The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto: Exceptional service compensates for its less-than-ideal location

In Kyoto, Japan, the hotel scene is highly competitive, with many luxury brands like Aman, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and LXR's Roku Kyoto all vying for attention. Choosing the right hotel depends on your budget, loyalty points, and travel preferences. If you plan to use points or complimentary night certificates, you’ll find excellent choices from Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, including The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.

During my spring trip to Japan, I aimed to stay at top-tier hotels where I could utilize loyalty rewards. As I have a fondness for the Ritz brand, I opted for The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto for two of my nights amid the city’s numerous offerings. Here’s what you can anticipate if you decide to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.

How to get there

We arrived from the Park Hyatt Kyoto, but most visitors likely reach The Ritz-Carlton via the Shinkansen bullet train. The journey from Tokyo to Kyoto Station takes about two hours and 15 minutes. We paid 15,400 Japanese yen (approximately $98) for one-way first-class reserved seats, purchasing our tickets through the smartEX app. Upon arriving at Kyoto Station, a taxi ride to The Ritz-Carlton will take around 10 minutes and cost roughly $12-$15.

Alternatively, you can fly into Osaka International Airport (ITM) and then take a car service or taxi to The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, which is about a 50-minute drive. You could also opt for the train to Kyoto and then catch a taxi from there.

A train station, Sanjo Station on the Keihan Line, is conveniently located near the hotel. If you're heading to Osaka next, you can take the Keihan Line to Yodoyai Station. Additionally, two subway stations—Kyoto City Hall and Tozai—are just a short walk from The Ritz.

Reservation information

In our household, we employ a loyalty strategy as a duo, where both my husband and I utilize certain credit cards with benefits throughout the year. When planning our trip to Kyoto, our original intention was to stay at the Park Hyatt Kyoto for the entire time. However, we discovered that each of us possessed a free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Consequently, our plans evolved to include spending the final two nights of our trip at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto. We needed to "top up" each certificate with additional points — 11,000 points for one night and 15,000 points for the other — since the award nights exceeded 85,000 points each. The cash rate for the same room during our visit was $1,059. I believe this was an excellent way to utilize our certificates, though I regret not booking this for the beginning of our stay instead of the end.

If you're considering using Marriott Bonvoy points (or transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points instantly on a 1:1 basis to Marriott), be prepared to spend at least 90,000 points per night during the spring. Certain nights in March and April can reach as high as 138,000 points each.

Should you choose not to book directly through Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto is included in American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts. If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can access this platform via amextravel.com, which offers perks such as availability-based upgrades, a $100 credit for use during your stay on items like food and drinks, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed late checkout (minimum two-night stay required).

Key features of the experience.

• Scenic views of the Kamogama River
• Within walking distance of Gion and Nishiki Market
• Tatami rooms for guests interested in traditional Japanese sleeping on futons
• Multiple dining options available on-site
• Serene spa and heated indoor swimming pool

Cons

• Elegant yet somewhat impersonal public areas and guest accommodations
• Not conveniently located near some of Kyoto's most renowned attractions, like the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Certain rooms offer dull or uninspiring vistas

The atmosphere

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto has the ambiance of a large business hotel, catering to corporate meetings, conventions, and wedding events. There’s a wedding boutique beneath the lobby that seemed to be quite popular during our visit.

Even so, it never felt crowded; rather, it radiated tranquility from the moment we exited the taxi at the hotel's underground entrance. The approach is somewhat understated, featuring just a small sign displaying the hotel's name.

Upon reaching the entrance, you're guided along a sheltered outdoor pathway, accompanied by the soothing sound of water cascading down stone steps on either side.

As you step inside the hotel, the ambiance becomes serene, with soft tones and dim lighting creating an atmosphere of tranquil privacy.

We arrived during the height of afternoon tea at The Lobby Lounge. Despite every table being occupied, the atmosphere remained surprisingly quiet on that side of the lobby. When it's less busy, this area serves as a corridor to the La Locanda Italian restaurant, as well as to the guest room elevators and hotel entrance.

Directly opposite the lounge are the Pierre Hermé sweet shop and the front desk. Upon our arrival, the bellhop communicated our entrance via her earpiece, prompting a front desk staff member to greet us and escort us to our room for check-in. This personalized service is something we always appreciate at hotels like this one.

During our stay, a woman played a traditional koto, a stringed instrument, creating a serene atmosphere in the reception area.

While The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto exudes elegance, it has a feel that could be found anywhere in Japan, lacking many elements that are unique to its location.

Accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto features 134 rooms and suites, each offering views of the Kamogama River, the Higashiyama mountains, serene Japanese gardens, or the city, depending on the room type.

Standard deluxe guest rooms measure 538 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city or courtyard. They can accommodate up to three guests with king-size beds, and cribs are available at no charge, while rollaway beds can be added for a fee of 12,000 yen. Please note that there is no accessible version of this room type.

Additionally, there are deluxe courtyard-view rooms measuring 667 square feet, equipped with two double beds, as well as deluxe garden-view rooms that can accommodate up to three guests and are wheelchair accessible.

Below are the other available room types:

• 560-square-foot Grand Deluxe Kamogama room with a river view and either one king bed or two double beds
• 699-square-foot Garden Suite featuring a king bed
• 667-square-foot Garden Terrace Suite with mountain views and a king bed
• 667-square-foot Garden Terrace Tatami Suite with twin futons
• Corner Kita Larger Suite with river views and a king bed
• 1,076-square-foot Corner Tatami Larger Suite with city views and twin futons
• 1,237-square-foot Corner Minami Larger Suite with river views and a king bed
• 1,356-square-foot Kamogawa Executive Suite with river views and either a king bed or two double beds
• 1,506-square-foot Tsukimi Penthouse Suite with mountain views, a terrace, and a king bed

Every room is equipped with 600-thread-count linens, plush duvets, pillowtop mattresses, and feather beds, along with nightly turndown service and round-the-clock room service.

We opted for a deluxe garden-view room, as it was the category where we could utilize our free night certificates. Despite being Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members for years and celebrating our 30th anniversary, we did not receive a room upgrade, even though higher-category rooms and suites were available for cash booking upon arrival. This experience is one reason I prefer Hyatt; as a Hyatt Globalist, I typically receive upgrades, whereas upgrades with Marriott are rare for me.

That said, the room was beautifully appointed and very comfortable, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The hotel also provided lovely amenities, including fresh fruit and homemade treats for us to enjoy.

Even the standard rooms are equipped with complimentary bottled water, loose tea and tea bags, Nespresso coffee pods, and a minibar stocked with drinks and snacks available for purchase. Additionally, you’ll find teapots, teacups and saucers, wine and Champagne glasses, plates, and silverware among the room's amenities.

The king-size bed was cozy and at a reasonable height. At 5 feet, 2 inches tall, I sometimes find it challenging when hotels have beds that are so elevated I need to leap to get into them, but that was not the case here.

There were various bedside controls that allowed us to adjust the blinds and curtains or set different mood lighting presets. A Tivoli Audio clock radio sat on the bedside table. While the clock and controls had an old-fashioned appearance, they complemented the room's beige and gray tones, accented by vibrant red and black lacquer furniture.

I particularly appreciated the "room within a room" concept. The dining area, featuring a table and chairs set along the floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the garden, was designed as a distinct inset space, separating it from the rest of the room.

Aside from the white rug in front of the dual vanity, which felt a bit like a tripping hazard, the bathroom combined luxury with functionality. The three mirrors above the vanity were well illuminated, with one cleverly concealing a TV. The deep sinks added a nice touch, and I always appreciate having a lighted makeup mirror.

We took full advantage of the bathtub, and the shower featured excellent water pressure. The separate toilet area was equipped with an upscale Toto Washlet.

For our convenience, Diptyque's Philosykos line of shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, and lotion were provided, along with a bar of Japanese-made soap. A lacquer box contained various essentials, including a hairbrush, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, emery board, shoeshine kit, razor, mouthwash, and makeup remover pads.

Food and drink

To be honest, the dining experiences at this hotel weren't all that impressive to me, but I should mention that I don't eat sushi. It's perhaps not surprising that the emphasis here is on traditional Japanese flavors and presentations, even in venues that offer Western-style menus.

Breakfast at La Locanda

Breakfast in La Locanda's dining room, complimentary for Bonvoy Platinum Elite members, featured a Western option that combined a la carte menu items with buffet-style selections like granola, yogurt, and croissants. A Japanese set menu was also available.

The ingredients were of exceptional quality, featuring free-range eggs sourced from Wabisuke poultry farm, milk and yogurt from Yuge Farm in Kobe, and Amazake Granola, which is produced specifically for the Ritz-Carlton right in Kyoto and is completely gluten-free.

I tend to favor lighter breakfasts, but there are also heartier options available on the menu, such as eggs Benedict with ham and spinach, French toast, or various egg preparations (omelet, scrambled, poached, fried, or boiled) served with local Hiyoshi pork sausage, bacon, hash browns, and steamed vegetables.

Former TPG staff member Zach Honig also dined at this hotel and savored the Japanese breakfast option. Here are some photos that showcase that menu, which is also offered at La Locanda.

The complete menu featured a daily grilled fish selection, a "century" preserved egg, simmered beef with vegetables, a vegetable dish of the day, fresh fruit, miso soup, rice or rice porridge, and Japanese pickles.

Mizuki

The ground-level Mizuki restaurant offers Japanese lunch and dinner, featuring four distinct sections with various menu options: kaiseki (multiple small dishes), sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki (grilled to order).

La Locanda

La Locanda is an exquisite Italian restaurant that features dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. A unique aspect of the dining room is its inclusion of Ebisugawa-tei, a collection of private dining spaces that were formerly the two-story residence of Fujita Denzaburo, the founder of the Fujita Industrial Group. Although the building dates back to 1908, some of its wood is an impressive 700 years old, beautifully preserving the history and charm of Kyoto.

The dining experience is delightful, as guests can view the private dining compartments from the main tables. We gathered with friends for dinner and sampled various dishes, including a seasonal vegetable salad for 3,500 yen ($22), buffalo mozzarella Caprese for 4,500 yen ($29), spaghetti Bolognese for 4,400 yen ($28), and sautéed sea bream with zucchini escabeche for 7,200 yen ($46).

Set menus are offered for both lunch and dinner. A three-course meal, including an amuse-bouche, dessert, and petits fours, costs 4,800 yen ($31). For a four-course experience, prices range from 6,500 to 9,500 yen ($41-$61), including the same extras.

Chef's Table by Katsuhito Inoue

This exclusive experience is available from Wednesday to Friday for just six fortunate guests. It offers a farm-to-table adventure that combines Japanese and Italian culinary traditions. According to the hotel, the menu takes diners "on a culinary journey through Japan's 72 micro-seasons with dishes made from the finest, freshest local ingredients." The meal, served in a private room at La Locanda, costs 35,000 yen ($226) per person. Note: Guests are required to remove their shoes upon entering.

The Lobby Lounge

I'm a fan of afternoon tea, and The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto provides a stunning backdrop for the experience.

Be sure to make reservations if you're eager to enjoy this experience. We didn’t book ahead and couldn’t be accommodated during the available time slots in our schedule. However, I’m including some of Zach Honig’s photos from his visit here a few years back.

The lounge also features a light menu focused on appetizers like truffle fries and caviar. The onion soup gratin was both hearty and delicious, while minestrone was also on offer. A wagyu burger priced at 4,200 yen ($27), various pasta dishes including spaghetti amatriciana and penne beef ragu for 3,000 yen ($19), and sandwiches for 2,800 yen ($18) complete the selection. And of course, you can enjoy a Pierre Hermé pastry with your coffee or tea for dessert.

Pierre Hermé Paris

If The Lobby Lounge is fully booked for afternoon tea, don't worry! Simply head across the lobby to the Pierre Hermé Paris patisserie, where you can find exquisite single-serving pastries, sweets, spreads, macarons, and more.

You'll also discover a delightful selection of sweets perfect for taking home or gifting.

The Bar

Opening at 5 p.m. every day, The Bar features a cozy, club-like ambiance. You can relax in a plush leather armchair beside a granite-topped table or settle at the bar to see the skilled mixologists in action. This space connects to La Locanda and showcases an intriguing curved wall filled with wine bottles.

The menu includes a curated selection of signature cocktails, such as a roasted green tea martini, a smoked old fashioned featuring Michter's rye, cream de cacao, cherry liqueur, angostura bitters, cane sugar, and orange peel, and a basil "smash" highball made with Monkey 47 gin, chamomile, lemon, syrup, and soda — each priced around 2,500 yen ($16).

In addition to the offerings from The Lobby Lounge, the bar menu features extras like a cheese board for 1,700 yen ($11), smoked salmon for 2,000 yen ($13), and spicy fried chicken for 1,500 yen ($10).

A treat for music enthusiasts: A cozy jazz ensemble performs here every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night.

Room service

As our stay coincided with the end of our trip and we were weary of dining out each day, we indulged in a few meals from room service. Each order arrived surprisingly quickly, and the food was excellent, featuring an incredibly fresh fruit plate.

Amenities and service

The service at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, was consistently good, albeit somewhat reserved. The most welcoming staff were located at the bell desk by the hotel's entrance.

When we made a request that couldn't be accommodated (a table in The Lobby Lounge for a light meal), they recommended La Locanda instead. However, we preferred not to go there since we had dinner plans there later with friends. Once the staff understood our situation, they instructed us to proceed to La Locanda, assuring us they would arrange for our orders from the lobby's light menu. This is the kind of exceptional service that keeps me returning to Ritz-Carlton time and again.

Spa

For those who prioritize spa access, the Ritz serves as an excellent base. The spa boasts six treatment rooms, a dedicated spa suite, a calming waterfall, a steam room, a dry sauna, and a heated 20-meter swimming pool.

Notable treatments include the Kyoto Bamboo Ritual, which employs heated bamboo sticks and warm oil to enhance flexibility, and the Ryokucha Serenity Ritual, featuring antioxidant-rich green tea leaves from Uji in its body, foot, and scalp massage. Each of these treatments lasts 90 minutes and is priced at 39,500 yen ($255).

Espa products are utilized along with botanical and marine ingredients. See the full list of spa treatments.

Fitness center

Open around the clock, the fitness center is equipped with high-quality gear typical of a hotel of this standard: treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and strength-training machines.

Ritz Kids

For families familiar with other Ritz-Carlton locations, the Ritz Kids program at Kyoto offers a range of complimentary activities for children. Highlights include an in-hotel treasure hunt where kids follow a map to locate seven Buddha statues and a fun balloon animal event. Parents looking for a night out can leave their kids (ages 4-12) at the Ritz Kids Club from 7:30 to 9 p.m., where guided activities, toys, and games await.

Exploring the area

The Ritz-Carlton isn’t situated in the heart of Kyoto’s bustling attractions. While many sites are a bit further away, here are a few notable places within walking distance from the hotel:

• Nishiki Market (18-minute walk): A fantastic spot to try local delicacies and purchase souvenirs like traditional Japanese kitchen knives.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace (14-minute walk): Be sure to book a tour in advance.
• Gion District (23-minute walk): Your best opportunity to catch a glimpse of geisha in the evenings.
• Samurai Ninja Museum Kyoto (18-minute walk): A family-friendly museum featuring interactive experiences, including star throwing.

For most attractions, you’ll likely need to take a taxi or use public transportation. Here are some of the city's top sites:

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Visit early to avoid crowds, as it’s a popular spot for photos.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine: Famous for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates.
• Kinkaku-ji Zen Buddhist temple: Also known as the Golden Pavilion.
• Nijo Castle: The historic residence of the shogun Tokugawa.

Accessibility

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto has incorporated numerous accessible features throughout its public spaces and guest rooms. The main entrance, meeting areas, hallways to rooms and suites, and the entrance to the fitness center are all designed to be accessible.

You can also reserve guest rooms featuring the following accessible enhancements:

• Accessible vanities
• Height-adjustable hand-held shower wand
• Alarm clocks with enhanced ringer
• Grab rails in bathtubs
• Bathtub seat
• Flashing door knockers
• Lever-style door handles
• Lowered deadbolts on room doors
• Lowered electrical outlets
• Rooms designed for mobility access
• Roll-in showers
• Toilet seats at wheelchair height
• Transfer showers in guest rooms

To make sure your room includes the amenities you require, it’s best to contact the hotel directly and speak with a reservationist when booking your room.

Checking out

The Ritz-Carlton has long been one of my preferred luxury hotel brands, and I appreciated my short visit in Kyoto. However, there are numerous luxury alternatives in the city. I might not choose to stay here again unless I were on a budget and wanted to utilize a free night certificate or points. The location was a bit farther from the center than I would have preferred; nevertheless, the attentive service and stunning public areas contributed to a memorable experience.