Best Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Kyoto, Japan (Luxury, Upscale, & Budget)

Kyoto is the ancient and culture capital of Japan that’s filled with many temples, shrines, and beautiful gardens. For chain hotels, Marriott have many options in Kyoto for some of the finest luxury stays to budget-friendly ones. I will break down the hotel options in 3 different categories: luxury, upscale, and budget.

Keep in mind that Marriott still assign award categories to their hotels on the backend, which will help you plan for points redemption, and clarify the hotel categories listed below.

For Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Tokyo, please read here.

Luxury Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Kyoto

If you’re looking for a high-end experience in Kyoto using your points, then Marriott has 3 options worth considering. Their pricing in points are very similar to one another, so it’ll be up to your preference to pick which one where you’d like to stay at.

1. HOTEL THE MITSUI, KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa

Hotel the Mitsui, Kyoto is the newest luxury addition in Japan’s ancient capital, both the hard and soft products are very impressive. A very unique amenity of the hotel is its underground Thermal Spring Spa which is both tranquil and stunning. It’s positioned just by the Nijo Castle, but it is in a quieter part of Kyoto.

As it’s a Luxury Collection properties, you may try requesting room upgrades with Suite Night Awards, and you’re also eligible for free breakfast if you’re Platinum Elite or higher.

• Hotel Award Category: 9B
• Points redemption: 88,000-126,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$500-1000+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 85k FNC, plus topups
• Amex FHR/Marriott STARS? Yes

This hotel may even offer PointSavers rate which would then lower the points required to book this hotel! The lowest I’ve seen was 70,400 points per night.

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Claimed as one of the best Ritz-Carltons in the world, this elegant hotel is positioned in the more lively Higashiyama Ward by the Kamo River.You may even book certain activities like complimentary tours of Kyoto on bikes.

This is also one of the few Ritz-Carltons that give free breakfast to their elites (Platinum Elite or higher), with the other being the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, but only for Titanium and Ambassador Elite.

• Hotel Award Category: 9B
• Points redemption: 88,000-126,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$500-1000+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 85k FNC, plus topups
• Amex FHR/Marriott STARS? Yes

Unlike Hotel the Mitsui, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto doesn’t appear to offer PointSavers rate, which means that the Mitsui may offer better value for points redemption. However, both hotels’ pricing are quite similar normally. From that point, it’s up to your preferences.

Regardless, I would love to stay here one day to compare my stay at the Mitsui since I hear they are pretty equal in many regards, with the Ritz Carlton having a marginally better service as the more established hotel.

Mizuki, the property’s main restaurant, is awarded one Michelin star for its tempura.

3. Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Compared to the Mitsui and Ritz Carlton, the Suiran is not talked about as much as it’s located off the Kyoto center in the more historical Arashiyama district near the famous bamboo grove. One strong feature of the Suiran is that the rooms come with open-air private onsen baths.

I would hesitate on recommending the Suiran for first-time Kyoto visitors, but for those who are already familiar with the city, and are looking for a quieter experience closer to the nature, then the Suiran may be their cup of tea.

• Hotel Award Category: 9B
• Points redemption: 80,000-126,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$500-1000+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 85k FNC, plus topups
• Amex FHR/Marriott STARS? Yes

Upscale Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Kyoto

If you’re looking for a more balanced approach to cost and luxury, then there are 2 Marriott hotels to consider. Depending on the date you’re booking, it might be better to book with cash instead of points, unless you have some Free Night Certificates to burn.

1. The Westin Miyako Kyoto

The Westin is located at the outskirts of Higashiyama. It comes with a semi-open natural hot spring in its Spa Kacho facility. Platinum Elite or higher members can also gain access to the Executive Lounge which other Kyoto hotels under Marriott don’t offer.

• Hotel Award Category: 6
• Points redemption: 40,000-76,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$200-500+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 35-50k FNC’s, plus topups

2. Genji Kyoto, a Design Hotel

A new hotel facing the Kamo River in the Shimogo Ward just like the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto. The hotel comes with a rooftop terrace that overlooks the river and Higashiyama Mountains that certainly look amazing to have some drinks and socialize in.

• Hotel Award Category: 6
• Points redemption: 40,000-76,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$200-$500+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 35-50k FNC’s, plus topups

Budget Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Kyoto

If you’re looking for cheaper stays but are still interested in Marriott’s program, then there are 2 Marriott options to consider. These may offer better value in cash rather than points, however. But, the cash price are more tolerable to many compared to the upscale options.

1. The Chapter Kyoto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

This hotel was also known as Hiyori Chapter Kyoto. As it’s a part of the Tribute Portfolio, it may blend in with the upscale category, but it tends to offer cheaper prices compared to the Westin and Genji. This can be a good option if you’re willing to pay more than a Moxy, but not up to the upscale hotels.

• Hotel Award Category: 6
• Points redemption: 40,000-76,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$100-200+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 35-50k FNC’s, plus topups

2. Moxy Kyoto Nijo

The Moxy is the cheapest Marriott option in Kyoto. The location is very close to the JR Nijo Station which can then allow you to travel to other cities by connecting to JR Kyoto Station with ease. A great option for those who’d just want a clean room with no frills.

• Hotel Award Category: 5
• Points redemption: 31,000-69,000 points/night
• Cash rate: ~$100-200+
• Free Night Certificate Bookable?: Possibly with 35-50k FNC’s, plus topups

Conclusion

Marriott offers many properties in Kyoto that fit different budget. Kyoto is one of the hot spots in the world for the best Marriott points redemptions for luxury hotels due to their impressive hard products and stellar Japanese hospitality. It’s overall less expensive than Tokyo as well.

While I think the upscale and budget options don’t provide good value for points redemption, you can end up paying less if you can manage to redeem free night certificates earned from Marriott credit cards.