Hotel Review: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan
- Points and Places
- Jan 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 28
On an around-the-world trip, we began our adventure in Japan, visiting Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. The highlight of the trip was definitely our time in Kyoto. This city was an incredible place, and our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto made it even better. Japan’s hospitality, combined with the luxury and service of the Ritz-Carlton, created a truly memorable experience. This hotel quickly became one of my favorites, and I can’t wait to return.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Location
Kyoto offers plenty to explore, and the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is perfectly situated on the banks of the Kamogawa River, providing easy access to many attractions. We arrived by train after from Hakone, and a short taxi ride from the station brought us to the hotel.
The hotel has a discreet entrance that blends into its surroundings. It features 134 rooms. Traveling as a family of four, we booked two rooms for five nights, using a significant number of Marriott Bonvoy points and benefiting from the fifth-night-free offer. Rooms here aren’t cheap—whether paying in points or cash—but we decided to splurge. Many of our other stays in Japan were more modest, and some, like the Hilton Odaiba in Tokyo, left us underwhelmed. It felt good to treat ourselves, and this hotel was the perfect place to do it.
Booking with Marriott Bonvoy Points
Points bookings usually secure a Deluxe Guest Room with a king bed and city view starting at around 88,000 points per night. During peak seasons, rates can exceed 135,000 points per night. While this is on the higher end of Bonvoy redemptions, it’s worth it. Cash rates are around $1,750 CAD per night, making points redemptions a great value—especially if you can secure an 88,000 point redemption and achieve 2 cents or more per point.
Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto Arrival and Check-In
The hotel entrance features a serene water display, and a musician playing a traditional instrument greeted us as we arrived. Check-in was efficient, and the staff offered a detailed overview of the hotel and Kyoto’s attractions—it felt like a guided tour right at the start! Their knowledge and attention to detail were impressive. I wish more hotels offered this level of service. By the time we finished checking in, we had our next five days packed with planned activities.
Deluxe Guest Room with River View
We received a personal tour of our rooms. The deluxe room design was luxurious yet functional, with a cozy patio and a table perfect for relaxing. The first thing that stood out was the size of the bed—it was enormous! It could have easily accommodated our whole family, though each room is limited to two guests. The hotel placed us in adjoining rooms and upgraded us to river-view rooms, a delightful surprise we only discovered during the tour.
Everything in the room was in immaculate condition—it felt as if we were the first people to stay there. I can only imagine the effort required to keep rooms in such pristine condition after many travelers.
A thoughtful welcome treat also awaited us—just the first of many surprises. Every evening, we returned to new treats, setting a luxurious tone for the stay. Turn-down service each night was impeccable, setting a high standard for other hotels.
We found the patio especially useful for enjoying our morning coffee while taking in the sights and sounds of the Kamogawa River. Another unique detail was that during our entire stay, whether for daily service or nighttime turn-down, we never encountered the housekeeping staff. It was as if they knew exactly when we left and magically completed their tasks before we returned.
Dining
For breakfast, the hotel offered both Japanese and Western-style options. We chose the Western breakfast at La Locanda Italian restaurant, and it was outstanding! The selection wasn’t vast, but every item was prepared with care and high-end ingredients. Since this is a Ritz-Carlton, breakfast was not included even with our Bonvoy status, but the hotel kindly provided it free for one day of our stay. Numerous cafés and restaurants were within walking distance for those seeking more authentic local flavors. We found a charming pastry shop nearby and enjoyed delicious treats several times during our stay.
Spa and Pool
The indoor pool was a serene place for swimming and relaxing after exploring Kyoto. Although it lacked outdoor sunlight, as it was located in the basement, the calm atmosphere more than compensated. The sauna was equally soothing and well-maintained. It was impossible not to feel relaxed while spending time there.
Exploring Kyoto
Kyoto’s walkability made it easy to explore, and taxis and the subway system helped reach more distant attractions. The hotel’s central location allowed us to maximize our time in this beautiful city. We visited the Imperial Palace, numerous shrines, and must-see spots like the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine with its 10,000 gates, and Yasaka Pagoda. Visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine was an unforgettable experience that will stay with me forever—it should be on every Kyoto itinerary.
Overall
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto is now one of my favorite hotels. It blends comfort, exceptional service, and a peaceful setting. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a remarkable stay in Kyoto. It’s expensive, but whether you use points or cash, it’s worth the splurge. I can’t wait to return the next time I’m in Japan—there are very few hotels I can say that about.
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