Kyoto
Contemporary boutique with retro Americana energy filtered through Japanese craft. Mid-century furniture, custom Pendleton blankets, TEAC turntables, and Gibson guitars in some rooms sit alongside tatami-lined bedside tables, deep soaking tubs, Samiro Yunoki folk art on the walls, and noren curtains. The crowd is young, the lobby is buzzy, and there's always something going on.
Ask for a room in the Historic wing (former telephone office building) — the original architectural details are worth the upgrade
Why It Matters
Ace Hotel's first Asia property, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kengo Kuma. The building is a genuine conversion of the historic Kyoto Central Telephone Office. Japan's first Stumptown Coffee Roasters is on the ground floor. Three separate restaurants from acclaimed American chefs operate under one roof. It's on the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List.
Ace Hotel Kyoto is the brand's first Asian outpost — and probably the most architecturally significant hotel in the Ace portfolio. It lives inside and around the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office, a Taisho-era landmark reworked by Kengo Kuma and Commune Design into 213 rooms spread across a historic wing and a bold new addition. The lobby hits you immediately: a doughnut-shaped, hand-hammered copper front desk sits beneath a Japanese-style kigumi interlocked timber ceiling, with a massive textile by Shobu Gakuen and enormous ceramic pots by Kazunori Haman. It's louder, younger, and more international than most of Kyoto — which is either the point or the problem, depending on who you ask.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Ace Suite
The flagship suite, located in the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office building. King bed with a spacious layout. The suite category in the historic wing has the most architectural presence — original features combined with the full Ace design treatment.
King
Deluxe King
On the top three floors with city views. Same core package as the Standard King but elevated position means meaningfully better outlooks over Kyoto. King-size bed, window seats, TEAC turntable.
King
Deluxe Twin
Two double beds and a private balcony — a rare feature at this hotel. Tivoli radio included. Great option for two friends or a couple who wants outdoor space to decompress after a day out.
Two DoubleHistoric King
Set inside the former Kyoto Central Telephone Office building, so the architecture here has genuine character — original features, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a double vanity. King-size bed. This is the category to book if design is your reason for being here.
KingHistoric Twin
Twin configuration inside the historic telephone office building. Two double beds, double vanity, and the same original architectural character as the Historic King. Good choice for two travelers who each want their own bed and want to feel the building's bones.
Two Double
Loft Suite
Inside the former telephone company building with a separate dining, bar, and living area — plus both a TEAC turntable and a Gibson guitar (one of the few room types that gets both). Two double beds. Reviewers single this out as genuinely spacious by Kyoto standards.
Two DoubleStandard King
The entry point, and honestly a solid one. King-size bed, window seats, Tivoli radio, TEAC turntable with vinyl, and Japanese soaking tub with separate shower. Slate-tiled bathrooms with natural ash wood ceilings. Original Samiro Yunoki artwork on the walls, custom Pendleton blanket on the bed. Some rooms include a Gibson guitar.
KingStandard Twin
Two double beds with window seats, Japanese soaking tub, and a separate shower. Comes with a TEAC turntable. Same Yunoki art and Pendleton blanket as throughout the property. The soaking tub in a Standard category room is a genuine value — not common at this price level.
Two DoubleTatami Suite
The most distinctly Japanese room in the house — four elegant tatami futons, a private bar, double vanity, TEAC turntable, and a soaking tub. Separated into two zones: one with seating and a low table for tea, one for sleeping. Samiro Yunoki art and Pendleton blanket throughout. Great for groups of up to four who want the cultural experience without giving up the Ace amenities.
Four Tatami FutonsThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Regular DJ events in the hotel's public spaces — Saturday Night Ace is a recurring fixture. Frequent appearances by local and national DJs across genres including rare groove, house, Latin, and Black music. Check the Goings On calendar for the current schedule.
Ongoing series of record shop pop-up events in collaboration with Osaka's rare groove record shop. DJs and music enthusiasts from across Japan attend. Check the Goings On calendar for dates.
Bike rental available through the hotel. The way most Kyoto locals get around — and a far better way to see the city than fighting for taxis or buses.
The lobby has a dedicated gallery space with rotating artist-in-residence exhibitions. Works by local and international artists change throughout the year. The permanent collection includes pieces by Samiro Yunoki throughout the hotel.
Schedule-dependent workshops including traditional tea ceremonies, ikebana flower arranging, and artist-led sessions. Check the hotel's Goings On calendar for upcoming programming.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Flexible event and meeting spaces for groups, corporate events, and weddings. A dedicated room specs page is available on the hotel website.
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and in all rooms.
Room service available from on-site restaurants.
Fitness center on the second floor, open 24 hours.
A verdant garden courtyard on-site. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. Connected to the adjacent retail complex.
Dogs welcome in designated rooms (under 15 kg, max 2 per room). Additional fee of ¥14,300 per dog per night (tax included). Includes pastry chef-made dog cookies, dog bed, food and water bowls. Dogs allowed in Stumptown and Mr. Maurice's Rooftop Bar at lunch. Proof of rabies vaccination required.
There is no swimming pool at Ace Hotel Kyoto.
Round-the-clock front desk staffed by multilingual team.
On-site laundry and dry cleaning service.
On-site ATM and currency exchange service.
The hotel connects to Shinpukan, an upscale retail complex. Ace Hotel also runs its own curated shop with Kyoto-specific merchandise.
Underground direct connection to Karasuma Oike Station via Exit 5 with elevators and escalators. Connects to both the Karasuma Line and Tozai Line.
The lobby doubles as a co-working hub with a long communal table and mid-century-style seating. Dedicated gallery space within the lobby hosts rotating exhibitions. Open to guests and non-guests.
BUILD YOUR ACE HOTEL KYOTO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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