Ace Hotel New York

The location was excellent, the staff were friendly, and it was handy having a cafe attached with good food. But for a last-minute business trip just before Christmas, I paid more than $600 per night for a small bunk room that was smaller than expected and had no desk, making meetings difficult. Several things in the room were broken. The chair was damaged, though they replaced it quickly. The iron leaked water on my clothes, the shower handle came off when I tried to turn it on, and the heating unit cover was loose. The lighting was very poor, and the room felt dark. One evening, a note under my door said the hotel would shut off the water for several hours that night, with no alternative arrangements mentioned. The only drinking water in the room was a $9 bottle in the fridge. Everything in the minibar cost extra, even the coffee. It wouldn’t take much to improve this, and it certainly needs it.

The lobby and lounge have a warm, comfortable, modern look, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and seemed to enjoy being there. The room was clean and functional, with nice indirect lighting, but didn’t live up to the style and thoughtfulness of the staff, lounge, and other shared spaces. Its walls were bare, and the furnishings were noticeably less stylish and comfortable. Would I stay again? Possibly.

The hotel feels full of character, and the lobby is somewhere you actually want to spend time. There are plenty of couches, lounge chairs, and tables, plus a full bar and coffee shop. The location is perfect for getting around quickly, and the holiday-season lobby was warm and festive without trying too hard. Our room was comfortable, and I loved the decor and guitar. Shoutout to David at the front desk, who knows the hotel and neighborhood like the back of his hand and was always professional, warm, and welcoming. I’d stay again in a heartbeat, especially around the holidays.

The great matcha in the lobby, rooms, and general atmosphere made a good impression, but two things got in the way. The windows aren’t soundproof, so there’s noise. And when I called about a late checkout extension, the front desk interaction surprised me. Earlier in the day, the person I spoke to was lovely and very kind. When I called back to extend, he told me it would be $200 for another two hours. After I replied, he hung up on me. I haven’t had such a rude interaction in years.