Top 15 Cool And Unique Hotels In Kyoto
One of the most unique and magical places on the planet, Kyoto also has hotels as special as the city itself. From futuristic high rises to quirky boutiques, these are the awesome places I loved staying on my many visit to this incredible city…
1. Henn na Hotel Hachijoguchi
I was a big fan of this fun and futuristic place — famously staffed by lifelike robot dinosaurs that checked me in (they’ve even landed the hotel in the Guinness World Records!) and combining high-tech novelty with a playful vibe and minimalist and modern decor – it felt like being in a sci-fi movie!
My compact but modern room featured a smart mirror which displayed weather updates, voice-activated lighting, automated curtains, and a relaxing foot massager. I really appreciated the facial recognition room access and the in-room robot assistant that responded to my voice and offered me sightseeing tips!
I explored the nearby Hachijoguchi and iconic Kyoto Tower with my bicycle rental, grabbed a matcha KitKat from the fun vending machine, enjoyed the buffet breakfast (especially the light vegetable okonomiyaki), and relaxed in the café with a smooth Uji matcha latte. The staff told me Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul have their own versions too!
My personal highlights…
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As well as the robots, I loved the fun and high-tech self-check-in system, which was surprisingly easy to navigate!
Address: 1-1 Hachijo-higashi, Higashi-kujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8044
2. BnA Alter Museum
I thought this place was an Instagrammer’s dream — a 10-storey vertical art gallery with 31 unique rooms, each designed by a contemporary Japanese artist with striking murals in vivid colors. The vibe was creative and cool, with eclectic decor that turned every corner into a whimsical masterpiece!
I adored my fun, manga-themed room (the staff told me others ranged from nature to dinosaurs!) — alongside the funky art murals, it was packed with high-tech touches like a smart mirror, voice-controlled lighting, and a charismatic in-room robot assistant that shared sightseeing tips!
I wound down with a Yuzu Gin Fizz in the stylish bar and lounge, a creative hub for Shimogyo Ward’s buzzing art and music scene, then browsed the shop filled with handmade ceramic mugs and quirky art books — and with its rotating exhibitions by contemporary Japanese artists, the whole place felt like a living gallery!
My personal highlights…
Address: 1-4-31, Maruyamacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8004
3. Moxy Kyoto Nijō
To me, this was the definition of urban cool! Set in Kyoto’s modern western side near Nijō Castle, it blended Japanese influence with contemporary flair through neon accents, arty murals, and quirky decor like vintage suitcases and pink flamingo art. The vibe was upbeat and social — a creative hub buzzing with energy, cocktails, and late-night laughs!
My guest room had a funky but restful vibe with wooden floors, a comfy bed, clever foldable furniture, an air purifier and playful details like a retro rotary phone and pink flamingo wall art. The creative ‘Plug and Meet’ areas with ergonomic seating, writable walls, and a 56-inch TV was a stand-out feature!
I chatted to guests with a Matcha Mojito in the the trendy lobby bar while the resident DJ spun upbeat lo-fi tunes and I also enjoyed the hearty American-style buffet, the modern fitness center and the zen-like rooftop yoga space!
My highlights…
Address: Nijo-cho 263, Nakagyo Ward
4. Ace Hotel
I thought this was the ultimate hipster stay! Ace Hotel Kyoto combined Japanese craftsmanship with creative, modern design in a beautifully restored Kengo Kuma–designed building. With handcrafted wood furniture, George Nakashima rugs bold art, and vintage record players, it felt like a cozy cultural hub where locals and travelers mingled over art, music, and great coffee!
In my guest room I found featuring cedar accents, paper lanterns, and a vintage record player with Kyoto-themed vinyls. I particularly liked the locally made ceramics, organic linens, and zen-inducing bathroom with handmade tiles and botanical toiletries — it was full of both comfort and personality!
I started my days exploring the downtown area on one of the hotel’s bikes and ended my nights at Piopiko Bar with a Sakura Negroni and Kyoto’s cool crowd. I also dined at all three restaurants — the Michelin-starred Mr. Maurice’s Italian, the chic Piopiko Bar & Lounge, and the all-day spot with garden views. It wasn’t the cheapest stay, but I thought the hip factor made it worth it!
- To book, check prices or availability for Ace Hotel
My highlights…
Address: 12, Akitsuki-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8155
5. Mogana
This place was seriously striking — with its Insta-worthy minimalist design, dramatic glass corridors, and art-gallery atmosphere, it felt like sleeping inside a contemporary masterpiece. I discovered polished concrete, smoked glass walls, black steel accents and a sophisticated vibe all just short walk from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace!
My spacious room featured smooth concrete walls, minimalist wooden furnishings, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass wall opening onto a private courtyard. I loved the deep hinoki-wood soaking tub and Nespresso coffee machine.
I downed a Plum Blossom Highball in the sleek bar, blissed out in the tranquil meditation room that doubled as a modern art gallery, gazed at art by Kyoto-based artist Hiroshi Senj and dined on exceptional tempura donburi in the gourmet Japanese restaurant. I would just say though this place gets booked up quickly so you’ll need to book well in advance!
My favorite highlights..
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My in-room Kyoto Harmony Massage which mixed Eastern and Western relaxation techniques and used aromatic yuzu, camellia, and sandalwood oils!
Address: 450 Kakimotocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8173, Japan
6. Hotel Tavinos
This whimsical 3-star stay was an awesome place to escape the ordinary! With cute manga-inspired decor, speech-bubble signs, and colors everwhere, it felt like stepping into a living comic book — it was fun, youthful, and full of creative charm!
My compact but fun standard guest room featured a futon style bed adorned with an anime spread, compact smart storage, and a high-tech tablet for room controls, USB ports, an air purifier, cozy pyjamas and eye-catching comic-style artwork that made even the walls (and even the carpet!) feel part of the story!
I loved the easy self-check-in with its friendly robot guide and relaxing in the cozy lounge with a cup of sencha green tea while planning my Kyoto adventures. Breakfast was simple but included sweet anpan pastries and Kyoto-style drip coffee and I appreciated the bicycle rentals, helpful multilingual staff and the lively and central Shimogyo Ward location.
My favorite highlights…
Address: 681-3, Higashi Shiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
7. Granbell Hotel
This elegant hidden gem showcased sleek modern design with authentic Japanese touches like tatami-inspired details and a tranquil communal onsen. The dark wood, soft washi lighting, and handcrafted textiles created a zen-like, refined vibe that felt like a modern ryokan retreat in the city’s heart.
My soundproofed guest room was simple but tasteful with dark walnut hardwood floors, ambient lighting, a tatami mat, shoji screen, a comfy white duvet covered bed, deep soaking tub, kimono-patterned headboard, and a flat-screen TV, though storage and space was limited.
I unwound with a Kyoto Sour in the chic lounge bar and peaceful indoor garden, dined on miso-glazed eggplant in the intimate restaurant and relaxed in the sleek basement onsen surrounded by soft lighting all in a historic Gion district location.
My highlights…
- I loved the attention to detail in the aesthetics – for example, we were told by the barman that the onsite bar had 100-year-old gold-leafed sake racks!
Address: 83 Shijo-dori Yamato Oji Nishiiru, Nishinocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0000
8. Hotel Imagine
Hotel Imagine Kyoto was a true hidden gem — a really trendy four-star stay! It had a sleek black-box exterior I stepped inside to experience a striking – and Insta-worthy – space filled with lashings of light, wood, and art – it felt calm and homely, like staying in a serene Kyoto apartment with boutique comforts.
My spacious apartment-style room came with both traditional and modern design with tatami floors, shoji panels, and pale wood accents. It featured a large futon bed, a handy microwave and fridge, a bathtub complete with Shiseido toiletries, an air purifier and a cozy window nook where I loved sipping tea while watching trains glide past Kyoto Station!
There was no on-site restaurant but I appreciated rooftop terrace with its awesome city views, the cozy lounge, and the self-serve coffee bar with rich Kyoto roast. The shared kitchen was handy (I whipped up a shiitake mushroom stir-fry), and the friendly staff gave me local tips for day trips and exploring the surrounding modern Minami Ward location.
My personal highlights..
Address: 12-4 Yanaginobecho, Nakagyo Ward, 604-8362
9. node hotel
I thought Node Hotel Kyoto was incredibly cool — like staying in a contemporary art gallery filled with curated Japanese and international works. With an industrial-chic design which featured charcoal walls, abstract oil paintings monochrome photography and affable staff dressed all in black, it all felt artistic, intimate, and effortlessly stylish in a trendy Shijo Nishinotoin district location!
My allergy-free guest spacious room had a dramatic, gallery-like feel with polished concrete walls, slate-colored velvet furniture, a low platform bed, and funky art above the bed. Dark-stained hardwood floors, bespoke lighting, and modern touches like air conditioning and a handy fridge completed the stylish setup.
The first floor was a lively social hub serving seasonal Western-Asian dishes, great coffee, and inventive cocktails. I enjoyed my roasted vegetable donburi bowl paired with a smooth Kyoto blend pour-over, then later unwound in the art-filled lounge with a matcha martini while chatting with fellow design lovers — just note there’s no onsite parking!
- To book, check prices or availability for node hotel
My highlights…
Address: 12-4 Yanaginobecho, Nakagyo Ward, 604-8362
10. REF Hachijoguchi
I thought REF Kyoto Hachijoguchi was a stylish, mid-range 4-star stay impressively combining modern design with Kyoto’s warmth. Its industrial-chic décor featured natural wood, soft lighting, and Japanese touches like noren curtains and handcrafted ceramics. The vibe was relaxed and subtly luxurious — a peaceful urban hideaway in the convenient Minami Ward near Kyoto Station!
The welcoming façade opened into a chic space of pale walls and natural wood accents, and my compact room featured polished oak floors, soundproofing, a flat-screen TV, air purifier, and even a hot tub. I loved the sleek window bench with soft lighting — the perfect spot for morning coffee — and the thoughtful extras like Blu-ray players and facial massagers.
Each morning, I enjoyed fresh veggie wraps with tofu, avocado, and sesame spinach, and in the evening, I relaxed in the sleek lounge bar with a refreshing Yuzu Mojito made with Kyoto rum and mint!
My highlights…
Address: 17-1 Higashishiokoji Nishihirakucho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003
11. Good Nature Hotel
I was instantly wowed by Good Nature Hotel Kyoto — a stylish eco-luxury stay that wonderfully mixed Japanese artistry with sustainability, featuring lush vertical gardens, bamboo accents, and serene natural wood interiors. The vibe was calm and rejuvenating, like a green sanctuary in the city, with organic minimalist decor of earthy tones, potted greenery, and soft natural light.
My standard guest room featured pale oak floors, a cloud-soft bed topped with breathable linen sheets and oversized pillows, a Nespresso machine, a wellness air purifier, cozy slippers and a private balcony adorned with leafy plants — I especially loved the small living plant wall that added a photogenic splash of greenery and made the space feel like a mini indoor garden retreat.
I loved the seven dining options, from casual bites to Michelin-starred cuisine — after a soothing matcha body scrub at the spa, I browsed the organic market and savored a miso-glazed eggplant steak with biodynamic Pinot Noir at their award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of the trendy Kawaramachi district.
My favorite highlights…
Address: Japan, 〒600-8022 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Inaricho, 2丁目318番6
12. Hotel Anteroom
I thought Hotel Anteroom was an awesome place to escape the ordinary! Centrally located just a 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, this vibrant hub of creativity welcomed me with a blend of comfort and artistic flair!
There were beautiful art-adorned walls, an onsite art gallery (which showcased art from local artists) and a serene courtyard garden. My superior double guest room had a cozy vibe with wooden floors, a large comfy bed, a colorful arty mural and trendy but functional furnishings. There was also air con, flat-screen TV, free WiFi, a fridge and air purifier and a bathroom complete with a soaking bath and bidet.
I enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast (both Asian style and English options), there was a zen-like courtyard garden and a chic onsite bar!
My highlights…
- I loved the cute Japanese tea set in my guest room sitting area which also came with a range of teas both Asian and English!
- The bar was well stocked and boasted a collection of over 150 different whiskies!
Address: 7 Aketacho, Higashi-Kujo, Minami-Ku, Kyoto, 601-8044
13. Candeo Hotels Karasuma Rokkaku
This tucked-away 4-star gem, set in a renovated machiya townhouse, had both modern comfort and Kyoto tradition. Inside, dark wooden beams, tatami mats, and washi lighting created a serene, elegant retreat, while the rooftop onsen with skyline views was a stand-out! It was a tranquil, polished, and rejuvenating place — a wonderful urban retreat!
My guest room featured sleek wooden furnishings, soft neutral tones, a plush bed, and floor-to-ceiling windows that filled the space with natural light. I loved the illuminated shoji-style panel behind the bed, which gave the room a warm, cinematic glow, and the rainfall shower with Shiseido toiletries was a lovely touch.
I soaked in the rooftop onsen under the open sky, chilled out in the lounge with a cup of aromatic jasmine tea as the city lights shimmered below. Later, I spent a quiet moment in the cozy library, curled up with a copy of The Little Book of Kyoto by Ben Simmons and then stepped out into its buzzy central location!
My favorite highlights…
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The central location in Nakagyo Ward – I was within walking distance Gion the city’s famous geisha district as well as traditional temples, Nishiki market, gorgeous parks and Kyoto station!
Address: 149 Honeyacho, Rokkaku-dori Karasuma Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 604-8164
14. The Thousand
This Instagram-worthy luxury hotel offered both striking modern architecture and Japanese minimalism. I loved the sleek décor which featured pale wood, soft washi lighting, stone textures, and clean architectural lines and the futuristic touch of controlling everything from lighting to curtains by tablet in a dynamic Shimogyo Ward District location.
My spacious guest room had pale wood paneling, a luxuriously soft bed with silky high-thread-count sheets, city views, and smart tech like an iPad for lighting and curtains, and a soaking tub complete with THANN botanical toiletries. I loved the sleek hidden lighting strips that glowed softly from beneath the bed and walls — they gave the room a photogenic, almost futuristic ambiance at night!
I loved relaxing with a yuzu aromatherapy massage, enjoying a Japanese breakfast with miso-glazed tofu, sipping Junmai Daiginjo sake in the elegant lounge, and my evenings were spent with a kaiseki dinner of vegetable tempura and matsutake mushroom soup — though it’s such a popular spot I found availability was limited!
My personal highlights…
Address: Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8395
15. ROOT2
From the moment I stepped inside, The ROOT2 Hotel felt like a breath of fresh air — part boutique hotel, part art space, and part local hangout, with quirky touches like brass accents, faux marble, and teal velvet. I loved its creative social vibe, though I have to admit the eclectic design might not be for everyone.
My room featured smooth concrete walls, a low futon-style bed with soft linen bedding, a small kitchenette with handcrafted mugs, and a photogenic wooden window bench framed by floor-to-ceiling glass that caught the soft Kyoto light perfectly — my favorite spot for morning wake up drink!
I chatted with local artists over a Kurasu Coffee cold brew in thecreative lounge café, browsed the curated shop of handmade ceramics, and started my mornings with a choice of Asian or American breakfast before ending the day with freshly made avocado and yuba (tofu skin) sushi at the on-site izakaya!
My highlights…
Address: 368-2 Kageyama-cho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8461
