Who knows how many millions of dollars in deals have been inked over a macchiato in the lobby of the Ace Hotel since it opened in 2009. A conservative (but totally unscientific) estimate puts the number in the low eight figures. The lobby, after all, crawls with VC guys, tech start up CEOs and an army of the self-employed. The hotel, on 29th Street, is right up the street from Manhattan’s Tech Alley. Tumblr, Foodspotting, and Hunch are nearby. The Facebook guys stay there when they’re in town. The coffee is strong (and courtesy of Stumptown) and the restaurants, The Breslin, April Bloomfield's restaurant, offers seasonal menus focused on a nose-to-tail philosophy for hearty meat-centric plates and lighter vegetable fare alike. The lobby, a hybrid between the New York Public Library Reading Room and a gentleman’s parlour, has desks with power outlets; free wifi, comfortable chairs, taxidermy, and Single Malts. The draw is apparent.
The 12 story hotel has 269 rooms which range from bunk beds to corner lofts. Each carry the heritage chic of the lobby, with Pendelton blankets, bespoke artwork and vinyl record players. Clean but not spare, the rooms are as peaceful as the lobby is bustling and it’s the perfect place to relax after a night of networking.
: the new paradigm of healthcare beginning with prevention.
I love the lobby here, and I’ve never had poor service. That said, while the FC rate is competitive, the black out dates come a little too often.