Name: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
Address: Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Kyoto, 604-0902, Japan

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

About the hotel

Loyalty programme

Style

Cosmopolitan

Rooms

134

"Set alongside the Kamogawa River with the Higashiyama Mountains in the distance, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto boasts sleek rooms, Michelin-starred dining and a robust collection of contemporary art."

The beauty and history that defines Kyoto easily makes it one of the most fascinating places in Japan. Set alongside the Kamogawa River with the Higashiyama Mountains in the distance, the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto claims a particularly beautiful slice of the city. Gorgeous from the get-go, the hotel is an elegantly designed blend of past and present, offering modern luxury while honouring the city’s ancient past. Check in over traditional Japanese tea before being swept off to your room, and be sure to inhale deeply as you go – the entire place is perfumed by the fragrance of green tea, the hotel’s signature scent.

Hundreds of pieces of contemporary Japanese art adorn the hotel, and the commitment to artistry extends to the guest rooms in the form of delicate bonsais and cushions woven by local artists. Choose an east-facing room and skip those that face west; the former’s views are of the river and the mountains, while the latter’s vistas are rather underwhelming. Rooms themselves feel sleek and serene; the pared-down aesthetic features plenty of blonde wood, tasteful furnishings and large picture windows. The suites on the highest floors are worth the splurge; zen gardens and private terraces await you there, in addition to the hotel’s very best views.

Western cuisine (specifically Italian) can be found at the restaurant La Locanda, and French confections live at Pierre Hermé Paris Boutique. That said, the hotel’s crown jewel – called Mizuki – focuses on flavours close to home. The Japanese restaurant is Michelin-starred and is nothing short of excellent. Visit the Lobby Lounge for afternoon tea (and scrumptious French pastries), and be sure to end each evening with a cocktail in the ever-trendy The Bar.

Take a look at the enormous three-story waterfall that can be seen from the main floor: its stream empties into the spa’s 20-metre swimming pool, elegantly tying the whole hotel together. If you aren’t keen on swimming laps, there’s a contemporary fitness centre and the spa itself, which is visually stunning and has a hushed ambience that evokes tranquillity. A comprehensive menu offers a good assortment of treatments, from the expected massages to dry skin brushing and argan oil scalp treatments. If you’re curious about the local culture, don’t miss the morning chanting experience, the complimentary guided hikes and bike rides, the Japanese gift-wrapping class and the traditional Kyo-Karakami paper craft class. Young guests aren’t left out of the fun: there are balloon animal events, treasure hunts, evening programmes and a kids club to keep them busy.

Hotel amenities

Air conditioning

Laundry/valet service

Restaurant

Room service

Wheelchair access

Lounges/bars

Children welcome

Business centre

Fitness centre

Internet complimentary

Show less