Best Luxury Accommodation in Kyoto

With as much history, culture and ancient traditions as Kyoto, it is little wonder there is always more to discover! If you are planning a visit to Kyoto and looking for the best luxury hotels, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 4 of Kyoto’s best luxury accommodations to help you get started and make your stay unforgettable.

 

For more accommodation guides on travelling in Japan, read more on our guides to The Best Luxury Accomodations in Japan and The Best Luxury Accommodations in Tokyo. 

 

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Photo credit: Aman Kyoto

Photo credit: Sowaka

 

Hoshinoya Kyoto

A river of profound tranquility, this riverside oasis is a luxurious experience on a traditional Japanese retreat. Located among remote forests and accessed only by a private Hoshinoya river boat, this makes an ideal sanctuary to recharge following a day of temple adventure. It boasts of only 25 secluded rooms where each is individually designed with views overlooking the river and surrounding forest with regular visits from local wildlife including monkeys and deers.

 

 

Kanamean Nishitomiya

The only Relais & Châteaux property in enchanting Kyoto, Kanamean Nishitomiya offers an authentic and immersive Japanese experience. An exquisite family-run ryokan inn with a contemporary flair features an intimate 7 guestrooms complete with tatami mat flooring, aromatic cypress wood bathtubs and a recently labelled Michelin-starred restaurant. Centrally located on Tominokoji Street, means you are a short stroll from downtown Kyoto and other nearby attractions including Nishiki Market and Teramachi Street shopping arcade. You cannot go without dining at its Michelin-starred restaurant set against a jazz background in a private room where dinner is as visually memorable as it is delicious. Kaiseki banquet-style feast of around nine ever-changing seasonal courses are presented on exquisite ceramics and lacquerware dishes, decorated with local flowers and leaves. While the property’s basement is home to an impressive wine and sake cellar.

 

 

Aman Kyoto

Set in a 32 acre hectare forest in a secret garden, Aman Kyoto, is as tranquil as it gets. It is an ideal base to explore the iconic landmarks of the city with Kinkaku-ji Temple being a stone’s throw away as well as 16 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Feel secluded as you unwind in contemporary Japanese ryokan inn of just 26 rooms, suites and pavilions. A wellness retreat, the Aman Spa defines nature in every way with mineral-rich waters feed traditional onsen together with a selection of treatments that delve into Japan’s natural apothecary.

 

 

Sowaka

Part of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of The World’, this restored 21st century ryokan inn is perfect to explore temples, spot geishas in the streets and savour authentic Japanese delights at its Michelin starred La Bombance Gion restaurant. A stay here means the ancient capital is on your doorstep. The setting is classic Kyoto in the famed geisha district Gion, complete with narrow stone streets, low-rise wooden facades and several nearby temples, shrines and sites. Kodaiji Temple is a 6 minutes' walk for tea ceremony and meditation sessions, Yasaka Jinja shrine is just three minutes on foot and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kiyomizudera Temple is a 15-minute stroll for a memorable sight of the sun rising over the city’s rooftops. Keep a lookout for the elusive maiko (geisha in training) as you wander the beautiful streets of Kobu or Shirakawi-dori.

 

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