First look at the stunning new Capella Kyoto hotel

1 May, 2026 Alfonso Murray 0 Comments 1 category

The country’s ancient capital of Kyoto has been experiencing a luxury hotel boom of late, which is an even more exciting place than ever seen on travelers’ must-visit maps of Japan. Most recently, the contestant is a stunning outpost from growing luxury brand Capella Hotels and Resorts.

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Capella Kyoto, Japan’s first property for the growing chain since March 22, is home to Welcoming guests who live at a former elementary school dating back to 1869 and has lived in residence on the site of an old high school.

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The reincarnation was overseen by World-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma (who also designed the Japan National Stadium for the Tokyo Olympics) and is actually part of a three-element development on the Shinmachi Street in Miyagawacho, which has long been ‘training ground to the geisha who made Kyoto famous and where guests can now attend performances and he recently opened – community center.

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While this is the city’s newest hotel, it sits next to Kyoto’S oldest Zen Buddhist temple, Kenninji Temple (founded in 1202) and the Ebisu Shrine dedicated to the seven gods of fortune.

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The culture, meanwhile, can’t help but seep into every corner of the hotel with touches both playful and reverent throughout — all hosted by Singapore-based Brewin Design Office with neighbors like that. When it comes to traditional tassed noren textile screens at the entrances, everything is expected from seasonally changing colors (the tesassels were green for spring and patches of fabric in a shade-red hue against Kyoto’s famous cherry blossoms) to delicate and monumental works of art by contemporary Japanese craftspeople.

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First impressions

The design of Capella Kyoto was designed to represent the machiya, based on a wooden townhouse similar to those that are found in the streets around it. Its stylistic features include a chic bamboo paneling, low-flubbed seating vignettes in the Living Room lounge and reception area, sliding screens and lanternlike light fixtures that gave ‘a soft glow’.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Shoji screen-inspired windows are a guest room corridors with shoji screens and gentle afternoon light filters through at magic hour. Certainly there’s plenty to think about when you drink a welcome cup of sakura-scented tea and enjoy ice cold green tea mochi.

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A dramatic boulder-embellished indoor waterfall (each stone was handpicked by Kuma’s team) just inside the entrance to the door brings a touch with Kansai region’S stunning nature indoors.

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When the weather is pleasant, a beautiful central courtyard leads to ponds and’small rock path’ Japanese maple copses, vibrant cherry tree and alfresco terrace with. fire pit for fine dining across from it.

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The next hushed corridor leads to another piece of art, from glossy ceramics and lacquerware to huge installations of handwoven rice Husks inspired by the symbolic (shimenawa ropes) hanging at torii gates and Shinto temples all are clues about the cultural treasures waiting for discovery in the streets surrounding them. Nod to the plethora of temples nearby, even the intricately designed keycards made from fragrant sandalwood.

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The rooms at Capella Kyoto

There are only 60 rooms and 29 suites in Capella Kyoto, from 540-square-foot Deluxe City rooms to the four-floor, 2,200–square feet (2.50-square square-female) Suite of surrounding streets. Most of the hottest, perhaps most popular are the six Onsen Suites with small Zen gardens on their balconies and private ofuro-style baths filled by a special reservoir of mineral-rich water drawn from nearly 3,000 feet underground at the Hatoya Zuihokaku hot spring.

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My Premier Theatre King room was west of the Kamo River and the Kaburenjo theater, but most of my view was a power pole. Thankfully I could reduce the sheers of gauzy linen with just touching on a button to give diffuse light that practically made the dark walnut paneling, buttery gray leather surfaces and hammered brass tconces glow.

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The king-size bed was draped with softly textured Frette linens (all the best to enjoy with feather-light birch thread) but the most impressive feature was the headboard made from shimmery, locally woven nishijin silk by Hosoo Textiles(founded in 1688) andemblazoned using bold cloudlike characters of Okinawan calligraphist Daichiro Shinjo.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

I didn’t even turn on the flat-screen TV that was mounted to my wall during my stay. I closed the panels instead to enjoy some of the tech-free nights but not tea with the kettle provided in the minibar. The spiced gin specially made for the hotel by SiCX Kyoto Distillery was also an attractive addition to my taste, which I had been looking for. ) , who has been.

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It was paneled in wood with a glossy black-and-white speckled granite countertop and two sinks, offering ‘no escape’ after completing.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Then I was delighted to see little boxes of toiletries in one drawer arranged for a colorized vintage portrait of sane geisha.

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The glassed-in bathing suite included a traditional hinoki onsen stool and bucket, hand-held and overhead showerheads as well as hand held and raised shower heads and dipping borders to the black ceramic tub so you could leave the water running and watch it stream over the edge as you soaked (the sakura-scented bath salts of perfumes worn by local geiko (what geisha from Kyoto) seep into your skin.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

There were Bamford skin and hair amenities, too.

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The last thing that is the most important thing every day does? I’m back after turndown service to get a thermos of hot sakura tea and i’ll remember it for me. One night was an ema, a wooden plaque at Shinto shrines to say prayers and wishes; another night it was tacked silk kumihimo pendant.

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Dining at Capella Kyoto

The place to sit down is Capella Kyoto; the hotel sparked chefs Kyle and Katina Connaughton, who run Sonoman’s three-Michelin-starred SingleThread, to open SoNoMa by SingleTHread. It’s a homecoming of sorts, as both have lived and worked in Japan.

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ChefkeITA Tomatoinaga, whose menus honor the work of Northern California that put SingleThread on the map, and the bountiful Kansai region surrounding Kyoto and Japan’d many microseason seasons are behind running the restaurant.

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practical terms That’s about a dozen diners per night. In a formal lounge and bar overlooking the hotel’s central courtyard, it begins with an “ochayam” or traditional teahouse that is designed to be inspired by an ochiya. Then, after a few small bites and an herbal infusion, diners move on to the counter seats of the main dining room.

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Over the course of three hours, a veritable profusion show up in the form of ‘taste menu ($285 per person) and is known as showcasing an authentic taste.

The night is off to a delicious start with sea bream with smoky matcha rice, ultrafresh Hokkaido uni with avocado puree, tiny Toyama firefly shid with the tangy chimichurri and duck liver parfait (accompanied by lily bulbs and mochi rice wrapped in toasted leaf) from an early morning. Despite this being not an only procession, it isn’t just a mean parade of s. As you all settle in for the evening, as you eat each dish and its ingredients, banter about travel (or anything else) and help you know who is going to be there.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

In a year, you may like the beautiful Mie yellowtail and Shiba snapper with ponzu and citrus; tempura bamboo shoots in chicken jus (in powdered olive oil and pickled lemon gel) melt-in-your-mouth Hokkaido ocean trout smoked with cherrywood chips in ibushi pot made from special Iga clay and peppery hana sansho buds (which only bloom for weeks each year); cavian.

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A good finisher would be delicacies such as earthy barley cake with citrus-infused honey, madeleines with fennel powder and sauternes perfume or beeswax gelato from executive pastry chef Emma Horowitz and chef Miu Morita.

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If you have the wine pairings ($160) and enjoy a sip with it, such as 2015 Dom Perignon Champagne, Radio-Coteau Savoy Anderson Valley chardonnay, Iwa sake and Jacques Cacheux Vosne-RomanE E Aux Ormes Burgundy. Then there’s a non-alcoholic combination with funky mixes like violet-hued butterfly pea flower juice cut with lemony yuzu.

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It also hosts the hotel’s Yoi (meaning “twilight” in Japanese), a cross between one of the sultry cocktail lounge and – as well as dozens of casual and gourmet bite restaurants, plus innovative drinks.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Lanterne is the property’s casual cafe and patisserie, with its bright brasserie next to the Living Room as well as an informal cafe (and a petty-style) for . The gardens In a garden-like dining room, residents enjoy enjoying tantalizing seasonal strawberry tarts.

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There is also a buffet of cold dishes, fruits and pastries for guests to enjoy breakfast before selecting hot dishes such as fluffy matcha pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream (and dozens of pickles), classic-tamagoyaki (rolledomelets) and filets of fresh fish including miso-glazed black cod. The majority of rates include the meal (the meal is included in ). Paraphrasingr )

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A classic Japanese-French affair is served at lunch and dinner, with specialties such as a buttery, rich king crab pain perdued with kumquat and decadenting bisque sauce; tender chicken crepinette with spring vegetables and Albufera sauce (three courses for $41, but some dishes have supplemental charge) and tender poultry crepe.

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The Spa at Capella Kyoto

Its proprietary Auriga Spa, designed by the lunar and seasonal cycles of reincarnation (Cella’s own) treatments are also inspired by various other standard offerings in its four hinoki-scented treatment rooms.

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In Japan, it is also the first spa to have treatments based on Shiseido’s prestige line of skin care products, The Ginza. My hour-long facial ($240) was a gentle cleansing and ultramoisturizing mask that left my skin dewy for hours (literally until bedtime).

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Other signatures include the new moon full body massage (60 minutes for $240) and The Ginza full-body experience, including a hot stone massage (30 minutes at $295).

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If you want an onsen bathing experience without the strictures of a public facility, one of the spa’s three on-san suites can be booked for 60 or 90 minutes (start at $130 for an hour) and is reserved for use by those who wish to have it. The bathing areas of them are large, with showers open and oversize stone ofuros for salukbrious soaks. There are also en suite bathrooms and comfortable living rooms where visitors can take breathers as they wear provided yukata robes.

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Until the men’s or women’, you can just sit in the locker room and relax again. s each have their own sauna, steam room and experiential shower, among other facilities.

Amenities and service

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The service is personal and warm but utterly efficient and polished.
It’s a large gym for if it is such sized hotel and chock-full of Technogym equipment, weights and cardio machines. can also be trained personally.
Capella is a culturally-programmed “Culturist” who hangs out in the Living Room, and has one of the most interesting things on the calendar.
Every evening, a geiko or maiko performs in the Living Room by ‘Meiko’ and * There is also. It’s usually a dance, after which guests can enjoy – and sometimes even the visiting performer – if they have questioned questions with an audience of only.
Other cultural activities include sake tastings in Yoi and visits to the nearby Gion Naito atelier to learn how traditional geta sandals are made.
The friendly concierges can advise on everything from insightful tours to last-minute dinner reservations and the city’s best shopping.

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Capella Kyoto location

The Miyagawacho district, the slammed heart of the city’s beating historic heart (the most quieter than the neighboring Gion district), is Capella Kyoto’ in the center of its geisha-like core and it is also known for its proximity to the downtown. In the evening you might spy geiko and maiko (apprentice geisha) shuffling to and from appointments, even halting Lanterne to buy pastries.

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Just short walks to the east are major sights such as Yasaka Pagoda and the temple complex at Kiyomizudera, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaki’s hodgepodge alleyways; a rapid walk to west is on the riverfront.

Tokyo and Osaka are a 15-minute taxi ride away from Kyoto Station, where the Shinkansen bullet trains to Japan arrive. The drive is about $12 to $20, depending on the car’s driving cost.

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Booking Capella Kyoto

Capella Kyoto Rates start at $1,460 per night in the coming months. Like the one I stayed in Premier Theatre King rooms, they cost $1,540.

While writing, Capella Kyoto was not yet participating in one of the premium credit card hotel booking portals; other locations on Capelli are part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts so I think this will be eventually, too.

Accessibility

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ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Capella Kyoto also has one Premier Temple King room with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant Premier Room a single Premier temple King rooms in Capelle Kyoto is the only place where it’s available. The ramps and elevator are wheelchair-accessible to its public areas, restrooms or restaurants.

Bottom line

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A city already dotted with luxury hotels, Capella Kyoto is still distinguished by its fine attention to details of large and small detail in the architecture/designer’s stunning setting; its beautiful location in one of most sought-after neighborhoods — SoNoMa by SingleThread — and so many other local dining experiences will be an important landmark.

If you have a problem with the guest rooms and spa that’s so inviting, it is hard to leave the hotel for Kyoto’t cultural riches — either through the special activities organised by the Capella team or those you plan yourself.

Related reading:

At one with its historic surroundings, Park Hyatt Kyoto is one of the best Park Hyatts in the world
Best hotel credit cards
Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
The Edit by Chase Travel: How you can get elitelike perks without status

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Category: Reviews