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Is it an Ace or an ACME? Chicago’s Latest Hotel Copycat, But In a Good Way

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 15 East Ohio [map], Chicago, IL, United States, 60611
February 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM | by | Comments (0)

Look out, Chicago, another new boutique hotel will be popping up on your fertile grounds this spring, taking up residence in River North where the former Comfort Inn & Suites (15 E. Ohio) once stood. Set to open this May, the new indie cool Ace Hotel ACME Hotel Property promises to deliver a casual, design-driven experience for the younger, more technically savvy set.

A game changer in many ways, the ACME Hotel represents Chicago’s first real foray into hipster affordability. And much as we try, we can’t avoid the elephant in the room. ACME throws so many in-your-face similarities to the edgy, affordable Ace brand that it’s impossible not to call a spade a spade… or an ace an ace. Look at that nearly-curated, minimalist design, the cool-footed floors, the canvas wall art — even the ACME logo (check it here screams knock off.)

But ACME’s proprietors, also the same creators of the dana hotel and spa, don’t deny the robbery. Instead they see it as simply taking inspiration from a playful, urban muse to bring something to Chicago that wasn’t already there: a design-centric hotel for creative, social hipsters without a lotta dough.

Made up of 130 new rooms, including 25 suites, that will follow $3 million plus in floor-to-ceiling renovations, rates at the ACME will start at $150 per night— a great deal by any measure.

Like the Ace, industrial design concepts and a grittier ambiance will prevail. Guests will enter the hotel through a wood-beamed, domed entry and come upon a lounge and bar space that aims to be the hub of social activity—another Ace Brand principle.

For all its similarities, the ACME also promises some originality (sigh). Furnishings and décor, while a little more vanilla, also look to be slightly more luxurious and refined than the anti-luxury Ace. Bold uses of color make for more eye-candy and inspiration, and leave rooms feeling more modern than rugged. At the risk of being less edgy, ACME has potential to be more approachable and comfortable.

“Do Your Thing” is ACME’s tagline and we kinda buy it given the hotel’s techie focus. Guests can jump on free 100-MB-bandwidth WiFi, crank Bon Iver or Nicki Minaj on Bowers & Wilkens Zeppelin audio systems (think room party!), or stream their own movies and content through 46” LED TVs with easy Apple and HDMI connections.

[Photos: ACME Chicago]

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