The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

With a lovely location alongside the Kamogawa River and offering unforgettable views of the city and the beautiful Higashiyama mountains, the 5-star Ritz Carlton Kyoto hotel offers luxury accommodation and sophisticated style in the heart of Japan's cultural capital. With 134 spacious guestrooms and suites, the hotel offers elegant interiors plus top-quality service and facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and luxury spa, and four restaurants and bars. At the Zen-inspired spa guests can unwind in the relaxation room, steam room, dry sauna and a 20-metre swimming pool, or choose from a variety of wellness therapies and beauty treatments. There is also a fully equipped 24-hour gym for working out. At the hotel's elegant speciality Japanese restaurants, guests can enjoy delicious kaiseki, sushi and tempura dishes prepared by expert chefs, while La Locanda specialises in Italian cuisine. There is also the lobby-lounge for brunch, afternoon tea and sweet treats by famous French patisserie Pierre Herm? Paris, plus a stylish candle-lit bar for drinks and cocktails. Guestrooms feature sophisticated modern design with traditional Japanese motifs and include: wide windows with a seating area; luxury marble bathroom with LCD TV plus bathrobes and slippers; 47-inch LCD TV; Blu-ray DVD player; Bluetooth Tivoli Audio; free Wi-Fi; and Nespresso coffee machine/Nestle tea server. There is also 24-hour reception, round-the-clock room service, and a 24-hour business centre. Kyoto Shiyakushomae subway station is just a 3-minute walk away, from where it's just a 10-minute ride to JR Kyoto Station.