5-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

We booked a triple room, and with three beds, the room was quite compact, but we could still fit our luggage. The hotel is a bit of a distance from the station, but there are two buses an hour to Kyoto Station, which is very convenient, and the location is easy to find. For breakfast, there are two restaurants to choose from. The Japanese one offers a set meal, so we ate at the Western restaurant all three days, which basically met our needs.

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.

After extensive research on various social media and travel apps, I chose this hotel, and my experience far exceeded expectations – it was truly worth it. The airport/station transfer was convenient, and the front desk staff provided excellent service, making me feel right at home. The room was spacious, and all amenities were exceptionally complete. The hotel's location is also superb; it's quiet at night, and various attractions are within walking distance, just across the street from the luxurious Capella. The public bath was a delightful surprise, much cleaner and more professional than many hot spring resorts in China. A soak before bed truly helped me recover and recharge. Regarding some reviews mentioning preferential treatment towards white guests and ***, I didn't experience any of that, except for one odd instance during breakfast where my half-eaten meal was cleared away prematurely. The breakfast selection was incredibly diverse and plentiful. Overall, a fantastic and worthwhile stay!

Exceptional Stay in Kyoto for the Whole Family! We had an outstanding stay at Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto during our family trip. The location is ideal—situated in a quiet neighborhood yet only a short walk from Shijo and Karasuma stations, making it effortless to explore the city's top attractions. Unlike many typical, compact Japanese hotel rooms, the accommodation here was remarkably spacious, exceptionally clean, and comfortable, giving our family plenty of room to relax after a long day of sightseeing. The amenities were top-notch, and the beds guaranteed a restful night's sleep. What truly elevated our experience was the hospitality. The staff demonstrated true Japanese Omotenashi—always polite, attentive, and eager to assist with directions and luggage. The breakfast buffet was another highlight, offering a delicious variety of both authentic Japanese dishes and Western options. We couldn’t have asked for a better home base in Kyoto and would highly recommend it to any family or group visiting the city!

Conveniently located, spacious rooms, complete dining facilities, good service, but average room cleaning. We chose this hotel located within Kyoto Station for our leisure trip to Kyoto. Overall, the experience was quite good. The room was quite large, and despite facing the train station, the sound insulation was excellent; we could barely hear the sound of vehicles. The daily newspaper delivery was a nice traditional service. For breakfast, there's a buffet restaurant on the 2nd floor and a Japanese set meal on the 3rd floor. We stayed for 3 nights and tried both, each with its unique characteristics. The Japanese breakfast didn't have a huge variety of dishes, but there were three options for rice, and the ritual of cooking the rice on-site was very impressive. Room cleaning was a bit subpar. There were obvious stains on the carpet, and I'm not sure if they couldn't be cleaned or for what reason (Picture 2), but it was unpleasant to look at. A bottle cap left by the previous guest was also not cleaned up (Picture 3), which is unacceptable. When checking out, after paying the taxes, the front desk attendant handed the bill directly to us without an envelope, which felt unprofessional and unfriendly.

Nice staff with efficient check-in and check-out procedures. Although it is just around 10-15mins walk between the hotel and Kyoto Station, I like that the hotel provides shuttle bus service every 20mins which offers a better choice for us to escape from the hot weather.

The service was really mediocre. I specifically requested a room on the 9th floor a month in advance because it's near the Executive Lounge, meaning I wouldn't have to go up and down floors. However, they completely ignored my request, and when I asked, they simply said the hotel was full. When I checked in at night, I felt the front desk staff weren't very friendly either. The lobby is quite nice, and while the food at the Executive Lounge isn't extensive, the ambiance is decent. If the price difference isn't too much, definitely go for an Executive Lounge room. The room also had an unpleasant smell. The location is alright. Overall, I wouldn't recommend staying for an extended period; it's more suitable for a one-night stopover.

The room layout wasn't particularly efficient; there were many awkward corners that wasted space, which meant a 2-meter bed couldn't fit. It felt a bit small, and not very family-friendly when traveling with kids. However, during our stay, it was my wife's birthday, and the hotel thoughtfully prepared a birthday cake, which was a lovely touch. They also provided lavender oil as an amenity to aid sleep. The hot spring was absolutely fantastic; soaking in it was incredibly relaxing, and all the amenities were excellent. The staff's service was also very pleasant. What made this hotel truly special was the direct access from the seventh floor to the Kachoen Garden on the back hill – a beautiful courtyard. You can even hike up and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto, and we even spotted two huge porcini mushrooms along the way! For transportation, there's a shuttle bus every half hour to Sanjo, Shijo, and the train station. They also offer luggage direct delivery service between the hotel and the train station, which is super convenient. For breakfast, my favorites were the onigiri and udon noodles. My little one could eat 5 onigiri in one sitting! Each topping for the udon noodles, though seemingly ordinary, was full of flavor and absolutely delicious – a definite thumbs up. The only downside is the daily queue for breakfast; the staff's efficiency is indeed quite low. A table would be empty for 5 minutes after guests left without being cleaned, then another 5 minutes after cleaning before new guests were led in. The staff also didn't proactively clear empty plates from guests' tables, so overall, service was very slow. I hope the hotel can improve this aspect.

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.