Ace Hotel Kyoto was the third Ace property we stayed at this year—and unexpectedly, it became our favorite.
Right after returning from Japan, news broke that Ace Hotel had been acquired by Japan’s Seibu Group, so in a way, we were lucky to experience the “original Ace Hotel Kyoto” before any potential changes.
This review covers our full 3-night stay in September 2025, with details on the room, amenities, art collaborations, restaurants, Stumptown Coffee, the on-site photo booth, and our dining experience at Kōsa. If you love architecture, art hotels, and design-driven stays, Ace Hotel Kyoto absolutely deserves a spot on your Kyoto hotel list.
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About Ace Hotel Kyoto
Address:
245-2 Kurumayacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8185, Japan
Facilities:
Café, restaurants, fitness center, art spaces
Stay:
3 nights in September 2025
Ace Hotel Kyoto was awarded One Michelin Key in 2024 and 2025, making it one of the few design-driven boutique hotels recognized by the Michelin Guide.
Before visiting Kyoto, we had already stayed at:
- Ace Hotel Sydney (full review)
- Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens (an hour outside the city center—super unique)
And I even spotted Ace Hotel Seattle when I went there for the Alaskan cruise in September, the original location, during our trip there.
So by the time we arrived in Kyoto, expectations were high—and Ace definitely delivered.
Location:
Ace Hotel Kyoto is located inside ShinPuhKan, a beautifully redesigned complex with direct underground access to Karasuma Oike Station. Last year I passed by the complex but didn’t have the chance to step inside the hotel—this time, we made it our main destination.
I am happy to see the LGBTQ flag at the counter, especially in Japan and not in pride month.
Ace Hotel Kyoto: Design Details, Collaborations & Small Things We Loved
One thing I always appreciate about Ace Hotels is how much attention they pay to the little things—and Kyoto was no exception. I actually started paying attention to their merchandise when I stayed at Ace Sydney earlier this year.
Before this trip, I noticed the Ace online shop was having a huge sale, around 40–50% off. I originally wanted to buy their shampoo and conditioner set before flying to Japan, but the shipping fee from the U.S. was based on weight and ended up almost as expensive as the products themselves.
The package also shipped via USPS First-Class Mail, which meant I could only track it within the U.S. The parcel “traveled” across seven or eight American cities before finally reaching Taiwan—it felt like the package was taking its own vacation.
When I arrived in Kyoto, I realized the in-store merchandise wasn’t as complete as I expected, so I was very glad I bought what I wanted earlier. Right after returning home, the news broke that Ace Hotel was sold to Japan’s Seibu Group, and suddenly everything made sense.
A fun surprise inside the hotel:
There’s even a “Scoby Hotel” created by the Michelin-three-star restaurant Noma.
I started brewing kombucha during the pandemic, so seeing this little “home” for SCOBYs genuinely made me smile. It’s literally a small setup designed to keep the SCOBY alive, covered with cloth, with that familiar sweet-sour smell.
Architecture lovers will appreciate this too:
Ace Hotel Kyoto lies in the historic Shinpuhkan building, originally constructed in 1923 as the Kyoto Central Telephone Office. The renovation and redesign were done in collaboration with famed architect Kengo Kuma(隈研吾), blending the building’s Taishō-era structure with Ace’s modern, warm, community-driven style.
Ace Hotel Kyoto Room Review
The room décor follows Ace’s signature moody, dark-toned aesthetic. At first glance it may feel dim, but the style fits the building’s historic heritage and warm lighting concept.
✔ Room Highlights
- A vinyl player or guitar inside every room (a classic Ace touch)
- Beautiful dark-wood design
- High level of cleanliness—housekeeping here is serious
- A deep soaking bathtub
- A copper tea canister by Tokyo brand SyuRo, filled with delicious tea
- Thoughtful birthday surprise: a bottle of Australian red wine in our room
One thing that impressed us most was the thorough housekeeping. During one afternoon, we went back to grab something, and the staff was meticulously polishing every single glass—literally picking them up one by one. It’s a level of detail we don’t always see at boutique hotels.
✔ Bathroom
The bathroom has a semi-open layout with darker tones. The bathtub is spacious, and although the décor is moody and dramatic, it feels luxurious rather than cramped.
✔ Daytime Lighting
Daylight softened the room significantly, making it feel warmer than expected. Despite the hotel occupying a historical structure, we didn’t hear much noise—a pleasant surprise for central Kyoto.
Samiro Yunoki Exhibition (2025.9.1–2025.10.31)
Ace Hotel Kyoto features artwork by Samiro Yunoki, the legendary Japanese katazome (stencil dyeing) master. The hotel’s wall scrolls, patterns, and even the logo’s artistic elements draw from his work. Read the interview on hotel website.
During our stay, the lobby hosted a Yunoki exhibition, with additional afternoon tea offerings inspired by his artwork. The pieces depict scenes of traveling around the world—vibrant, playful, and full of movement.
Ace’s collaboration with artists is one of the things that keeps its properties feeling alive, and Kyoto is no exception.
Fitness Center
Make sure you pass by fitness room—the path to it one of the most beautiful corners in the entire hotel.
Ace Hotel Kyoto occupies several interconnected spaces within ShinPuhKan, and the walkway between the buildings has natural wood fragrance, lounge music drifting up from the lobby, and sunlight filtering through the windows. It’s one of those little “only in Ace” moments.
Inside the gym:
- Cardio machines
- Yoga mats
- A TV
- Slightly compact layout, but well-equipped for a quick workout
This is the view from the gym.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters (from Portland)
A highlight for coffee lovers: Stumptown Coffee Roasters is located right inside the hotel.
Stumptown originated in Portland and now has shops in New York and Los Angeles, but Kyoto is its only international location. The moment you step in, you’ll probably hear English—several American staff members were working during our visit.
As someone who just came back from Seattle, I happened to have bought Stumptown beans at Target (USD 17.49 → sale 14.99 + tax). In Japan, the beans sell for ¥3,200 + tax, and the shop even has a flavor-matching quiz on their official website.
A must-visit whether you stay at Ace or not.
Ace Hotel Kyoto Photo Booth
Do not miss the green-curtained Photo Booth at the café entrance.
- Only ¥600
- Multi-language interface
- The machine guides your poses (so photos come out naturally)
- You can choose one large print or two small strips
- QR code lets you download one digital file
- Additional frames or video files are add-ons
We loved the machine so much we came back the next day to take a second set on my birthday.
Even if you’re not staying at Ace, you should still stop by to take photos. The booth is one of the most iconic parts of the hotel. Saw one in Sydney but it was under repair.
Lunch at Kōsa – Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Ace Hotel Kyoto has multiple dining options:
- Piopiko (Mexican)
- Mr. Maurice’s Italian
- Mr. Maurice’s Rooftop Bar
- Kōsa (farm-to-table, led by chef Katy Cole)
We chose Kōsa for its autumn-themed lunch menu, and it turned out to be a highlight of the trip. You can reserve it easily and see the menu online.
🌿 Atmosphere
Hidden inside a courtyard-like area, the restaurant opens into a serene view—like suddenly being transported to a quiet mountain retreat.
When we sat down, we even spotted a turtledove hopping across the balcony. This restaurant is actually where Noma had their Kyoto pop up.
🍽 Lunch Set (¥5,000 + 10%)
Incredibly good value for Kyoto. We enjoyed every bite.
Starters:
- Sea bream carpaccio
- Seared maitake mushrooms
Served with home made Focaccia.
Mains:
- Seared Spanish mackerel with zucchini, roasted tomato, and potato puree
- Kyoto duck breast with leek risotto, spinach, and seasonal fruit
Desserts:
- Mini yuzu Basque cheesecake (adorable!)
- Pear & cardamom cake
Drinks:
The iced black tea was shockingly good—balanced, fragrant, and served with premium ice.
I didn’t expect a birthday surprise at lunch, but the staff brought out a candlelit fruit plate—it was the only candle I got to blow on this birthday trip. So thoughtful!
We loved it so much that I immediately told my brother (who happened to be in Kyoto at the same time) to come. Two days later, he went—and loved it too.
Exploring ShinPuhKan
Staying in Ace Hotel Kyoto means you also get access to the beautiful ShinPuhKan building, originally constructed in 1923 as the Kyoto Central Telephone Office and redesigned by Kengo Kuma.
At night, after shops close, the entire wooden corridor becomes calm and atmospheric—perfect for photography.
Nearby you’ll also find:
- Lawson
- McDonald’s
- Multiple drugstores (one store even offers 10% off when you spend ¥10,000+)
If you love shopping for Japanese beauty products, this area is perfect. If you prefer latte with more milk, you have to try lawson latte, my favorite.
Final Verdict: Would We Stay Again? 100% YES.
Ace Hotel Kyoto exceeded every expectation:
- Beautiful architecture and design
- Comfortable rooms with thoughtful amenities
- Great location (Karasuma Oike + ShinPuhKan)
- Fantastic food at Kōsa
- A fun, creative atmosphere
- Stumptown Coffee on site
- The best Ace we’ve stayed at this year
It combines art, culture, hospitality, and design in a way that few Kyoto hotels do.
We’ll absolutely stay here again.
I stayed at the “shopping district” of Kyoto last time, check out my review of Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji Review: A Serene Temple-Stay Experience in the Heart of Kyoto.
Also read:
Where to Stay in Honmachi Osaka: Garner Hotel & THE BASEMENT HOTEL Review (2025)
Ace Hotel Sydney Review 2025: Trendy Design, Vinyl Players & Stylish Stay in Surry Hills
4 comments
Ahhh I’m slowly falling in love with Ace hotels! I really want to stay at this one. The personal music touch of having a vinyl player or guitar is so cute! I’d want the vinyl player since going to used record shops in Japan is my new favorite hobby haha
Wait for my Athens review! I enjoy staying at Ace Hotels as well and I especially recommend Kyoto!
This review is fantastic—so detailed and full of personality! I love how you capture the design-forward vibe of Ace Hotel Kyoto and all the thoughtful touches that make a stay memorable, from the vinyl players to the tea canisters and that gorgeous soaking tub. The art collaborations and Stumptown Coffee alone make it feel like a destination for creatives. And Kōsa sounds incredible, especially with its seasonal menu. Definitely saving this for my Kyoto trip—this place looks like a dream for anyone who loves architecture, style, and great food.
Absolutely! The waiters in Kōsa speaks English as well, one probably from the States and another is from Japan. Ace Hotel Kyoto truly delivers a great experience in all aspects!