Casual urban hotel that is more New York than New York itself

Ace Hotel / New York City / NY / USA

I wonder if the three friends Alex Calderwood, Wade Weigel and Doug Herrick knew what they were on to back in 1999 when they decided to venture into the hospitality industry by purchasing a former half-way house in Seattle. The ambition was to turn it into a hotel for the creative class. I wonder if they knew that the concept they created were going to have such an immense impact and influence what the modern hotel would be all about. Today we see hotels with living rooms where locals and hotels guests hang out together. We see hotels that manages to attract different style of travelers. We see hotels that offer a range of different kind of rooms, from some without bathrooms all the way to luxury suites under the same roof. This is all down to Ace that blazed all those trails.

Ace Hotel in NYC opened in 2009 and was the fourth opening after Seattle, Portland and Palm Springs. It is situated in the former Hotel Breslin, a 12-story building dating back to 1904 in Midtown. The assignment to turn this run down hotel into a modern design hotel was given to Roman & Williams and they have managed to create a look that appears almost like un-decorated. There is a vintage vibe that starts already in the lobby with an original stained-glass ceiling, original mosaic floors, oak paneling and a contrasting pop of red. The feeling they aimed for when designing the lobby is grand yet relaxed, mysterious yet familiar.

There is a total of 258 rooms where the color scheme is charcoal grey, black and white with plaid textiles and retro lighting and accessories. In our room there was an acoustic guitar, a turntable for our vinyls (there is a selection of records already waiting for you in your room) and a retro Smeg refrigerator. But never mind our room. At Ace hotel you spend very little time in your room, especially if you are me. Then every waking hour is spent in and around the lobby where the creative class come to play. And sometimes work. But mostly just to hang.

Welcome to Ace Hotel NYC! A 12-story building from the beginning of the 20th century in Midtown.

Finally! I have been wanting to stay here for some time and now I am finally here.

The reception is tucked away in the corner of lobby. I love the original mosaic floor and the dark almost mysterious look.

Our vintage looking room. Charcoal grey, black and white are the main colors. And a lot of wood.

All the rooms have different looking back drops. The radio is always on when you enter your room which makes the room feel homey.

The French Bistro pattern in the shower is a great way to give it a vintage look.

My first ever room with a guitar. Unfortunately I don’t play…

The corridors look like something out of a scary movie. Dark and mysterious.

The lobby has a very grand feeling with columns and stained-glass windows in the ceiling. I was taking this photo early in the morning (Thanks, Mr Jet Lag!) so that’s why it is so empty. During the day this space is filled with people working (or at least pretending to).

M has opened his laptop found a place and trying to blend in with the locals. The only problem is he is the only one awake.

The hotel shops at Ace hotels have the best selection of stuff. And this one in NYC is no exception.

The pop of red in the lobby gives the hotel a mysterious almost seedy look. In a good way. Ok, time to (reluctantly) leave the hotel and explore NYC.

Where there is an Ace hotel, there is a Stumptown Coffee. And I don’t object. Their coffee is delicious!

The fun, whimsical Little Island park is sitting in the Hudson River. Opened in May 2021 and is a perfect place to enjoy a stroll and a picnic in the sun.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…like me, love the whole hipster thing. The people that come here are so fascinating that M had to drag me away from the lobby since I just wanted to grab a coffee from Stumptown Coffee next door, sit there and people watch and eavesdrop to conversations. If you want to belong to the creative class and live out your NYC fantasy, this is where you should stay when in NY.

My favorite thing about this place is…

…well… I think I kind of already gave this away. It is the people. Yes, the hotel (like all Ace hotels) looks great but the people here are so fascinating and into their thing that they somehow make the hotel look and feel even better. I know it might sound strange but you feel it as soon as you enter the lobby. it is a certain kind of vibe that feels so good to be embraced by.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…hmm… I kind of always struggle with this question when it comes to hotels in cities like NYC. I mean, what to choose? If I was to mention something I think I would say to go for a walk to Little Island in the Hudson River, on the west side of Manhattan (you can see a photo above). A great example of a creative urban park. A recommendation is to buy some food and other goodies from nearby Chelsea Market (Hello Fat Witch Brownies!) and enjoy it here - al fresco style.

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Ace Hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA

Ace Hotel, Downtown LA, California, USA

Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs, California, USA