The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection ザ・プリンス 京都宝ヶ池 オートグラフ コレクション 京都寶池皇家王子傲途格精選酒店

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection is a luxury hotel surrounded by greenery in Kyoto’s Takaragaike area, located in Sakyo Ward. Formerly known as the Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto, the property was rebranded as “The Prince” in 2020 and joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection at the same time. It is just a three-minute walk from Kokusaikaikan Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, and only about 20 minutes direct from Kyoto Station. The location also serves as a convenient base for exploring the Ohara, Kibune, and Kurama areas.

The hotel is well known for its architecture by Togo Murano, featuring a cylindrical main building with an inner ring of guest rooms and a circular courtyard at its center. Murano’s signature curves remain visible throughout the property—in the open atrium lobby, the shape of columns, railings, and ceiling lines—making it a favorite among architecture enthusiasts. Seasonal flowers and trees fill the courtyard, which can be viewed from many guest rooms and from the hotel’s restaurants, along with vistas toward Takaragaike Park and Mount Hiei.

The hotel offers 310 guest rooms, all at least 36.9 m²—noticeably more spacious than typical city hotels. Categories include Club Floor, Forest Floor, and suites, all equipped with a custom Sealy co-developed mattress, humidifying air purifier, and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms overlook the greenery of Takaragaike Park or the mountain ridges of Kitayama and Mt. Hiei, making the property appealing for guests who prefer peaceful, natural views over the typical urban hotel outlook. Bathrooms include both unit-style options and upgraded layouts with a bathtub and separate shower area, refreshed with bright modern tiles after the renovation.

Interiors embrace a “harmony with nature” theme, combining warm wood textures and soft fabrics with calming earthy tones. Large windows in the lobby and lounge frame views of the courtyard garden, creating a serene atmosphere where guests can relax and enjoy the quiet ambiance characteristic of the Kitayama district. Compared to hotels in central Kyoto, this property sits comfortably in the category of a “suburban resort-style city hotel,” offering a balance between tranquility and convenient subway access to the downtown area.

The hotel’s main dining venue is “Itozakura,” a restaurant built around Kyoto-style Japanese cuisine. Seasonal menus highlight local vegetables and Kyoto ingredients, with offerings ranging from traditional kaiseki to à la carte dishes. Its garden-facing dining room provides a calm atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additional restaurants serve Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisines, along with a café—ensuring that guests can easily dine entirely within the hotel if they wish.

The bar “Ascot,” modeled after a British pub, features a counter and sofa seating where guests can enjoy whisky, cocktails, and wine. It works equally well for a quiet drink or an evening nightcap after dinner. Within the garden, the hotel also maintains a traditional tea house, “Saryo,” used for tea ceremonies, private meals, and occasional early-morning free-access events—offering guests a distinctly Kyoto cultural experience.

The hotel is also well equipped for large events, thanks in part to its location directly across from the Kyoto International Conference Center. With multiple banquet halls, meeting rooms, and dedicated wedding facilities—including a chapel and Shinto-style ceremony venue—the property supports MICE events, corporate gatherings, academic conferences, and family ceremonies. Its facilities cater equally well to business travelers and leisure guests planning milestone celebrations.

The surrounding environment includes Takaragaike Park, the Kyoto Takaragaike Park Children’s Paradise, and hiking or scenic drives toward Mount Hiei. From here, it is also easy to visit Ohara (home to Sanzen-in and Jakko-in temples) or the riverside dining areas of Kibune and Kurama—making the hotel suitable for summer getaways as well. Meanwhile, the Karasuma Line offers direct access to Shijo, Karasuma Oike, and Kyoto Station, allowing guests to enjoy the tranquility of nature while staying connected to the city’s core.

Overall, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection is “a luxury hotel that blends Rokuhoku’s natural scenery with distinctive architecture in a quiet, resort-like setting.” Spacious guest rooms, Togo Murano’s iconic circular architecture, well-balanced dining options across Japanese, Chinese, and Western cuisine, a British-style bar, and facilities such as the tea house and gardens all contribute to a stay that is enjoyable both as a sightseeing base and as a hotel-focused retreat. For guests who want a peaceful alternative to central Kyoto while still earning Marriott points, this property is a compelling choice.