Within every detail of the guest rooms as well as the entire complex, you can acknowledge the hands-on precise developments upon the playful spirit as well as the respect for craftsmanship in layered history and culture of Japan local by their independent hotel styles.
Known for the creative DIY community design spirit of Atelier Ace renovated almost 100 years old hotel turned into “Ace Hotel” Portland in Oregon’s 1999.
Their fair- local independent hotel style impacted heavily especially in the hotel industry as a trigger of phenomenon in the era of lifestyle hotel. Ace Hotel organically branched to several cities domestically globally. In 2020, Ace Hotel Kyoto opened upon the concept of “East meets West”, during the middle of the intense pandemic time.
Ace Hotel Kyoto interior was designed by the Ace Hotel design team, Commune Design associated with the Japanese architecture firm of Kengo Kuma for the architecture design. Conducted by Kuma, it is noticeable in the element of sustainability and the area development around the hotel complex :
The exterior and the entire site has pleasantly developed. A selective, neutral, fine taste boutiques and conceptual lifestyle shops allocated by the hotel and direct subway elevator to Karasumaruike station. It is a prime location for business, cultural, and epicure.
The courtyard area is designed to be utilizing a communal open area. A botanical and earthy colors they used in the area ensures less impact on the authentic environment of Kyoto but still features the concept of Ace Hotel which transmits local community and their cross-cultural modern styles are well aligned.
The hotel building and the courtyard area is architecturally designed like a basin landscape to feel an open air circulation from top to bottom and spread neatly which describes the landscape of Kyoto.
On the opposite end of the hill top, there is a stunning rooftop bar/restaurant, “Mr. Mauree’s Italian & Rooftop Bar”. You can dine in and overlook the view of the courtyard from the rooftop as if you are on top of the basin.
The original building of the courtyard and shop area is called Shinpukan where built in 1928, the authenticity remains itself , also the tangible cultural assets.
The interior of Ace Hotel Kyoto made good use of the original architecture : their historic suites side has a profound and classical nostalgics – from the high-ceilinged lobby and corridors to the window frames in the guest rooms. It used to be an old Kyoto Central Telephone Building.
The hotel atrium lobby is spacious and chic. A fusion of the grand and vintage modern. In parallel, the Kyoto-atmosphere at the front is authentic and refined.
“Stomptown Coffee Roasters Kyoto “, is Stomptown Coffee Roasters’s first overseas launch where you can have hand-made pastries and various simple quality coffees ( Kyoto is renowned for coffee because of the quality water and in the basin landscape ) where directly connected with the Shinpukan courtyard area to the hotel. They also offer the refreshing tasty burritos from Mexican restaurant, “PIOPIKO” : a breathtaking, handsome looking contemporary Mexican restaurant on the second floor and mezzanine with the Michelin rock-star chef! Definitely worth a visit.
You can enjoy these coffee and snacks at the cafe, take out to a guest room, or at the hotel lobby to enjoy the atmosphere outside as well as the gallery artworks in the lobby.
Overall, the thoughtfully designed for the relaxed flow of the entire area is almost mindfulness and impressive.
The colour scheme and décor of Ace Hotel Kyoto are a fusion of earthy colours with a subtle amount of vivid color artworks by Japanese craft artists.
There are several types of guest rooms, especially barrier-free Japanese-style rooms with a bar counter and Ryukyu tatami floor is suitable for families and groups : the crews visit room to bed make ( futon sets ), just like in a way how Ryokan( Japanese style accommodation ) serves.
Popular standard twin rooms, especially “Historic Twin”, have a simple, quality bed area with impressive tall classic windows and a living area with a vintage modern style sofa, allowing you to enjoy the cosy space to make your stay special.
All guest rooms have the vintage modern Japanese style special slate stone tile bathtub with custom made aesthetic amenities which makes your Kyoto stay more relaxed and memorable
( You will be surprised by how firm bath ( water ) culture exists in the Kyoto local community ).
All guest rooms are well designed to allow you to relax and enjoy private time, with hobbies, and space in your own individual way.
There are larger suites that are often used for wedding after parties and the suits have a turntable and slim bar area. Osaka based independent music store, “rare groove” selected Ace Hotel Kyoto’s vinyl library and apparently some guests bring in their favorite vinyl for gifts which is a very nice way of cultural education exchange and guest relations established.
Ace Hotel was designed for musician friends – that was one of the original ideas of how Ace Hotel started : how lovely to have a selection of guest rooms with handsome classic tall windows, guitar, and turntable with vintage modern design meets Japanese crafts besides accommodated by fair and thoughtful “think globally act locally ” ambassadors of Kyoto.
This definitely makes Kyoto stay even cozier, enriched, and more efficient whether it’s for private or business purposes.
Profoundly, there’s often local students visit the hotel for viewing as part of the career education. From next year of 2023, Ministry of cultural media department is moving to Kyoto which means Kyoto become more affirmative capital city of culture and arts community in academic also. I personally think it’s logical for new generations to visit for educational purposes for hospitality and tangible architectural ( and real estate ) sustainability.
From their identity and philosophy, it makes sense how they describe Ace Hotel Kyoto as “ A love letter to the capital culture city of Japan “.
While listening to their music playlist and think of the ambient of Kyoto, I am already longing for a return to Ace Hotel Kyoto.
Kyoto Calling.
Location Reference :
Address : 245-2 Kurumaya-Cho, Chukyo-Ku, Kyoto-City, Kyoto 604-8185
Guest room numbers : 213 , Room size from 30 sqm ( 9 types : King/Twin/Tatami/Suite )
