Ace Hotel Tokyo: The Complete Truth About the Mix-Up

Many travelers searching for “Ace Hotel Tokyo” discover the brand’s only Japanese property is actually in Kyoto, not the capital. Ace Hotel Kyoto opened for preview on June 11, 2020, becoming the brand’s first hotel in Asia (Yatzer). This article clarifies the location, documents the hotel’s design and features through verified sources, and helps readers decide whether this Kyoto property fits their travel plans.

Last checked: 2026-09-17

Location: Karasuma and Oike streets, Kyoto, Japan · Property type: Boutique lifestyle hotel · Unique feature: Located in the cultural epicenter of Japan · Number of rooms: Spacious rooms (exact count not specified)

What happened to the Ace Hotel?

The Ace Hotel brand expanded into Asia for the first time with a property in Kyoto, not Tokyo. The hotel occupies the former Kyoto Central Telephone Company building – a red‑brick structure designed by Tetsuro Yoshida in 1926 – plus a new‑build extension (Yatzer). The entire development, known as the Shin‑Puh‑Kan (Shinpuhkan) complex, was completed in 2020 after design work from 2015 to 2017 and construction from August 2017 to March 2020 (VM SPACE).

No other Ace Hotel exists in Japan, and the brand has not announced plans for a Tokyo location. For travelers specifically seeking a stay in Tokyo, the property’s Kyoto address is a clear differentiator. The hotel’s location at Karasuma and Oike streets places it in the administrative and cultural centre of Kyoto, within walking distance of the Imperial Palace (Champ Magazine).

What this means: The “Ace Hotel Tokyo” search result is a common mislabeling; the brand’s only Japanese outpost is in Kyoto, and it opened in 2020 as a landmark redevelopment project.

What makes Ace Hotel unique?

Ace Hotel Kyoto was conceived as a “meeting of East and West” through a deep appreciation of handcrafted materials and Japanese craft traditions (Hospitality Snapshots). Architect Kengo Kuma designed the new ground‑up building and communal spaces using local materials that reference traditional ryokans (Monocle). Commune Design handled the interiors, weaving together Western and Japanese sensibilities with bespoke pieces from around 50 Kyoto artisans (Wallpaper*).

Design references include Japanese‑American artists such as Isamu Noguchi, Ruth Asawa and George Nakashima, as well as Western designers Charlotte Perriand and Antonin Raymond (Yatzer). Materials like Tamo wood, hand‑raked stucco, tatami and woven bamboo are paired with a colour palette drawn from Kyoto’s hills and gardens. Local artisan Samiro Yunoki contributed stencil‑dyed katazome works that appear in the hotel’s logo and guest room art (Metropolis).

Every guest room features a Japanese soaking tub. Bedrooms come with Commune‑designed beds and Ace’s signature Pendleton blankets, while bathrooms offer amenities from Tokyo skincare brand Uka (Monocle). In‑room Gibson guitars or TEAC turntables with a record selection cater to music‑loving guests (Cathay Pacific IL).

The food and beverage program intentionally departs from Japanese cuisine. Three restaurants are helmed by US‑based chefs: a cocktail bar and taco lounge by Wes Avila, a cosy Italian concept by Marc Vetri, and an all‑day restaurant (Yatzer). According to Monocle, this was a deliberate strategy to stand out in Kyoto’s competitive dining scene (Monocle).

The pattern: Ace Hotel Kyoto differentiates itself through artisan‑focused design, a blend of American and Japanese sensibilities, and a food program that celebrates US chefs rather than local traditions.

Is the Ace Hotel worth it?

Multiple independent reviews point to spacious rooms, thoughtful amenities, and a strong sense of place as key strengths. A Cathay Pacific review notes the 24‑hour gym, free Tokyo Bike rentals for exploring the neighbourhood, and pet‑friendly policy (Cathay Pacific IL). Another Cathay Pacific edition highlights the hotel’s sustainability practices: biodegradable bamboo toiletries, water in recyclable paper packaging, and a linen‑change schedule of once every three days (Cathay Pacific TW).

Guest reviews on TripAdvisor (aggregated in the research) consistently describe the property as “stylish” and “comfy,” though the sample size is limited to a handful of entries. The rooms vary from Standard King to Loft Suite, with all categories including the Japanese soaking tub (Cool Hunting). One reviewer specifically praised the gastronomic options at the three on‑site restaurants (source not specified in inputs).

Pricing data is scarce: at opening in mid‑2020, rates started at approximately ¥31,000 (about US$293) per night (Cool Hunting). Since the research does not include current rates, readers should check the hotel’s official website for updated pricing.

Compared to traditional Kyoto ryokans, Ace Hotel Kyoto offers a more contemporary Western‑leaning experience. Travelers who value design, music, and American‑inspired dining may find it a compelling choice, while those seeking an ultra‑local Japanese atmosphere might prefer a more conventional accommodation.

The trade‑off: The hotel’s strengths lie in its design and amenities, but the lack of recent price data and the limited number of detailed reviews make it difficult to offer a definitive value judgment.

Who is Ace Hotel owned by?

The research materials provided for this article do not contain definitive ownership details for the Ace Hotel brand. Publicly available business records indicate that Ace Hotel is operated by Ace Group, but that information is not sourced from the inputs used here. Readers seeking authoritative ownership information should consult the hotel’s official website or corporate filings. What is clear from the inputs is that Ace Hotel Kyoto is the brand’s first property in Asia and that it operates as part of a larger portfolio of design‑forward hotels worldwide.

The bottom line: Ownership data was not covered in the scoped research; this article cannot confirm the brand’s parent company beyond what is commonly available elsewhere.