Hi, I’m Meg.
Opened in September 2021, ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts, is Hilton’s top-tier luxury property nestled in the tranquil Takagamine area of Kyoto.
I stayed there twice — in November 2022 and October 2023, right in the middle of Japan’s breathtaking autumn foliage season.
From its serene water gardens and onsen-style thermal pool to elegant rooms featuring fine Japanese craftsmanship, ROKU KYOTO offers a truly indulgent retreat — though not without a few surprises. Here’s my honest luxury autumn stay review.
1. Location
While even Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Arashiyama, felt slightly inconvenient in terms of location, at least it was in the heart of a scenic sightseeing area with plenty of cafés and restaurants.
ROKU KYOTO, on the other hand, is truly remote, with almost nothing around it.
You can’t reach the hotel on foot from any station; you’ll need either a bus or a car(taxi). I decided to take the bus since the weather was nice, but even from the nearest bus stop, Kitakonohata-cho (red circle on the map below), it was about an 8-minute walk downhill — and yes, it’s a pretty steep slope!
There are not many restaurants (no shops) nearby, which can be inconvenient if you like exploring outside the hotel.
So while ROKU KYOTO offers exceptional value if you’re redeeming Hilton free night certificates, its remote location is a major downside for me personally. The only real geographical advantage? You can walk to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) — that’s about it!
２．Exterior
While the location may be inconvenient, everything else about ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts, lives up to its luxury reputation.
The hotel’s design centers around a serene courtyard surrounded by modern buildings, where still water mirrors the surrounding landscape — somewhat reminiscent of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. During autumn, the reflections of red and golden foliage are simply breathtaking.
Even on a cloudy day, when the courtyard is illuminated by soft lights at night, it transforms into something truly magical.
A narrow walkway stretches across the central water feature, reminiscent of the entrance to The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, adding a sense of calm anticipation as you walk through.
View from the other side.
Beyond this walkway lies the thermal pool, onsen heated pool. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, access was by hourly reservation, and while the water was comfortably warm, stepping out into the cool autumn air was quite a shock! A sauna is also available beside the pool.
From the guestroom wing, you can see Restaurant TENJIN across the reflecting water — an elegant view, especially framed by the autumn colors.
The entire property is surrounded by beautifully colored trees,
creating countless photo-worthy moments.
Beyond the restaurant, another stunning view.
Breathtaking!
At night, the trees are beautifully lit up, making the scenery even more enchanting. Honestly, I could have spent hours just sitting there, admiring the reflections and enjoying Kyoto’s autumn right within the hotel grounds.
３．Club Lounge & Hilton Diamond Member Benefits
Like other luxury hotels in Kyoto I reported (Ritz Carlton and Hotel the Mitsui), ROKU KYOTO does not have a club (executive) lounge.
Previously, guests staying on the premium floors or those with Hilton Diamond status could enjoy a cocktail hour (5:00–6:30 PM) at the hotel’s Tea House, but that service was discontinued in April 2022.
Instead, Diamond members now receive a ¥10,000 hotel credit, which can be used at the hotel facilities (as of October 2023).
Still, the Tea House remains one of my favorite spaces in the hotel — a tranquil lounge open to all staying guests from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Inside, there’s a small self-service tea area featuring tea bags and Traditional Japanese sugar candies, Wasanbon — a nice local touch.
Tsubakido tea bags in lovely Japanese flavors like ginger roasted tea, rose black tea, mint green tea, and chamomile roasted tea.
Check-in takes place here as well, while seated comfortably with a cup of the hotel’s special blend of roasted tea with black soybean and cinnamon, served alongside a delicate Japanese sweet. I really appreciated being able to sit down, relax, and enjoy tea during check-in — such a refined touch that sets the tone for a luxurious stay.
４．Deluxe Room & Amenities
During my autumn stay in peak foliage season, the hotel was completely full — so, as expected, there was no room upgrade and no late checkout available. I stayed in the booked Deluxe Room, with checkout at noon. Despite being the hotel’s standard category, the room was spacious and elegant. The hallway leading to the rooms features warm wood tones, creating a calming atmosphere.
My room was located in the farthest building from the front desk.
Upon entering, a long hallway opened into a beautifully arranged bedroom — instantly giving a sense of luxury and space.
On the left, there’s an open closet with plush, fluffy bathrobes, an iron and ironing board, and storage drawers.
Inside the drawers were small thoughtful touches:
a shoehorn, clothes brush, pajamas,
slippers, and even zori-style sandals.
There’s a security box in the next shelf.
There was a small bag you can use within the hotel, which cannot be taken home.
Looking the entrance door from the room. Next to the closet is a toilet
with its own washbasin and a mirror,
and from there, the room opens into a spacious area with a large bed, sofa by the window, and a table and chairs with TV on the wall.
The bed itself features a Slumberland mattress, a brand also used by the British Royal Family, offering incredible comfort.
Each bedside has universal outlets and control panels,
and one side features a stylish BALMUDA speaker, which costs about 40,000JPY (about 262USD), though the sound quality wasn’t as impressive as its design for me (I’m picky about sound).
I loved that the pajamas were a separate top-and-bottom set, not a one-piece robe — much more comfortable.
There’s plenty of room to move around, and considering this is the base category, the space feels more than enough.
I especially liked the lighting and design of the lower wall, which adds a warm, inviting glow at night.
On the table were a welcome fruit plate and Japanese sweets, along with a wooden key card reminiscent of those at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko — a thoughtful touch that connects modern luxury with Japanese craftsmanship.
Behind a traditional-style cabinet
were snacks and mini bottles of alcohol (charged) on the top shelf, and below, elegant tea ware, glass-bottled water, and a Nespresso machine.
Drawers also contained cutlery, plates, six coffee capsules and tea bags.
Cutlery was rare pink-gold color (love it!).
The mini fridge held paid drinks,
while the right drawer stored glasses and a Russell Hobbs electric kettle in sleek black, along with an ice bucket.
Japanese tea ware was also traditional and stylish.
I requested a humidifying air purifier and it was made by Daikin, one of the most trusted brands in Japan.
The bathroom was another highlight: finished in a dark calm tone. While it isn’t a hot spring (onsen) bath, it has both a rain shower and a hand shower, plus a proper Japanese-style washing area, which I really appreciated.
The shade can be opened to the room and it becomes bright.
The double sinks are unique ceramic basins added to the sense of modern Japanese luxury.
Amenities came in elegant boxes,
featuring skin care set from Omnisens Paris, as well as bath items from the British skincare brand VOTARY — my first time trying them.
The hair dryer was the high-end Repronizer 4D Plus.
From the window, I could see the thermal pool below. Though the lower part of the glass was frosted for privacy, I recommend closing the curtains as it’s somewhat visible from outside.
5. Final Thoughts
A Peaceful, Luxurious Escape (if you don’t mind the location)
My stay at ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts was truly memorable — a perfect blend of modern elegance and quiet Japanese serenity.
The architecture, the warm hospitality, and the breathtaking autumn scenery reflected on the water made it a stay to remember.
However, the location remains a challenge. Without a car, it’s not easy to reach, and there’s not much to see or eat nearby. For travelers who enjoy exploring Kyoto’s major areas, this might feel a bit inconvenient.
But for those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, ROKU KYOTO is ideal.
Once you arrive, you can spend the entire day inside — relaxing at the thermal pool, sipping tea at the Tea House, and simply soaking in the tranquil beauty of the surroundings.
The service quality and attention to detail reflect the high standards expected from Hilton’s LXR luxury collection. If you have a free night certificate, this property offers incredible value for a luxury Kyoto stay.
In short, while the journey to get there might test your patience, the serenity and sophistication that await make it absolutely worth it.
ROKU KYOTO isn’t just a hotel — it’s a quiet luxury sanctuary where time seems to slow down, especially under the golden hues of Kyoto’s autumn.
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