Kyoto Hotels with Bars

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.

I booked a king-sized bed room, but when I arrived at the hotel, I was told only twin rooms were available. After some discussion, they changed it to a twin room. The mini-fridge snacks in the room were all complimentary. You can also enjoy the hot springs for free in the evening, though I didn't get around to trying it. About 80% of the guests were Westerners, and the housekeeping staff were all from Southeast Asia. The hotel staff's attitude was excellent, which I really appreciated, but I noticed their attitude was even better towards Western guests... Most people walking around seemed to be Western tourists. The hotel isn't too far from nearby attractions; walking to Shijo and Kiyomizu-dera Temple is quite manageable. If you have the means, you could hire a car to visit other attractions, but it's not very friendly for those with luggage, as the sidewalks are incredibly narrow and you have to dodge both cars and people.

This was my second stay, and it truly offers the most spacious rooms I've encountered in Japan – I absolutely love it. The hotel has a grand exterior, and there's a dedicated complimentary onsen with multiple pools, some even featuring massage functions. They also provide a free drinks and snack area, and a room for enjoying music, making the overall experience very relaxing. The photos I took show the hotel room and the view from the balcony; we enjoyed moon-gazing at night and admiring the scenery in the morning. It's a quiet, open space that puts you at ease. The hotel restaurant serves excellent food, though the prices are a bit high; it would be even better if they could adjust them. The hotel is close to Kyoto Station, making it very convenient to get there by taxi.

Pros: The hotel is very close to major attractions and shopping areas. Yasaka Shrine, Takashimaya department store, and Shinkyogoku Market are all within walking distance. Kamo River is also just a five to six-minute walk away. A taxi to JR Kyoto Station costs 1700 yen and is about 2.5 kilometers. The hotel lobby is on the fourth floor, and there's a direct passage on the third floor to Takashimaya. Takashimaya's B1 level has a supermarket and restaurants that are popular with locals. The hotel service is excellent, and the environment is very good. The room size is quite spacious for Japan. You can refill your thermos at the water dispenser on each floor daily, which is very eco-friendly. There's a laundry room on the third floor that accepts WeChat Pay, so no coins are needed.

Just one train stop away from Kyoto Station. It takes roughly 3 mins to walk from the nearest subway exit. If you carry luggage and need the lift, you have to cross the road, which lengthens the walk to around 5–6 mins; overall the location is convenient. Lots of convenience stores nearby: FamilyMart and a cheap 24-hour local supermarket are right across the street, while Lawson is a 3-min straight walk without crossing roads. The area stays quiet at night with a few casual eateries around. Namba is around 20 mins’ brisk walk away, and both Shijo and Sanjo districts are reachable on foot too, so you won’t panic even if you miss the last train late at night. A drugstore open till 11pm is just a 5-min walk behind the hotel for daily shopping. Rooms are kept spotlessly clean with good hot water supply. Space is compact, which is typical for Japanese hotels. Daily housekeeping service is included. No special view from the window, only ordinary street scenery. Free luggage storage is available at reception upon request as with regular hotels. Check-in at front desk is fast and staff are warm and friendly. There is a small lounge downstairs serving coffee in the morning. I went out and came back twice during my stay, and the handsome male bartender greeted me with Japanese “おかえりなさい” (welcome back) each time. Minor drawbacks: No complimentary bottled water inside rooms. You need to use the provided glass cup and fetch drinking water outside the room. Besides, the lift has rather dim lighting, which makes you feel a little drowsy once you step inside.

My stay here was absolutely wonderful; I felt comfortable and relaxed throughout. The hotel's location is super convenient for getting around. The entire hotel is spotless and well-maintained, with public areas that are tidy, quiet, and elegant. My room was immaculately clean, the bedding was soft and comfy, and the layout was practical. All the amenities were complete and fully functional, making for a cozy and secure stay. The staff were incredibly warm, polite, and respectful. Check-in and check-out were handled very efficiently, making the whole experience smooth and hassle-free.

Online hotel bookings can often feel like a blind box draw, but Dusit Thani was definitely the right pick. Every staff member I encountered had an excellent attitude, the room was spotless, and even though the turndown service only provided a bottle of water, it was a pleasant and thoughtful touch. Thai brands truly excel in their service consciousness and aesthetic sense. The room itself was incredibly comfortable, and with no other guests in the public lobby areas, I thoroughly enjoyed the bliss of reading a book alone.

When we chose this hotel, we saw pictures and videos that made us think it was a resort estate, but it's not. There's very little to see inside the hotel; I could walk through the entire property in 5 minutes. Secondly, the hotel advertises natural hot springs, but the public ones reek of disinfectant as soon as you walk in, which is very unpleasant. The room itself was okay and had character, and the bathtub was very large with a pleasant woody scent when bathing. Finally, the breakfast – honestly, the taste was just mediocre. I wouldn't choose this hotel again at the same price point.

The hotel's location is excellent, making it very convenient to get around. The service was warm and attentive, and the food was also good. The breakfast offered both Japanese and Western options, and the Japanese breakfast was truly fantastic. I'll definitely choose to stay here again on my next trip to Kyoto.

The largest room we’ve stayed in during our Japan trip. We absolutely loved it. We selected the Premium Deluxe room for the space as we wanted to rest well in Kyoto and got tired of the small rooms in Tokyo. The bed is the most comfortable bed I’ve slept in, and the bathroom is spacious. I would recommend the Premium Deluxe for people who have more budget and want to rest well. 10/10 would stay here again.