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The Location and Foundation

Located on 29th and Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan Flatiron district, The Ace is a hip hotel in an unhip hood. In what was once the Hotel Breslin and SRO, the landmarked 1904 building has been completely renovated, while maintaining some of the building’s original details from mosaic tiled floors to coffered ceilings. With 258 rooms and 12 floors, Ace NY is the fourth outpost of Seattle’s Ace Hotel mini chain formed in 1999. The most prominent owner, Alex Calderwood, has been praised for starting a “new breed of hotels” and is known for throwing parties for grunge bands like Pearl Jam and opening a very cool barbershop in Seattle.

The Vibe

Celeb designers Roman and Williams who made the Standard weird but cool and the Royalton’s lobby less stuffy were hired to create the Ace vibe. More than 70 artists were commissioned to create unique artwork for the rooms and public spaces, including graffiti sticker art by Michael Anderson and one-of-a-kind mural artistry in the rooms.

The result is industrial and artsy, yet vintage-inspired –with a Northwest grunge plaid flair. The Ace does not try to be something it’s not. It is cool, hip and comfortable, offering simple affordability without sacrifice.

The Lobby

The lobby of the hotel boasts flea market finds and oh-so dim lighting. Library style tables fill the main part of the lobby, where locals sit by day with their laptops plugging away… by night, bands play while locals transform the lobby into a local bar. Though noisy, it does seems to stay within the lobby walls.

The Rooms

Starting under $200, the rooms are small but not too small — by New York standards. They are quiet for the most part. From the moment you walk into your room, you are transported away from those typical Danish Boutique hotels of Manhattan, to a plaid hipster chic apartment vibe. The atmosphere seems to cater to creative types. Rooms feature vintage turntables, SMEG fridges, and are adorned with understated industrial cool. Eco-friendly trimmings, such as New York Times vintage newspapers and vintage black and white photos reused as wallpaper show up in various places of the hotel. The hotel caters to a broader audience allowing for a more affordable clientele with their bunk-bed rooms and “cheap” rooms.

The Bar and Dining: The Breslin Bar and Dining Room

April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, owners of Michelin-starred restaurant The Spotted Pig, opened their new English-style restaurant inside the Ace. The hearty, meat-centric menu emphasizes artisanal products, small growers and farmers, and seasonality. The Breslin menu embraces “nose-to-tail” cuisine methodologies and offers handmade terrines, sausages, and charcuterie. There is a no-reservations policy but guests get priority seating.

Stumptown Coffee, a Portland Based coffee roaster, is attached to the hotel. Dressed in Rogue-Gypsy-meets-Farrell’s-Parlor garb, the friendly, cash-only counter staff will egg you on to feast on their fresh pastries and add whip to your amazing mocha latte. They have close partnerships with farms and believe that working together year after year results in the highest level of quality. They know their Joe.

The Amenities

• Event Space – Liberty Hall below the main lobby.
• Wi-fi throughout the hotel
• Gym
• Several business centers

The Shopping

Opening Ceremony carries a clever assortment of travel necessities, celeb and top designer clothes for men and women and tasty British treats.
No 8 has the strangest mix of international oddities you can’t get anywhere but in NYC.

The Critique

Friendly, solid service. Subway station is a block away and the hotel is within walking distance to Union Square. Too-Cool hipster vibe. Excellent Dining with Creative Luxury at fair prices. Recommended!

Read more about the Ace Hotel New York at http://www.acehotel.com/newyork.

-Kia

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tags: Ace Hotel, Alex Calderwood, April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, Flatiron District, Michael Anderson, Midtown Manhattan, New York, No8, Opening Ceremony, Roman and Williams, Stumptown Coffee, The Breslin Bar, Travel

One Response to “The Ace Hotel New York: Hipster Central”

1. Stainless Steel Fridges says:

   July 21, 2010 at 8:16 am

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