Place
Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Ace Hotel reinvents the urban hotel for the people who make cities interesting. We crave experience more than hospitality clichés. We are curious about the historic buildings we inhabit, and let them guide us to someplace both fresh and familiar. Our sensibility is democratic and inclusive. We appeal to a broad spectrum of travelers directly, without reducing everything to the lowest common denominator. Ace is built around collaborations and friendships with local designers, artists and independent businesses.
HISTORY
Formerly the Breslin Hotel, the historic property that houses Ace Hotel New York has always been full of life. Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen were neighbors; "Diamond Jim" Brady (the inspiration for Marlon Brando's Guys & Dolls character) was a regular; visionary filmmaker, musicologist and painter Harry Smith lived there, too. There's a mural about him in the lobby -- come see it sometime.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Built in 1904 as part of what would become an avenue of hotels, the property was situated in the Times Square of the turn of the century -- an area full of clubs and restaurants, and New York's first neighborhood to be electrified with lighting and signage. Also known as NoMad, the area is filled with history and amazing architecture. It's in the middle of Manhattan with convenient access to pretty much everything. Ace Hotel New York is a few blocks from Madison Square Garden, and right next to a Metro stop that will get you anywhere in the city. Talk to the staff to get their ideas on cool stuff to do in town.
DESIGN
We worked with New York firm Roman & Williams to design the hotel interiors. Their aesthetic mixes objects, lighting and finishes from different eras to reflect a sense of unconventionality and freedom. While the lobby is layered and historical, the rooms are more efficient. A clothes rack Roman & Williams made from bent plumbing pipes with hanging steel boxes replaces a closet, and references the neighborhood’s fashion-world history. Pipes also appear in the bath accessories and desk legs, showing how stock materials can be re-appropriated to make something elegant but simple, unfussy and ultimately anti-design. Chalkboard paint on the walls and paintings & murals by emerging artists individualize each room.
DINING, SHOPPING AND EVENT SPACE
There is a big, flexible event space in the basement called Liberty Hall, as well as The Boardroom -- both are great for parties, meetings, events and anything you can think of. On the ground floor we have Stumptown Coffee, The Breslin Bar & Dining Room, The John Dory Oyster Bar and No. 7 Sub for eats and drinks. Opening Ceremony and No. 8a provide unique and unusual shopping. Find more info on the Events, Dining and Shopping pages, respectively.
