Downtown Kyoto Kyoto, Japan
Opened
2020
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Social HeritageOutside the door
The house
Ace HotelArtisanal craft exchange
Interlocking timber ceilings and bold textile art frame a cavernous lobby where locals and travelers share communal tables over espresso.
“Kyoto’s Ace Hotel over-ordered on the coloured paint when decoration its 213 rooms.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Interlocking kigumi timber ceilings meet bold stencil-dyed textile art by Samiro Yunoki.
Remarkable
Locals and travelers mingle over communal lobby tables and rooftop terrace cocktails.
Notable
A converted 1926 red-brick telephone exchange houses loft rooms with arched windows.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Japan
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in The 50 Discovery, Softer Volumes and Wallpaper*.
Kuma’s primary contribution as architect was his powerful revision of an early modernist telephone exchange by Tetsuro Yoshida, a departure from the minimalist-luxe concrete symphonies we’re used to.
“The 27 guestrooms housed in the historic building are a particular highlight. Here, original high ceilings and wide, arced windows create a loft-style ambiance.”
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Set inside the ShinPuhKan complex above Karasuma Oike Station, the hotel is a ten-minute walk from historic Nishiki Market.
The rooms
Deep Japanese soaking tubs, custom Pendleton blankets, and TEAC turntables anchor the interiors, with select suites featuring acoustic guitars.
The gym
Floor-to-ceiling windows look onto the garden courtyard from the gym, and Tokyo-bikes are ready to borrow.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
Stumptown brews espresso in the lobby, and wood-fired pizzas head out to Mr. Maurice's leafy rooftop terrace.
It’s a big, bold and buzzy standout among Kyoto’s generally more sedate ryokan inns, machiya townhouse, and fancy hotels—perfect for those keen to dip a toe into the younger side of the city.
How it began
Modernist architect Tetsuro Yoshida designed the original 1926 red-brick telephone exchange, now fused with a contemporary grid-facade wing.
“Fuses modern design with the 1920s modernist building's original features, bold artwork is balanced by the clean forms of the furniture in each room.”
Good to know
Stay here
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Or book with
Booking.com ExpediaWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or Expedia. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Kyoto
More like this
Kyo No Ondokoro Kamanza Nijo #2
“Restored machiya heirloom”
Hiiragiya Ryokan
“Venerable ryokan sanctum”
Tawaraya Ryokan
“Centuries-old ryokan redoubt”
The Hiramatsu Kyoto
“Restored machiya showpiece”
Node Hotel
“Brutalist art salon”
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
“Heirloom thermal sanctuary”
Kanamean Nishitomiya
“Meiji ryokan bastion”
Sumiya Ryokan
“Heirloom tea lodgings”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.