Ace Hotel Kyoto

Where:
Kyoto, Japan
Why:Setting the tone for 2023
When: January 2023
Who:Just the two of us

"The familiar Ace vibe with a splash of Kyoto. Say no more"

AT A GLANCE: A dreamy Japanese setting amid lively sidewalks and historic buildings, Ace Hotel Kyoto has it all — location, convenience, spacious rooms, gastronomic excellence, and even a movie theatre and a subway stop under its floors. But its true achievement is not just taking the Ace Hotels’ signature design-forward philosophy eastwards but seamlessly blending it with the local spirit to make the hotel feel like you’re arriving home and also being plastic-free with lively community-oriented cultural programming checks all the right boxes in our books. Swipe the images below to discover.

Being in Kyoto feels like a dream

We stayed in the historic part of the building, which housed the former Kyoto Telephone Office building

So many ways to enter the property. This is the entrance to the lobby

The giant hammered copper check-in counter enamored us. Check-in itself was swift, and the staff was so kawaii!

Modern design with Eastern reminders throughout, we felt right at home

Ace Hotel Kyoto They commissioned a one-hundred-year-old artist named Samiro Yunoki to create their custom typeface. We loved finding it in the details throughout the property. Nice touch

They commissioned a one-hundred-year-old artist named Samiro Yunoki to create their custom typeface. We loved finding it in the details throughout the property. Nice touch

This is what waking up in Japan looks like on the first of the year

7:42 am

Japanese breakfast. Check

The light at this time of the year is to die for

The room was spacious. Such a mood

Toilet standards are high here. We loved the toto experience

Freshening up for the day

Found this cutie asleep

The bathroom has a separate room with a shower and a bath. It was easy to relax

I made some tea, and we geared up for the day

Piopiko has our hearts. We frequented this place throughout our trip

Signature moment — listening to records in your room at the Ace Hotel Kyoto. Still a mega vibe

Don't forget to grab some Stumptown coffee on your way out. Never disappoints

A familiar playground with an ethereal vibe

Highs & Lows

The main subway line has a stop directly underneath the hotel. So convenient
The staff was professional yet laid-back, courteous, and attentive. The type of hospitality where there is always direct eye contact, but it never feels in your face
We appreciated the plastic-free amenities in the rooms
A perfect balance of East meets West. The general vibe felt familiar to Ace's other properties but with Japanese details throughout. We felt right at home

It's a bummer that we didn't have time to check out the movie theater

The Barometer

Design
Location
Future Forward
Night's Sleep
Service

Amenities
Takeable Treats
Refer a Friend
Overall Value
Life Changing

Total: 50/50

Important Bits

Type
Lifestyle Hotel
Vibe
Convenient, clean, design-forward, familiar, and lively
Location
Ace Hotel Kyoto is wrapped around a central courtyard lined with a curated selection of shops. Underground you will find a small movie theater and a local train stop
Rooms
213
Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
Easy booking system followed by an informative email with all the necessary details. It also included events and happenings, which was lovely. The confirmation email in Japanese made us feel like we had arrived before we had even left for Japan
Future Forward
They nailed the plastic-free amenities in the room. We hope more properties follow this lead
Music
Each room has a tuned guitar, a record player, and a curated selection of vinyl. They know how to set the vibe
Year Opened
2020
Designed By
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and LA-based Commune Design
Health & Wellness
No spa, but they do have a 24-hour gym
Food
We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel every morning during our stay. The Japanese set was tasty, and we also loved their homemade granola, but the French banana toast stole our hearts
Bar, Events & Nightlife
Their calendar is stacked with happenings throughout the year. We were lucky to experience a live local jam session at Pioipiko, Ace Hotel Kyoto's bar and taco lounger, on our last night. They serve delicious mezcal cocktails, which are rare in these parts of the globe
Minibar & Retail
The rooms had a light selection of well-curated snacks and beverages. We loved the retail section in the lobby — look out for their signature robes and toiletry bags
Accessibility
The property is well designed with accessibility for all
Pet Friendly
Yes
Children
Yes
Price
$$$
Tel.
+8 175 229 9000
Website
Visit website

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Ace Hotel Kyoto, 245-2 Kurumayachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan

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In the Area

Hotel Location Ace Hotel Kyoto, 245-2 Kurumayachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan

The Ace Hotel Kyoto sits in the heart of Nakagyo Ward, a bustling neighborhood that intimately weaves daily commuters and tourists alike. Its streets are vibrant with life around the clock, from early-morning shopkeepers dusting their wares to late-night queues for street ramen that are worth the wait.

Ace Hotel Kyoto