Item: The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
Rating: 7
Author: Audrey Voisine

This photo report is part of our series of articles about our family trip to Japan, South Korea and Turkey in spring 2023:

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Booking

Far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection hotel is located in the north in the Rakuhoku region, an area much appreciated by artists and craftsmen for its environment. The establishment is aimed at customers in search of peace and quiet to recharge their batteries.

Rooms at The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike start at 130 CAD per night or 36,800 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Review : The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection | Marriott Bonvoy - The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection-37

Check-out time is 11 a.m., but as a Marriott Bonvoy member, don’t hesitate to request late check-out to get even more out of your stay: 2 p.m. for Gold status and 4 p.m. for Platinum and superior status.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to be a Marriott Bonvoy American Express* Cardholder (and/or Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express* Cardholder).

In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a certificate for one free hotel night (35,000 point value) and 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 110,000 points; Ends Sep 22, 2026

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on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – At a glance

The last creation of architect Togo Murano before his death, the contemporary hotel was designed in 1986 near an international conference center. The circular building, with its large central atrium, stands out against the green backdrop. The interior, all natural wood, faces the beautiful central garden.

Review : The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection | Marriott Bonvoy - The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection-43

A tour of the hotel is available for those wishing to learn more about the architect Togo Murano.

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Location

The Prince Takaragaike is located on the outskirts of Kyoto city, almost as if lost in the middle of a forest. The surrounding environment is very quiet, which is very pleasant. It takes around 20 minutes by car to reach the city center, which means renting a car or taking a cab.

Review : The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection | Marriott Bonvoy - The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection-34

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Check-in

The hotel has a large outdoor parking lot where we will park, having rented a car for our family trip.

Not far from the entrance is a long reception counter. The staff are warm and friendly. We got a room with two single beds.

We cross the hotel lobby and pass some beautiful traditional decorations before reaching the elevators to our room. A magnetic card is required to access rooms. We inevitably pass the atrium, where young people are taking a break.

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Room

The suite is spacious, with a large lounge area featuring a sofa and armchairs, a coffee corner and a dining table.

The configuration of this room includes two single beds side by side with a bench at the foot of the bed, a sideboard with a flat-screen TV and a reading corner facing the forest. A radio is integrated into the bedside tables. The room is equipped with air conditioning.

The bathroom is accessed from the bedroom. It features a bathtub, shower, Japanese toilet and long, angled countertop with single basin. A shower room is also located at the entrance to the suite.

Note that the decor is old-fashioned: the hotel is still in its 80s, but the whole is clean, airy and functional.

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Breakfast

The Prince Hotel offers breakfast for JPY 4,255/adult at two places in the hotel:

The main Ito Zakura restaurant (1F) is open from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and offers a healthy North American buffet or à la carte breakfast. The room is beautiful and allows you to admire the surrounding nature.
Takaragaike Japanese Restaurant (1F) is open at the same times and offers a traditional breakfast made by chefs.

Lunch and dinner service is also available at these two restaurants, as well as at the following:

Takaragaike Japanese restaurant
Tohen Chinese restaurant

You can take a break at the MIZU-NO-NE café in the lobby for sweet treats and tea during the day, or enjoy a cocktail at the ASCOT bar in the evening, inspired by English pubs.

Compared with other hotels, the culinary offering is not very diverse. We were generally disappointed. However, we didn’t have the opportunity to try the other restaurants where the offer was perhaps better.

The hotel offers the Charyo experience, Wabi-Sabi with matcha, an authentic Japanese tea tasting in its Kyoto Sukiya-style tea house.

Please note that service may be restricted on certain days of the week.

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Other services

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Gym

A gym is available to hotel guests on the second floor throughout the day. Children under 16 are not allowed access. It is very pleasant as it overlooks a green setting. Dumbbells, weight benches, treadmills, bikes and elliptical trainers are all available.

Laundry service is available. Requests must be made at reception on arrival or before 10 a.m. for same-day delivery by 6 p.m.

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike – Lounge

An executive lounge is available to Marriott Bonvoy members with Platinum status or higher. The environment once again takes center stage, with views over a splendid interior garden.

The lounge offers :

Breakfast between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m,
tea (sweets, breads and snacks are served) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.,
or evening cocktails with three types of hors d’oeuvres and snacks from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A welcome drink is offered to guests between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. A few snacks are offered throughout the day, but the offer is neither varied nor interesting.

Similarly, the evening offer was disappointing for us. A few petits fours or hot dishes and a few bottles of spirits are featured. It’s also worth noting that children under 13 are no longer admitted after the cocktail hour, which is a shame for families.

Fortunately, we had planned to visit an izakaya in Kyoto.