The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

The hotel was amazing, but the people is what it made it a memorable experience. Since the entrance, Shoko and Saito greeted us with a warm welcome. They remembered our names which made it very special. A special thank you must go to Pablo, the supervisor, whose presence felt like the heartbeat of the guest experience. His attention to detail, proactive care, and genuine desire to ensure every moment was perfect did not go unnoticed. He is a true leader who empowers his incredible team. As of breakfast, we were delighted by the excellent service of Caroline and Artashes. Their knowledge, impeccable timing, and personalized recommendations made every meal an event. Their warmth and professionalism are a credit to the hotel. Finally, Nakamura in the lobby lounge provided moments of perfect tranquility, anticipating needs with a quiet efficiency that felt almost intuitive. 10/10 experience!

While the Ritz-Carlton brand is globally synonymous with attention to detail, the Kyoto property has elevated this to an entirely new dimension. This is not just an elegant hotel; it is a masterclass in anticipatory service. What truly sets this 5-star experience apart are the thoughtful touches that solve problems before you even realize you have them. For example, the hotel provides curated taxi cards for the city's famous attractions with estimated driving times, distances, a clear mini-map, and the hotel's address in Japanese for a seamless return. This level of care manifests in the facilities as well. In the spa, I was impressed to find that each locker is stocked with a high-quality, durable plastic bag specifically for wet swimwear—a small but significant detail often missed even at other top-tier luxury hotels. The arrival experience was equally flawless. From the moment I stepped out of my car, the front desk team greeted me by name, provided a thoughtful tour of the stunning property, and conducted a private in-room check-in. They also recommended the traditional Japanese breakfast and made a reservation for us during check in. I got a river-view grand deluxe room that was quiet, spacious, with open view of the kamogawa river. I can only imagine how beautiful the view would be if I visited during fall. Anticipating a guest's needs and creating a bespoke welcome are the hallmarks of true luxury, and this property has perfected both. Simply put, this was the finest Ritz-Carlton stay I have ever had. If you value service over mere hardware, this is the definitive choice in Kyoto. Well-deserved three Michelin keys!

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto surpassed even our highest standards, delivering a true world-class stay. We are a Marriott platinum elite member for this 1 night stay we got upgraded to room with a river view, which also came with a complimentary breakfast. Exceptional Hospitality (Omotenashi): From the moment of arrival in our rental car at the entrance to the final checkout, the service was flawless. The reception and valet staff embodied true Japanese hospitality with sincere smiles and a level of professionalism that felt both warm and deeply authentic. Seamless Arrival Experience: The transition from the driveway to the lobby was effortless. The reception team handled luggage transfers immediately, and the personalized in-room check-in allowed for a relaxing start to the stay. Attentive Service & Orientation: The staff member who conducted the room orientation was exceptionally thorough, taking the time to explain every amenity and hotel service to ensure a comfortable and well-informed stay. Refined Atmosphere and Room layout: The hotel’s decor and surrounding grounds are the definition of elegance. The lobbies and public spaces provide a sophisticated, tranquil atmosphere that perfectly complements the beauty of Kyoto. The room offered picturesque and tranquil views of the river, providing a serene backdrop for the stay, with a tiny bonzai tree. The room's layout was highly optimized for space and function, making it easy to navigate and live in. The surroundings were exceptionally quiet, ensuring a restful and uninterrupted experience. Thoughtful Local Touches: The room was stocked with charming, high-quality Japanese goodies, fruit plate, including a room cardholder made of silk, soaps and postcards that highlighted Kyoto’s local culture. These curated details added a unique and memorable touch to the experience. Impeccable Housekeeping: The standard of cleanliness was world-class. The room was kept spotless throughout the stay, reflecting a high level of attention to detail and care by the housekeeping team. Exquisite Dining: Both the multi-course Kaiseki dinner at Kaiseki Mizuki and the Japanese breakfast bento option we selected that came with a buffet pastry and juice/coffee bar were highlights of the trip. The presentation was artistic, the ingredients were of the highest quality, although for dinner it could use more creative elements for the price ¥22,000+ per person (a comparison to the 20+ Kaiseki experiences at the onsen ryokans we have had previously) and the restaurant service at both restaurants was consistently superb. One note about Spa facilities - For those accustomed to classic Japanese hot springs, while this is common for international hotel spas to require wearing swimsuits, it differs from the traditional Japanese onsen experience which we prefer. Therefore, we only used the bath in the room, which was equally enjoyable. Another note, yukata were provided in the room but not permitted at the dining areas, which we accustomed to wear in the onsen ryokans. It would have been more comfortable wearing yukatas at dinner and breakfast. Also, pajamas were not provided in the room but were available upon request. These are the tiny details that would have enhanced our stay but they are minor. Overall, we enjoyed very much of this stay and we would love to return to Ritz-Carlton Kyoto again soon hopefully!

We stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto and the service was outstanding from start to finish. The hotel is calm and beautiful, and the location is perfect for Gion. You are close to everything, but once you step inside it feels quiet and removed from the crowds. What impressed me most was the consistency. Staff remembered our names and greeted us warmly every time. It did not feel scripted. It felt like the team actually cared and paid attention. Concierge and front desk were a huge help with restaurant reservations, timing, and car service. They made the logistics easy, which matters a lot in a city like Kyoto. We did run into an unfortunate issue tied to our reservation at Gion Nishikawa, and Fujita handled it exceptionally well. He listened, took ownership, and followed through quickly and professionally. That support changed the tone of the situation completely. We also had a great spa experience. Very welcoming and genuinely relaxing. The send off was a highlight. We returned to our room to a bottle of sake and handwritten notes from the concierge A team, Asuna, Tepperi, Nama, and Kanko. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare, and we appreciated it. I would absolutely stay here again and would recommend it without hesitation.

I have stayed at 5 ritz carltons so far, and for a long time, ritz maldives was the top spot for me. I mean, who can challenge their heavenly backdrop and the amazing suites bestowed upon my family during our stay? Well, ritz kyoto certainly did with not just their facinating facility, but much more importantly, their gracious ladies and gentlemen. Prior to arriving, the concierge team worked tirelessly booking us a few michelin starred restaurants, and gave us many great recommendations. I knew this hotel itself is quite special, and booked an onsite art tour and a guided bike tour around gion as some of the complimentary activities Ritz Kyoto offer. Starting at the check in, I loved the sit down, much more personal and relaxed setting. Marin brought me some tea and snacks to start the check in process, then walked me up and introduced me to an upgraded kamogawa view room. Her professionalism, along with her warmth and friendliness, really showcased the soft touch of ritz carlton kyoto. The room is a treat in itself. A very large room by Japanese standard, it featured a full stone bathtub and beautiful washroom, of course accompanied by the highest end toto wash washlet. The sencha served in the room, along with a few different tea snacks, enabled me to sit by the window to unwind from a long shinkansen ride from shigoku earlier that day, while absorbing the serene sense of the kamogawa. Our bike tour started early in the mornign at 6:30. Our host is Gabriel from the Phillipines whom has a tremendous passion for Japan. His knowledge of both the bike and art tours were impeccable. His attentiveness during our bike tour, where he automatically stops for us anticipating good photo spots, and moved my bike for me just to make sure it was convient for me, nonetheless demonstrated ritz carlton's legendary hospitality. I felt he exhibited Japanese's amazing attentiveness to service, and truly appreciated his attention to us as guests. Finally, the breakfast is very well prepared at this Ritz-Carlton. It may not have the biggest number of dishes selection, but between the western and Japanese offerings their quality and taste certainly is top notch. I very much enjoyed their signature eggs benedict which featured a thick slice, but not overly fatty bacon.