Hotels met spa in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

We stayed here for a family trip over Children's Day in May. Banyan Tree is such a renowned brand even in Korea, so I had high expectations when I booked our stay. However, we were hoping for a mountain view, but instead, we got a cemetery view – and on a dark, rainy night, it was quite enough to give us nightmares. If you're looking for a relaxing experience, like soaking in a Japanese cypress (hinoki) bathtub, you'll be satisfied, but I have to say the view was extremely disappointing. On the positive side, the Japanese tatami room vibe was very pleasing, and the aroma oil program at the spa was really interesting.

Our experience at Six Senses Kyoto was truly wonderful. As a new hotel opened in 2024, it exudes an elegant Japanese Zen style, and the public courtyard is particularly photogenic. The room was spacious enough at 42 square meters, and the attention to detail was impeccable. The breakfast selection was rich, offering both local Kyoto flavors and Western options, and the quality of the food was excellent. Its location isn't far from Gion and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, making it very convenient for sightseeing. The only slight downside is that it's a bit of a distance from the subway, so I'd recommend taking a taxi for getting around. The service was meticulous and attentive, making for a very relaxing stay overall, perfect for those looking to slow down and enjoy a holiday.

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.

We are highly recommend to stay in this hotel, while the location, room size, cleanliness, design, and service are excellent. Moreover, the breakfast style is enough to choose, you can either enjoy in western or Japanese style breakfast per day. And we have encountered a traffic jam issue when we are coming back from Nara Station, something bad happened and the train was suddenly stopped. So we cannot be able to back to hotel on time for retrieving our packed luggages in room. We called to the hotel and explained this unexpected situation. The staffs show understand and offered free late check out one more hour for us, we know it is not easy to have free late check out at Japan but they did treat us so well. Thank you so much, we appreciated and we will stay in future as well. Thank you!

The hotel is tucked away in a lively area, and I had a fantastic three-night stay here. 1. The service was incredibly responsive, and all the staff were wonderfully warm and friendly. 2. The room's bedding was comfortable, and it was so quiet I fell asleep instantly on the first two nights, haha! (Though the pillows are quite soft, so guests with neck issues might need to request a different one.) The cleanliness was impeccable, very friendly for germaphobes. 3. The breakfast selection wasn't vast, but the taste was good, leaning towards a refined, small-scale type of meal. I'd give it about a 6.5 out of 10, with a focus on a European-Thai fusion flavor. 4. Local dining options aren't super concentrated; you'll generally need to take a taxi 1-2 km to find food. I highly recommend Kubota Tsukemen, about 20 meters to the left of the hotel! Absolutely delicious! As a carb lover, I adored it! Try to go during off-peak hours, or you'll be waiting in line for a long time.

The buffet was quite crowded, offering a wide variety of food. The coin-operated laundry machines and smoking area were well-equipped. The room amenities included everything except a razor. You can wear yukata and slippers throughout the hotel, and there's a great drink bar available in the evening.

The location is excellent, just a three-minute walk from the metro station. The rooms are spacious, and the bathroom has a separate shower and toilet. Right across from the hotel is the Culture Museum, which is housed in a beautiful old building itself. Downstairs, there are bars and restaurants with good food. Shin-Puh-Kan Hall and BAL are also within walking distance.

If I come to Kyoto again, I'll definitely book Kyoto Good Nature! It was my husband's birthday on the day we checked in, which we hadn't mentioned beforehand. An expatriate man, possibly Indian, helped us check in. There was a slight communication barrier; he kept pointing at the room number and repeating things, and we just kept saying 'okay.' It wasn't until we got to the room after checking in that we realized he had upgraded us for free, which was such a pleasant surprise. It was late by then, and when I went back to the front desk to look for him, he was already gone. I really wanted to thank him for giving us the most beautiful room on this trip. The room was also very clean, and it's super convenient to get to Takashimaya. The public transportation nearby is excellent too. Honestly, there's not a single downside; I highly recommend it!

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.

We had a wonderful stay at Dhawa Yura Kyoto and wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. The location is excellent, right next to Sanjo Station and within easy walking distance of Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Nishiki Market and many of Kyoto's main attractions. It made getting around the city incredibly easy. The hotel itself is modern, stylish and immaculately clean. Our room was spacious and very comfortable, quiet and a welcome place to relax after long days exploring Kyoto in the summer heat. One of the highlights was the breakfast. There was an excellent selection of both Japanese and Western dishes, with fresh fruit, eggs, rice, grilled fish, noodles, miso soup, vegetables, pastries, juices and good coffee and English breakfast tea. Everything was fresh and well presented, and it gave us a great start before our early morning adventures. The staff were consistently warm, welcoming and professional throughout our stay. We particularly appreciated being able to hire bicycles from the hotel, which allowed us to cycle to Kiyomizu-dera at sunrise before the crowds arrived. It became one of the highlights of our entire Japan trip. Overall, Dhawa Yura offered the perfect combination of comfort, service and location. If you're looking for a boutique hotel in Kyoto that's close to everything while still feeling peaceful and relaxing, this is an excellent choice. Highly recommended.