Dusit Thani Kyoto

With a central location just a stone’s throw from some of the city’s main sights—including Nishiki Market and Fushimi Inari Shrine—Dusit Thani Kyoto delivers authentic Kyoto experiences under its roof, including tea ceremonies; a maiko dance workshop; a class in the art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold; and a spa whose design is inspired by kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery. There are also nods to Dusit Thani’s Thai roots, like Ayatana, a Thai fine-dining restaurant; a Thai dessert bar; and blue ribbons draped from the lobby ceiling that are a tribute to Japanese and Thai indigo dyeing traditions. The rooms are a slick, contemporary take on traditional ryokan aesthetics; we recommend requesting one on the ground floor for serene Japanese garden views.