Image courtesy of Dusit Thani Kyoto
Kyoto is a city of layers—ancient temples and machiya townhouses sit alongside contemporary galleries, boutique hotels, and some of Japan’s best dining. Days move between quiet gardens, busy markets, and riverside walks, and each neighborhood offers its own rhythm, from the craft studios of Higashiyama to the lively backstreets of Gion.
For travelers looking to stay comfortably without splurging on a ryokan or ultra-luxury escape, Kyoto has a growing list of beautifully designed hotels at approachable price points. Here are my top Kyoto stays under $500 a night (with rates fluctuating around seasons and festivals).
Dusit Thani Kyoto
Image courtesy of Dusit Thani Kyoto
A short walk from Kyoto Station, Dusit Thani brings Thai warmth to Japan’s most traditional city. Opened in 2023, the hotel feels peaceful and polished, with a Japan-meets-Thailand design language—hinoki details, carved wood, and soft indigo accents—wrapped around a central garden courtyard. Rooms are spacious for Kyoto, especially those on the ground floor with private garden views and a sunken tub that channels a mini onsen moment. Dining is a standout: Ayatana serves contemporary Thai cuisine from the Bo.lan team, while Kōyō highlights Kyoto’s micro-seasons. Downstairs, the Devarana Wellness floor offers excellent Thai massage alongside a pool and gym. Cultural activities—tea ceremonies, crafts, even a maiko workshop—add depth without leaving the hotel.
Fora Reserve perks include as $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Image courtesy of Hyatt Regency Kyoto
In Higashiyama, where temples and townhouses set the tone, Hyatt Regency Kyoto delivers a refined stay without feeling stuffy. Bamboo screens soften the entrance, natural light fills the lobby, and the superstar Japanese firm Super Potato’s design brings together smooth woods, stone, and quiet geometric lines. Rooms are comfortable and practical, with deep tubs and small details—like kimono-silk panels—that reference Kyoto’s craft heritage. Touzan serves excellent Japanese cuisine, while the teppanyaki counter and café cover the more casual end. A good spa, gym, and reliable service round things out. Being minutes from Kyoto Station and next to Sanjusangendo means you can easily move between the city’s key sights while still returning to a calm, well-priced base.
Fora’s Hyatt Privé perks include a $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Image courtesy of Ace Hotel Kyoto
Ace’s first Asian outpost lands in a 1926 brick landmark redesigned by Kengo Kuma (one of Japan’s most influential contemporary architects), with LA-based Commune Design shaping the eclectic interiors. The result is trademark Ace energy filtered through Kyoto craft: hand-hammered copper at the front desk, oversized ceramics, gingko-print textiles, washi lanterns, and rooms layered with turntables, Pendleton blankets, and Japanese-made furniture. Most of the 213 rooms sit in the new building, while a handful in the original telephone exchange come with tall ceilings and big windows. The hotel is as much a social hub as a place to sleep—Japan’s first Stumptown Coffee anchors the lobby, and the restaurant lineup spans Italian comfort food, Kyoto-inflected California cooking, and a taco bar by LA chef Wes Avila. Direct subway access makes exploring easy.
Dhawa Yura Kyoto
Image courtesy of Dhawa Yara Kyoto
Just across Sanjo Bridge, Dhawa Yura Kyoto delivers a boutique feel in one of the city’s most convenient pockets—steps from Pontocho, Gion, and two major train lines. The design leans into contemporary Japanese craft, with nishijin-ori textiles, soft woods, and a striking mini bamboo garden at the hotel’s center. Rooms are compact but comfortable, with tatami seating nooks, large TVs, and comfortable beds. Grill 54th handles breakfast and casual dinners, while the upstairs bar mixes Kyoto-influenced cocktails with quiet views over the neighborhood. There’s also a small gym and 8lements Spa for massages after long sightseeing days.
Fora’s Accor by Preferred partner perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Blossom Kyoto
Image courtesy of The Blossom Kyoto
Just south of downtown and steps from Gojo Station, The Blossom Kyoto gives you quick access to Kyoto Station, Higashiyama and the city’s most popular walking routes. Rooms are noticeably spacious for Kyoto, with cloud-soft beds, smart storage, and layouts that work well for couples or families, including quad setups and split bathing areas. A calm lounge stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks becomes an easy pause between outings, while the public bath downstairs is a welcome reset after long walking days. Practical perks—a solid gym, coin laundry and helpful staff who handle everything from luggage forwarding to local bookings—make stays feel effortless.
Splurgeworthy: Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
Image courtesy of Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
If you’re saving one splurge for Kyoto, make it Hotel The Mitsui. Set across from Nijo-jo Castle on the former Mitsui family estate, the experience starts at a 300-year-old gate and unfolds into a serene world of gardens, soft light, and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship. Rooms feel quietly luxurious, with pale woods, deep stone bathtubs, silk headboard panels, and views of either the central garden or the castle walls. The thermal onsen, fed by the property’s own natural hot spring, is a standout, as are the Kyoto-inspired spa treatments. Dining is equally refined: Toki’s French-Kyoto tasting menus and Forni’s garden-facing Italian dishes make staying in as appealing as going out.
Fora’s Marriott STARS partner perks include a $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.