Ace Hotel, which operates hotels in cities across the United States and Europe, has opened its first hotel in Asia, Ace Hotel Kyoto. Originally scheduled to open on April 16th, the opening was postponed and the hotel is now finally set to open on June 11th. Advance reservations began on January 28th on the hotel's dedicated website (https://www.acehotel.com/kyoto/).

©Stephen Kent Johnson

Ace Hotel Kyoto will be located within the ShinPuhkan complex, which consists of the historic former Kyoto Central Telephone Exchange, built in 1926, and an extension to the existing building on the premises. Commune Design Inc., the popular Los Angeles-based design studio that is handling the hotel's interior design, has also designed many hotels operated by Ace Hotels, and this marks their fourth collaboration, following the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, Downtown Los Angeles, and Chicago.

©Courtesy of Kengo Kuma & Associates
The hotel's interior design incorporates the mutual cultural admiration that has existed between the West and the East, and was inspired by Charlotte Perriand and J.B. Blunk, two creators who were deeply impressed by Japanese design and "Japanese-ness" and incorporated beauty, functionality, and elegance into their work.

Ace Hotel Kyoto guest room image
©Stephen Kent Johnson

Principal designer Roman Alonso, in charge of the project's design, commented, "The design concept for this hotel is based on the exchange between East and West through art and traditional crafts. With the involvement of many people based in Kyoto, the project is moving toward realization."

In addition, a commercial facility will open at ShinPuhKan on the same day as Ace Hotel Kyoto. The architectural design was overseen by architect Kengo Kuma, who also worked on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
Last updated: June 10th
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