"Serene. Timeless. Escapist. And deliciously crowd-free. Nature and its subtlest micro-shifts are the main protagonists at Aman Kyoto. At its heart lies an otherworldly “secret garden” that wavers between wild and cultured, the hotel is set against tumbling mountainside forests in a quiet northeastern corner of the ancient capital. Mindfulness is nonnegotiable while navigating the moss-covered stone pathways or relaxing within the peaceful minimalism of the 24 suites. Housed in clean-lined black timber pavilions designed by Kerry Hill, the accommodations feature tatami floors, hinoki bathtubs, ceramic abstractions, and haiku-inspiring views through walls of windows. Luxury lies in the property’s simplicity: Instead of a swimming pool, picture a small boulder-strewn onsen alongside spa treatments imbued with a sense of the sacred and the intuitive omotenashi warmth of the staff. Food is treated with no less reverence, from meticulous kaiseki craftsmanship at Taka-an to contemporary land-to-table cuisine in the Living Pavilion. All in all? The perfect place to recover from Kyoto temple fatigue—and reconnect with the present moment. From $2,675. —Danielle Demetriou" - CNT Editors
