Aman Kyoto
Hotel · Kyoto-shi
1 Okitayama Washimine-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8458, Japan
Highlights
Serene forest retreat with natural hot springs, spa & chic dining
Serene forest retreat with natural hot springs, spa & chic dining
"Set across 80 acres of serene forest in the foothills of Mount Daimonji, the 26 modern suites are sited along a shaded riverbed amid maples, cedars, and blue oaks—ideal for forest-bathing. Much of the property uses local timber: cypress soaking tubs, heated stone bathroom floors, and bamboo dividers combine with clean, minimalist lines and varied textures to create a restorative, meditative atmosphere." - Yukari Sakamoto, Adam H. Graham
"A tranquil garden setting offering Zen meditation practices, an evening of geisha performance, and a traditional tea ceremony." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Set on 80 acres of serene forest in the foothills of Mount Daimonji and minutes from Kyoto’s famous Kinkaku-ji, this sanctuary’s 26 modern suites sit across an old river bed framed by native maples, cedars, and blue oaks—an ideal setting for forest-bathing. Much of the property was built with local timber and natural materials, so rooms feature details like cypress soaking tubs, heated stone bathroom floors, and bamboo dividers whose minimalist lines and varied textures create a restorative atmosphere." - Jennifer Flowers
"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
"As fresh as the first cherry blossom, Aman Kyoto feels as if it could have existed for centuries, which sets it apart among the flurry of new hotel openings in the city. This delightfully out-of-time quality has much to do with its setting: 80 serene acres of woodland, dense with maples, crosshatched by stone paths and fast-flowing streams. It’s a city hotel enfolded in nature. The aura also comes from the late architect Kerry Hill’s knack for merging traditional and contemporary. Containing just 28 bedrooms, Aman Kyoto’s six pavilions have latticed walls and pitched roofs that echo the forms of machiya houses; every bathroom has its own wooden ofuro tub. Another factor in Aman Kyoto’s curious magic is its slow genesis. Between its conception and completion, Vladislav Doronin acquired Aman, owner Adrian Zecha stepped down, and Hill passed away. Thus, Aman Kyoto bridges old Aman and new Aman, embodying all that has made the brand so exciting and influential. —Steve King" - Danielle Demetriou
