Where to Stay in Kyoto Right Now
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Though it’s just a two-hour train ride away, Kyoto feels downright serene when compared to Tokyo. Don’t get us wrong, the city is a cultural mecca that’s packed with traditional teahouses, centuries-old religious sites and artisans preserving time-honored rituals for the next generation. Between the Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines alone, you could easily fill an entire trip. And that wouldn’t even leave time for the many museums, Kabuki performances and souvenir kimono shops. But the ancient capital retains a certain stillness—even in its most touristy districts.
Kyoto’s tranquil atmosphere extends to its accommodations as well. The best hotels here blend past and present into a relaxing refuge that honors tradition without sacrificing contemporary comforts. Check out our eight favorites below.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Nakagyo Ward
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Ace Hotel is a cool home base in the heart of Kyoto. The soaring lobby displays textile works, tubular copper light fixtures and custom ceramic pots by well-known Japanese artist Kazunori Hamana. There’s even a dedicated gallery off to the side. In the rooms, you can expect the brand’s signature retro Americana flair, along with Japanese hallmarks such as soaking tubs, tatami-lined bedside tables and prints by Japanese folk artist Samiro Yunoki. The restaurants and bars inject a major dose of international flavor. Expect wood-fired pizza from Philadelphia, tacos from Los Angeles and the first Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Japan.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Nakagyo Ward
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Set along the Kamogawa River, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, walks the line between traditional and contemporary, but it’s never out of step with luxury. The Japanese garden, with its three-story waterfall, provides a welcome respite. From there, the peaceful vibe continues inside the minimal rooms, featuring light wood and floor-to-ceiling windows. Tatami suites with futons and walk-out terraces are available for travelers who are keen to try a more authentic sleeping setup. Take advantage of cultural workshops, from furoshiki (Japanese cloth wrapping) to origami; enjoy afternoon tea in The Lobby Lounge; and hit the spa for a signature Ryokucha Serenity Ritual, a rhythmical massage that incorporates green tea.
SOWAKA
Gion District
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For something traditional with an unwavering sense of place, check in to SOWAKA. The restored ryokan is a hushed hideaway for ritual and reflection, where Zen design takes shape across a leaf-shrouded courtyard and charming tatami rooms. Once guests slip into a robe and slippers, the call of the outside world—even Kyoto’s dizzying array of attractions—gets much quieter. Take it as a sign to lean in to relaxation: Wander the long corridors, savor dinner at the excellent restaurant or sip local sake at the bar. Then, play something soothing on the handmade cedarwood speakers and draw yourself a camellia oil–infused spring bath.
Six Senses Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward
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A wellness-focused resort in the Higashiyama Ward, Six Senses Kyoto draws inspiration from the Heian period (the golden age of art and culture in Kyoto) but is decidedly modern in its execution. The Earth Lab hosts workshops on making incense and painting sensu (folding fans), while the spa sanctuary features a hot bath, 24-karat-gold facials, a biohacking lounge (think: compression therapy and LED masks), an Alchemy Bar to mix up DIY scrubs and the only Watsu pool in the city. There’s also a signature restaurant inspired by the micro-seasons, an omakase counter and an intimate bar for Japanese whiskey–centric cocktails.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward
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Centered around an 800-year-old garden with lush native plants and a pond filled with koi fish, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is a nature-steeped escape in Higashiyama that channels the spirit of kutsurogi, or relaxation. The two-floor spa offers Tatcha facials, therapeutic bamboo massages and a 66-foot indoor pool, while rooms encourage unwinding with soaking tubs, cushy beds and floor-to-ceiling windows for admiring the leafy surroundings. The lounge, Fuju, is the perfect spot to sip matcha or sake and stare at the spring sakura blossoms (the changing leaves in the fall aren’t a bad view either). Guests can also participate in hands-on kintsugi (golden joinery) workshops or learn the traditional craft of origami.
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward
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Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto balances deep-rooted customs with new age amenities. At the brand’s first outpost in Japan, rejuvenation is more than just a buzzword—it’s thoughtfully integrated into every aspect of the property, starting with the welcome amenities of green tea and yokan confections. Rooms are outfitted with traditional Japanese elements such as cypress wood soaking tubs and tatami mat floors, and there’s also a superb spa, onsen baths fed by natural hot springs, a crowd-free bamboo grove and a Noh stage for nogaku shows and musical performances.
Park Hyatt Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward
Park Hyatt Kyoto, a 70-room retreat in the heart of Higashiyama, is a swanky place to experience Japanese culture. Both the public and private spaces radiate a soothing, refined ambience, with tamo wood, Japanese art and views of the meticulous Japanese gardens. And guests don’t have to leave the hotel to experience local traditions. You can, for example, order an award-winning kaiseki lunch inside an Edo-era teahouse or have dinner with a geiko dance performance. Of course, if you do want to venture off the property, the concierge is more than happy to arrange zazen meditation sessions and exclusive tours of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
Nakagyo Ward
Located steps from Nijo Castle, this Marriott property is an ideal launchpad for sightseeing. But you might feel compelled to scrap your plans entirely once you step through the property’s centuries-old Kajiimiya Gate and into the garden-facing lobby, where a deep sense of calm sets in. Fortunately, there are plenty of cultural activities available here, including traditional tea ceremonies, breathwork in the Shiki-no-ma room and browsing the books on Japanese heritage in the library. Another halcyon highlight is the private onsen bathing experience, complete with a traditional Japanese breakfast.
Booking With Chase Travel
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Lead photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.
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