Kyoto's luxury hotels are rarely a single tall tower; most are a few low floors tucked among temples, gardens and forested hills. The Higashiyama area sits beside Kiyomizu-dera and Sanjusangendo, with old gardens and new hotels side by side; around the Kamo River and Nijo Castle is the city center, where machiya townhouses and old streets are right outside the door; north, in the foothills of Takagamine behind Kinkaku-ji and around Takaragaike, you reach forest and hot springs; and to the west lie Arashiyama and the Hozu River. The thirteen hotels in this article were picked one by one from the Kyoto hotels on sale in our perks program, running from a little over US$100 to over US$3,200 a night, so you can match one to your needs and budget.
In the Michelin Keys selection announced in September 2026, ten of the thirteen hotels in this article made the list: Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto has three Keys, the only three-Key hotel in Kyoto; Aman and Capella, which made the list for the first time this year, have two Keys; Banyan Tree, ROKU, The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Suiran and Garrya Nijo Castle each have one.
Here are all the deals currently running (click a hotel name to check prices directly):
| Hotel | Offer | Book by | Eligible stay dates |
| ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts | Stay 3 nights, pay for 2 | By March 31, 2030 | Stays through March 31, 2030 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto | Stay 3 nights, pay for 2, with breakfast for two and a hotel credit | By December 31, 2027 | Stays through December 31, 2027 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto | Up to 20% off when booking early, with breakfast for two and a hotel credit | By December 31, 2027 | Stays through December 31, 2027 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto | 15% off for family travel, with breakfast for two and a hotel credit | By December 31, 2027 | Stays through December 31, 2027 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO | 10% off for 2 consecutive nights, up to 25% off for 3 or more nights | By December 31, 2027 | Stays through December 31, 2027 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO | 25% off suites for 2 consecutive nights, excluding the presidential suite | By March 12, 2027 | Stays from January 4 to March 12, 2027 |
| The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike | Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 | By March 28, 2027 | Stays through March 31, 2027, except December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027 |
| The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike | Club-level rooms and suites: stay 3 nights, pay for 2 | By March 29, 2027 | Stays through March 31, 2027, except December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027 |
| The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike | 20% off suites | By March 31, 2027 | Stays through March 31, 2027, except December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027 |
| Dusit Thani Kyoto | Stay 3 nights, pay for 2 | By October 31, 2026 | Stays from December 1, 2026 to March 15, 2027, except December 23, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
First, a word on how we checked prices: all prices below are advisor-channel rates for a 3-night stay for 2 adults checking in on February 1, 2027, including taxes, worked out as the 3-night total divided by 3 for an average nightly rate, in US dollars. This channel rate is what we can get when booking for guests as an accredited travel advisor; it comes with a set of perks that can't be booked through public channels, such as breakfast, hotel-specific perks and upgrades subject to availability. The specific perks are described in each hotel's section, and before booking we verify them with each hotel one by one before putting them on the guest's confirmation.
The hotels are ordered by average nightly rate from low to high, so you have a sense of the range as you read down.
Our full list of perks hotels (over 3,000 of them) is here: Global luxury hotel perks list. Click through and it automatically filters to Kyoto hotels, and we can check prices for any of them the way this article does.
The highlights first, if you're in a hurry:
- Best value – The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike: about US$116 a night, the lowest of the thirteen, with breakfast for two
- Most history – The Westin Miyako Kyoto: founded in 1890, with Einstein and Princess Diana among its guests, and a hot spring in the hotel
- Small and refined – Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto: only 25 rooms, facing Nijo Castle, one Michelin Key
- The Arashiyama pick – Suiran: on the Hozu River, with some rooms having private natural hot-spring baths, one Michelin Key
- Higashiyama hot spring – Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto: a natural hot spring and a Noh stage in the hotel
- Most unique experience – ROKU KYOTO: the only outdoor natural hot-spring pool within Kyoto city
- Best location – The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto: right on the Kamo River, convenient for Gion and Kawaramachi
- Most beautiful garden – Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto: the hotel is built around Shakusuien, an 800-year-old garden
- Top-end choice – Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto: Kyoto's only three-Key Michelin hotel, facing Nijo Castle
- Best perks value – Capella Kyoto: opened in March 2026 and already a two-Key Michelin hotel this year, with a refundable rate of about US$1,478 a night
- Best view – Park Hyatt Kyoto: at the foot of Kiyomizu-dera, with Yasaka Pagoda outside the windows of some rooms
- Most worth visiting – Aman Kyoto: hidden in a forest, two Michelin Keys
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike is next to Takaragaike Park in the north of Kyoto. It reopened in October 2020 as part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, with 310 rooms. The main building is an oval tower designed by the Japanese master architect Togo Murano, wrapped around a central courtyard, and the rooms look out on the wooded hills of Takaragaike Park.
The hotel is about a 7-minute walk from Kokusaikaikan Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, and about 20 minutes by subway to Kyoto Station. It's a bit far from Gion and Kiyomizu-dera, but it wins on quiet, with almost no tourists around.
For dining, the main restaurant ITO-ZAKURA is mainly Western food, with Japanese cuisine also served Friday through Sunday and on holidays; the former Chinese restaurant, Japanese restaurant and lobby lounge closed in January 2025. In the evening you can sit down for a drink at Bar Ascot, and in the garden there is a sukiya-style tea house serving kaiseki meals.
If you want to stay once in a famous building at a very low price and don't mind being farther from the city center, this should be the best value in this article.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$92–174 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$116 a night, US$348 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, with daily breakfast for two included. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
The Westin Miyako Kyoto
The Westin Miyako Kyoto is in the Keage area of Higashiyama. Founded in 1890, it is one of Kyoto's oldest hotels, and Einstein, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana have all stayed here. The hotel reopened in April 2021 after a major renovation, with fewer rooms and an average room size increased from about 35 to about 50 square meters.
The hotel is about a 2-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line, with Nanzen-ji and Heian Jingu nearby, and a free shuttle bus to Kyoto Station takes about 25 minutes. The hotel has a 2,100-square-meter Kacho Spa, whose hot spring water comes from the Keage hot spring in the hotel, with a semi-outdoor bath and sauna; the annex Kasuien is a sukiya-style building designed by Togo Murano, and some rooms have private baths.
For dining, Dominique Bouchet is the French restaurant, and there are also teppanyaki and an all-day restaurant.
If you want to stay once in a century-old hotel and soak in a hot spring within the city, take a look at this one.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$205–382 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$288 a night, US$864 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, with daily breakfast for two included. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Hyatt Regency Kyoto is in Higashiyama Ward, right next to Sanjusangendo and the Kyoto National Museum, and opened in April 2006. The interiors were designed by the Japanese design firm Super Potato, using lots of old wood, washi paper and Kyoto textiles, with a Japanese garden behind with a waterfall and pond.
The hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Shichijo Station on the Keihan Line and also close to Kyoto Station; to the east is the Kiyomizu-dera area, and it is the most affordable of the Higashiyama hotels.
For dining, Touzan serves Japanese cuisine and sushi, and Trattoria Sette is the Italian restaurant.
If you want to stay in Higashiyama with Sanjusangendo outside the door and not spend too much, this should be the best fit.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$244–358 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$307 a night, US$920 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, with daily breakfast for two and a hotel credit included. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$50 to US$100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto
Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto is directly across from Nijo Castle and opened in June 2022 as a hotel of the Garrya brand under Banyan Tree Group. It has only 25 rooms, the smallest room type about 40 square meters, with interiors by the Japanese designer Yukio Hashimoto; the rooms are staggered like a flight of geese, echoing the layouts of Nijo Castle and Katsura Imperial Villa.
Outside the lobby are a pond and a grove of trees, and in autumn the red leaves reflected in the water are the hotel at its most beautiful. The hotel has Elements Spa and a gym and yoga room.
For dining, Singular is the hotel's only restaurant, serving creative Japanese-French cuisine; the lobby lounge serves tea by day and drinks in the evening.
In the 2026 Michelin Keys selection this hotel has one Key, and it has made the list for three years running since 2024.
If you want a small, refined hotel with Nijo Castle outside the door, take a look at this one.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$215–482 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$404 a night, US$1,212 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, and this price is already the promotional price with the third night free for a 3-night stay. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Suiran, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto
Suiran is on the Hozu River in Arashiyama. It opened in March 2015 as the first Marriott Luxury Collection hotel in Japan, with 39 rooms, 17 of which have outdoor private baths with natural hot spring water. The hotel backs onto Arashiyama and preserves a 19th-century house, which is now the hotel's Kyoto cuisine restaurant.
The hotel is very close to Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryu-ji, and a morning walk in the bamboo grove before the tourists arrive is most pleasant. Besides the in-room private baths, the hotel also has a public outdoor hot spring and spa.
For dining, Kyo-Suiran serves Kyoto kaiseki, Kansan is teppanyaki, and the thatched-roof Café Hassui serves afternoon tea.
In the 2026 Michelin Keys selection this hotel has one Key.
If you want to avoid the city center and spend a few days in Arashiyama soaking in a hot spring in your room while looking at the mountains, this should be the best choice.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$484–1,200 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$570 a night, US$1,710 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, with daily breakfast for two included. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$100 hotel credit, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto is on Ryozen in Higashiyama. It opened in August 2024 as Banyan Tree's first hotel in Japan, with 52 rooms. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma, with three gardens and a bamboo grove in the hotel, plus a Noh stage, the only one of its kind among Kyoto hotels.
The hotel sits between Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji, and stepping out puts you in the temple district of Higashiyama. The hotel's hot spring is natural, with separate indoor and outdoor baths for men and women, and some rooms also have private baths of their own.
For dining, Ryozen is the hotel's kappo restaurant, with Bar Ryozen next to it.
If you want to stay in Higashiyama and also soak in a hot spring, this should be the best fit.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$569–844 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$593 a night, US$1,779 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. At the same time the hotel's public price is about US$596 and about US$609 on Expedia, both prepaid and non-refundable, so the advisor rate is basically level with the public rate, but with refundability and the perks added. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts
ROKU KYOTO is at the foot of Takagamine in the north of Kyoto. It opened in the fall of 2021 as the first hotel in Asia of Hilton's luxury brand LXR, with 114 rooms. The hotel sits in a large estate not far from Kinkaku-ji, with the Tenjin River flowing alongside.
The most special feature here is the outdoor natural hot-spring pool, the only one within Kyoto city, open all four seasons, so even when it snows in winter you can soak and look at the garden. There is also a warm-water pool and ROKU SPA.
For dining, TENJIN is the hotel's main restaurant, open from morning to night, with a chef's table in the evening.
If you want to avoid the crowds of the city center and quietly soak in a hot spring for a few days, take a look at this one.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$256–841 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$696 a night, US$2,087 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$100 hotel credit, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is on the west bank of the Kamo River next to Nijo Ohashi Bridge. It opened in February 2014 with 134 rooms, some of them tatami-style suites. The hotel's floors are kept low, and seen from across the river it is about the same height as the surrounding machiya.
The hotel is very close to Kyoto City Hall Station on the subway, and walking south along the Kamo River takes you to Pontocho, Kawaramachi and Gion, so going out for dinner is easy. The hotel has a 20-meter indoor pool and a spa.
For dining, Mizuki is the hotel's Japanese restaurant, serving kaiseki and tempura; La Locanda is the Italian restaurant; and the desserts and afternoon tea in the lobby lounge are by Pierre Hermé.
A stay review for reference: cherry blossoms, the Kamo River, and a flawless Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.
If you want to stay in the city center and be able to walk both banks of the Kamo River, this should be the most convenient choice in Kyoto.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$763–1,271 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$901 a night, US$2,702 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$100 hotel credit, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Four Seasons Kyoto is in the Myohoin area of Higashiyama. It opened in October 2016 with 123 rooms and suites, plus 57 hotel residences. The whole hotel is built around Shakusuien, an 800-year-old pond garden, with a small bridge over the pond and a tea house by its edge.
The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera, and Sanjusangendo is nearby. The hotel has a 20-meter indoor pool, as well as a Japanese bath, sauna and steam room.
For dining, EMBA Kyoto Grill is the hotel's charcoal-grill restaurant, Sushi Ginza Onodera is an Edomae sushi counter with only 10 seats, and the tea house FUJU is a place to sit down for tea and look at the garden.
If you want a quiet stay in Kyoto with an old garden outside your window, take a look at this one.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$752–1,146 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$1,022 a night, US$3,067 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$100 hotel credit, and upgrades subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is directly across from Nijo Castle. It opened in 2020 as a hotel in Marriott's Luxury Collection. The site was originally the old Mitsui family residence, and the entrance gate, more than 300 years old, has been preserved, with interiors by André Fu.
In the 2026 Michelin Keys selection this hotel has three Keys, the only three-Key hotel in Kyoto; in 2025 it also made the World’s 50 Best Hotels list.
The hotel has a hot-spring spa in the basement, with spring water drawn from about 1,000 meters underground, and some suites have private baths.
For dining, TOKI is the hotel's French restaurant and FORNI is the Italian restaurant.
If you want to stay once at Kyoto's top city hotel with Nijo Castle outside the door, this should be the first choice.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$695–986 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$1,032 a night, US$3,095 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$100 hotel credit, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Capella Kyoto
Capella Kyoto is in the Miyagawacho geisha district, and opened on March 22, 2026, the newest of the thirteen in this article, with 89 rooms, including 6 suites with private hot-spring baths. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma's firm together with Brewin Design Office; Kennin-ji is across the street, and the Kamo River is a few steps to the west.
Miyagawacho is one of Kyoto's five geisha districts, and the hotel also arranges experiences related to geisha culture. The spa, Auriga Spa, has three private hot-spring rooms.
For dining, SoNoMa by SingleThread is the hotel's signature restaurant, with only 12 seats; there is also the French restaurant Lanterne and the late-night kappo restaurant Yoi.
In the 2026 Michelin Keys selection this hotel earned two Keys only half a year after opening.
If you want to stay at Kyoto's newest luxury hotel in the Gion area, take a look at this one.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$1,138–1,643 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$1,478 a night, US$4,434 for 3 nights, refundable at this price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Park Hyatt Kyoto
Park Hyatt Kyoto is on the slope of Higashiyama right beside Kodai-ji, and opened in October 2019. The hotel was built on the site of the century-old ryotei Sanso Kyoyamato, with several low buildings stepping down the hillside, and from some rooms and the terrace you look out to Yasaka Pagoda and the old rooftops of Higashiyama. The entry-level garden-view room is 45 square meters.
Step out of the hotel and you are on Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, within walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera, and an early morning walk before the tourists arrive is most pleasant. The hotel has a preserved old garden and a spa.
For dining, Sanso Kyoyamato, a kyo-kaiseki house founded in 1877, is now inside the hotel; Kyoto Bistro is the all-day restaurant.
Stay reviews for reference: Kiyomizu-dera is best seen from a Park Hyatt window; the Park Hyatt Kyoto stay review; breakfast with a view; the Park Hyatt Kyoto hotel breakfast.
If you want to stay at the foot of Kiyomizu-dera with Yasaka Pagoda outside your window, this should be the most picturesque choice in Kyoto.
Reference price: most of the year (except for certain peak dates) about US$860–1,429 a night before tax. Taking a February 1, 2027 check-in as the example, the advisor-channel rate including taxes averages US$1,967 a night, US$5,900 for 3 nights, refundable at this price, for the 45-square-meter garden-view room. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, a US$50 to US$100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Aman Kyoto
Aman Kyoto is in the hills north of Kinkaku-ji, and opened in November 2019. The whole hotel sits in about 32 hectares of forest and moss garden, designed by Kerry Hill. It has only 26 rooms spread across 6 pavilions, the smallest room type about 60 square meters.
It's about a 20-minute walk from Kinkaku-ji and about half an hour by car to Kyoto Station. The hotel has its own natural hot spring, as well as a spa.
For dining, Living Pavilion by Aman is the hotel's all-day restaurant and Taka-an is Japanese cuisine.
In the 2026 Michelin Keys selection this hotel has two Keys.
If you want a Kyoto that is completely quiet, where you walk in and no longer see the city, this should be the best choice.
Reference price: the advisor-channel rate averages US$3,262 a night, US$9,786 for 3 nights, prepaid at this price, exactly level with the hotel's public price. The perks usually include daily breakfast for two, one hotel-specific perk (mostly a hotel credit), and upgrades, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Check the latest price for this hotel →
Closing thoughts
Among these thirteen, for the lowest price choose The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike; for a century-old hotel with a hot spring in the city look at The Westin Miyako; for Higashiyama on a budget choose Hyatt Regency Kyoto; if you like small and refined with Nijo Castle opposite, look at Garrya; for Arashiyama by the river with a private bath choose Suiran; for a Higashiyama hot spring choose Banyan Tree; to avoid the crowds, look at ROKU's outdoor hot spring; to stay on the Kamo River and walk out to explore, look at The Ritz-Carlton; if you love old gardens look at Four Seasons; for Kyoto's top city hotel go to The Mitsui Kyoto; for the newest and best-value perks look at Capella; to open the window onto Yasaka Pagoda choose Park Hyatt; and to hide away in a forest for a few days go to Aman.
These prices are the perks-channel rates we can get as an accredited travel advisor, and they come with extras such as breakfast and hotel-specific perks that can't be booked through public channels.
If any of these thirteen appeals to you, book with us at the cash rate and you get these perks, with no membership to maintain and no thresholds to hit, and what you save is real money.