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The Ace Hotel is Too Grungy for the Fancy New York Times

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  Site Where: 29th St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10001
September 28, 2009 at 10:17 AM | by KatieK | 2 Comments

When we stayed at New York’s Ace Hotel this past spring, we deemed its quirky décor akin to “your cool grandpa's basement apartment.” The New York Times, who finally got around to checking in to the new spot, describes it as “a bit too redolent of the past, with grungy (albeit deliberately grungy) furniture and shoddy detailing that make the rooms feel insubstantial.”

Here’s something we all agree on, though: The location is weird. Enough said.

Highlights: The bathroom has a whimsical touch: a faux-Victorian mirror that reads “Love is Meant to Make us Glad.” The writer also seemed to like the soap-on-a-rope over the sink as a way to combat “slimy bar syndrome.” Wi-Fi is free with iMacs available in hallway niches.

Lowlights: “Odd encounters…with poorly trained employees.” And though the writer admits an “indie band would have a great time jamming” in the rooms, he found the “unadorned black and white walls and harsh lighting depressing.” Plus, he found the signature Pendleton blanket “scratchy” and the traffic noises filtering in through the window distracting.

Bottom line: “The Ace has lots of quirks,” writes the NYT. “At $259 a night (the current price of the smallest rooms, some of which have bunk beds) to $499 (the going rate for rooms like the one I occupied), they may not seem so charming, or its shabby-chic style so appealing.”

[Photo: Angel Franco/The New York Times]

2 Comments

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  1. juliana

    HotelChatter Editor

    the nabe

    the nabe is sooo sketch. but its just right for the Ace brand ya know? and it totally reminds me of the old NYC when there were like only 4 acceptable parts of the city to visit. that said, it's definitely not a great hotel for first time visitors to NYC bc of the location. maybe in time it will get better.
    September 28, 2009 at 10:23 AM
  1. Stan

    HotelChatter Member

    Nothing to do with Ace but...

    ...the phrase "cool grandpa's basement apartment" reminded me of this cool grandpa's basement apartment.
    September 29, 2009 at 7:37 AM

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