• A laid back, bohemian, West Coast personality that combines cool and affordable, plonked into the centre of Manhattan.
• A return to a more robust, less pretentious lifestyle in Manhattan.
The Whole Story
The thing that makes Ace interesting is their manifesto. Here is a hospitality group that has really thought about what they want a hotel to be. In a nutshell they want their hotel to be an experience and to be democratic; as in available to a greater group than just the high income elite. Most of all, they want to avoid hospitality clichés, and they have. Ace Hotel New York is located in the latest area of Manhattan to be reinvented. NoMad, as in North of Madison Square Park, is a zone filled with architectural jewels that was once known as the Times Square of its day in Manhattan at the turn of the 19th century. Formerly the Breslin Hotel, it is next door to the former residence of “Diamond Jim” Brady (the inspiration for Guys & Dolls) in the geographic centre of Manhattan.
Designed by New York firm Roman & Williams, the aesthetic mixes different styles and periods in an unconventional yet stylish way. They (the owners of Ace) describe it, in their own low key West Coast way, as “a little bohemian and a little sophisticated”. New Yorkers would probably prefer the temperature imperative i.e. very hot and very cool. Some of the details, like the bent plumbing that replaces a wardrobe, is rough, and some, like the French doors leading to bathrooms in the deluxe rooms, are very refined. The emphasis ultimately however is on experience, right down to the historically-inspired gastro pub dining room that recalls the saloon and bar culture of late 19th century Manhattan. The thing about Ace is that they are not trying to be different, they are just being themselves. As they say, “We just love doing things our way.”
The Rooms
At Ace it is cool to be democratic, so there are rooms for all categories. VHIP customers stay in Deluxe rooms with choice of queen, king beds or rooms with 2 full size beds. Many deluxe rooms include SMEG Refrigerators, turn tables and vintage furniture. These rooms come with complimentary high speed wireless internet, flat screen TV and an in-room safe. These rooms also offer views of Broadway or 29th Street. (Approximately 278 – 402 sq. ft) Or upgrade to a Loft Room with 711sg ft of space! These corner rooms have banquette seating in the wraparound window, separate living area and a large bathroom with claw foot tub and separate shower on top of the above amenities.