Ace recently opened a location in NYC, and I've been meaning to get there, but haven't had a chance yet. So it's very strange that my first Ace experience actually happened on the opposite coast of the country! We were visiting friends in Portland, and we had requested a trip up to Seattle to check out the city. Our friend booked the Ace Hotel, which was very serendipitous indeed!
The week before we left, I had called to request a change in my room from the shared bath room to one with a private bath. The person told me I was all set, gave me the new price, and everything. Then we got there, and they had no record of me ever calling! That could have been very frustrating (I'm pregnant, and the idea of traipsing down the hallway to the bathroom five times during the night was NOT cool), but luckily they had a room with a private bath available, and at the same price they had told me on the phone. Phew.
The hotel is minimalist at its best, as clean lines and refreshing art work abound. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. Our friends, who were on the floor above us, said it was pretty loud at night, but we had an air conditioner in our room, and it must have drowned out all of the noise (in addition to keeping us cool as cucumbers). I guess that's another benefit of getting a room with a private bath!
The breakfast was nice, as I enjoyed the DIY waffles. But I just wanted some water to drink with them, and there was no water to be found. There was orange juice and there was milk, there was tea and there was Stumptown coffee. But there was no water. Well, there was water in the vending machine. But when I put my dollar bill in, the machine took it, and then claimed I gave it no money at all. Fail. So that was my only complaint with the breakfast, and had I not been pregnant, I would have been happy with the vast tea selection (but they were all caffeinated).
Anyways, the housekeeping staff was really friendly, as was the desk attendant. We had a lot in common, since he was from MA originally, so it was nice to talk to him. Overall this place gets a big thumbs up, and we'll definitely be staying at the Ace on our next trip to NYC. read more