every day I had rice with various toppings, amazing salmon, cod, and various vegetables (the okra here was especially good). There's a small smoking room on the first floor with good ventilation. My overall impression of the hotel is extremely positive. I will definitely stay here again on my next visit to Kyoto.

The hotel's location is fantastic! The design is also very modern and forward-thinking. The front desk and concierge staff were all incredibly enthusiastic and always attentive to whether we needed any assistance. It was a very satisfying stay. We stayed in Japan for 7 nights and switched between 3 hotels, and this was by far the most satisfying five-star hotel experience!

Everything was good except the service in hotel restaurants, which was exceptionally bad: 1) breakfast: waited for food for 40 mins, reminded the server 2 times - still nothing; 2) bar: a too long wait for a cocktail. the server said that as apology said cocktail won’t be in included in the bill… but it was there; 3) afternoon tea: told the staff that I dislike dairy products, but have no allergy. So, for example I can eat most sweets, but not the ones with a strong taste of mascarpone cream. In the end they gave me just a plate of fruit and when I remninded them of the above they… did nothing ) I stayed at this hotel and had afternoon tea there last year too - everything was fine then. All of the above are 3 different restaurants inside the hotel, so I wouldn’t recommend going to any restaurant there. In all other aspects except services related to food the hotel is good.

This is a large hotel that's very popular with locals. They offer buffet-style meals for both breakfast and dinner. The hot spring bath isn't very big, and the facilities feel a bit dated. Both sides of the hotel offer sea-view rooms. Check-in took a while, but they gave us a lot of snacks and free-flowing beer.

This hotel exceeded my expectations! The room was larger than average and exceptionally clean, with a separate shower and bathtub. The Refa showerhead and hairdryer were a nice touch and worked great. The room had modern amenities, and the trash bins were emptied promptly. The hotel's location is super convenient. There are many designer shops and delicious restaurants nearby, and it's just a short walk to Nishiki Market. Karasuma Oike Station is also right next door, offering direct access to Shijo and Kyoto Station. I was really satisfied with my stay; it offers excellent value for money! I highly recommend the wagyu BBQ restaurant next to the hotel (Wagyu Yakiniku Horumon Sankichi). The owner and staff were very friendly, the wagyu quality was superb, and the set menus were great value, plus you can enjoy all-you-can-drink!

Anyone visiting Kyoto should be familiar with this hotel because it's located right in the heart of the shopping district, which is incredibly convenient. The location is excellent; you step right out to Takashimaya, and there's even a direct connection from the hotel's third floor! The hotel also boasts a cafe, a supermarket, and a gym... perfect for young travelers! The rooms are spacious, the bedding is comfortable, and the bathroom is also very roomy.

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.

The front desk staff speaks fluent English, and there were quite a few Western guests during my stay. For the cherry blossom season, the value for money was pretty good. The room was relatively spacious compared to other Japanese hotels. Rooms facing the street can be a bit noisy late at night. Breakfast leans towards a Western style. It's very close to the subway, just a short walk to the Kamo River, and a five-minute walk to the lively areas of Sanjo and Shijo. Overall, it's a decent place.

Our recent stay at Ujo Soan was, without exaggeration, the finest hospitality experience I have encountered in my 20 years of traveling across Japan. From the moment we arrived, the level of service was nothing short of superb. There are three highlights that made our stay truly unforgettable: 1. Exceptional Culinary Surprise: We were deeply touched by the hotel's generosity in providing a complimentary upgrade to the prestigious ”Tsuiyama Blue Label Crab” set. The quality of the crab and the meticulous preparation were world-class—a true gastronomic journey. 2. Breathtaking Sunset Views: Spending time at the Lounge ”AO” on the 8th floor of Bettei Fuka was a spiritual experience. Watching the sunset over the Kyotango coastline with a drink in hand is a memory we will cherish forever. 3. Outstanding Service (Sakura-san): A special mention must go to Sakura-san. Her professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail were exemplary. She anticipated our every need and represents the very best of Japanese Omotenashi. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Yasuhiko Okita and the General Manager, Mr. Nakanishi, for maintaining such an incredible standard of excellence. If you are looking for a sanctuary that combines luxury, nature, and heartfelt service, Ujo Soan is the only choice. We cannot wait to return.