Japanese hospitality group Seibu Prince Hotels has acquired the Ace Hotels business, as it bids to create a truly global hospitality empire.
The acquisition, being made via a newly established US subsidiary, will include the brand’s parent company, Ace Group International, plus its creative agency, Atelier Ace. With eight open hotels, the brand is poised for further growth under its new ownership.
Growth planned in major gateway cities
Currently, Ace has hotels in key global cities including New York, Kyoto, Sydney and Toronto. Most recently, the brand opened in Greece, with the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens. There are a number of pipeline projects planned, including an additional Japanese Ace hotel, due to open in Fukuoka in 2027.
“Ace has established itself as a leader in experiential hospitality, with a proven ability to create destinations that resonate across cultures and markets,” said Ace CEO Chris Penn. “Our partnership with Seibu Prince provides the platform to accelerate expansion, strengthen our market presence, and deliver long-term value, while staying true to Ace’s distinct hospitality model rooted in cultural engagement and creative expression.”
For Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, adding the Ace business helps shift it towards an aspiration to grow to a global portfolio of 250 hotels by 2035. Currently the business has 86 hotels, plus also operates 31 golf courses and ten ski resorts.
“The fit between our two companies is powerful,” said Yoshiki Kaneda, president & CEO of SPW. “Seibu Prince brings scale, infrastructure, and development expertise across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, while Ace has deep credibility and a proven track record in North America and Europe. By combining these strengths, we can expand faster and more effectively together.”
In autumn 2025, Seibu Prince was preparing to open the Prince Hotel Da Nang in Vietnam. A strategic expansion into the country, the project has seen the rebranding of the former Sel de Mer Hotel Suites. Each of the 164 rooms and suites enjoy a view of the city, or the peaceful beach, while the property has a stunning infinity pool on its rooftop.
A strategic brand fit
Ace will join a portfolio of existing brands within the business. These include Grand Prince, Prince Akatoki, Park Proxi, Park Regis, Policy, Prince Hotel and Leisure Inn. Currently the group is working on a new hotel in Thailand, with Prince Akatoki Riverside Bangkok due to launch in late 2026. The hotel will have 255 rooms, and is destined to become a hub for Japanese visitors taking a trip to the Thai capital.
While a visionary hotel brand, Ace has not always proved successful in every location, and its new owners will be aiming for a stronger operational discipline and careful site selection, to ensure successful growth. The Ace name has previously arrived, and then departed, from a number of key city markets including London, Chicago and New Orleans.
Source: tophotel.news
