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 hotel exceeded my expectations! The room was larger than average and exceptionally clean, with a separate shower and bathtub. The Refa showerhead and hairdryer were a nice touch and worked great. The room had modern amenities, and the trash bins were emptied promptly. The hotel's location is super convenient. There are many designer shops and delicious restaurants nearby, and it's just a short walk to Nishiki Market. Karasuma Oike Station is also right next door, offering direct access to Shijo and Kyoto Station. I was really satisfied with my stay; it offers excellent value for money! I highly recommend the wagyu BBQ restaurant next to the hotel (Wagyu Yakiniku Horumon Sankichi). The owner and staff were very friendly, the wagyu quality was superb, and the set menus were great value, plus you can enjoy all-you-can-drink!

Everything is perfect except the so-called wagyu dinner at the hotel restaurant. While the photo of the menu presents a nice wagyu and you can pre-order as many times as you can within 90 minutes, the beef was served in a very disgusting appearance. It is tough and dark yet it is not done inside. It is definitely not worthy of 7890 yens pax. It was electric grill but not charcoal grill. Anyway, the services provided the waiter, Alan, is brilliant. He was sincere and friendly. The housekeeper, Ms Aina Sao was also deserve my praise. She works with a nice and sincere manner and always put a smile on her face. Also, there are free wine, snacks and beer after 3 pm. You could also grind coffee beans and make yourself a cup of nice coffee. The public bath is not a real onsen. There should be no natural minerals in the water but a slight smell of chlorine. All in all, Hotel Potel is definitely on my list when I visit Kyoto next time.

Anyone visiting Kyoto should be familiar with this hotel because it's located right in the heart of the shopping district, which is incredibly convenient. The location is excellent; you step right out to Takashimaya, and there's even a direct connection from the hotel's third floor! The hotel also boasts a cafe, a supermarket, and a gym... perfect for young travelers! The rooms are spacious, the bedding is comfortable, and the bathroom is also very roomy.

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.

The room was very quiet, and the blackout curtains worked perfectly. The staff were super friendly and helpful; they even offered me an umbrella when it rained without asking for my room number, which was a lovely gesture and reminded me of the grand service of yesteryear. It's an easy walk to the bustling downtown area. Right next to the hotel is Foguang Temple, which has two huge ginkgo trees and is surprisingly peaceful with hardly any tourists.

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.

The concierge team is really resourceful and helpful when we asked about luggage delivery service, thumbs up for their service. Just love everything about the hotel, excellent hospitality, great location, beautiful design, spacious room, comfortable bed and etc. Breakfast with huge selection including some Thai dishes, crispy bacons ever, just amazing. It was really great value for the money, highly recommended!

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.