Review: Ace Hotel Brooklyn

Why book? The Ace is bringing its tried-and-true mix of lobby culture and impeccable design to the fringe of Brooklyn’s bustling downtown.

Set the scene The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore—including an extra-long, library-style table; a plant-filled garden with a full ceiling of skylights; and a moody bar area with cozy seating—and plenty of guests, locals, and Ace staff making use of them all. The Wi-Fi is free, outlets are plentiful, lobby happy hour kicks off at 5 p.m. and options for meeting up with friends or colleagues—or even taking a quiet Zoom call—are endless. (Plus, the hotel is dog-friendly, so when I sat down to get work done, it was next to two very well-behaved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Darcy and Bingley.) It’s all part of Ace’s mission to involve the neighborhood in the hotel’s success, as much as the guests. Here, that actually starts outside, on the aptly named “Stoop,” with two concrete picnic tables in front of the entrance to invite passersby to take a beat and relax.

The backstory Ace Hotel is known for opening in neighborhoods on the rise, ever since its first hotel opened in a former Salvation Army halfway house in Seattle. The one exception may be its Manhattan outpost, just south of the Empire State Building. So, for its second New York hotel, Ace chose to skip Williamsburg and head to South Brooklyn, parking itself in a no-man’s-land between the borough’s downtown area and leafy Boerum Hill neighborhood. Is it New York’s shiniest or cleanest area? No—but it’s smack in the bustle of Brooklyn, across from a Goodwill and a few residential high-rises and within walking distance of Barclay’s Center, with access to some of the city’s most connected subway lines and buses. And that’s exactly in line with the Ace spirit.

The rooms With 287 rooms, the Ace Hotel Brooklyn is the brand’s largest opening yet and the third under the creative direction of Roman and Williams. Many of the hallmarks of Ace decor are here: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of color (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also leans into the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows. For guests on the north side, those windows offer a Rear Window-style view into the neighboring high rise—and I can only imagine vice-versa, so consider asking for a west-facing room if the view, or privacy, is a priority. At just about 300 square-feet, the queen and king rooms from $249 are well appointed for New York, with desks, petite sofas, Smeg mini-fridges, and spacious bathrooms with Rudy’s Barbershop amenities. Larger rooms and suites feature similar interiors, but with turntables and records curated by Rough Trade.

Food and drink Chain restaurants rule in downtown Brooklyn, and those to the south are the type of locals-only spots that you aren’t likely to find on any best restaurants list, setting the Ace’s restaurant apart from the rest. As You Are serves up a “menu inspired by the multitude of culinary traditions brought to Brooklyn from around the world:” Think lamb ribs, latkes, whole roasted ducks, and baked clams. While the mains are delicious, it’s the apps and the desserts that drew me in—crispy Brussels sprouts with a tangy sauce gribiche and the strawberry-watermelon sorbet were return-worthy. But dinner isn’t the only meal served up in this ground-floor space. I stayed just days before the restaurant’s coffee and pastry bar was set to open. Led by pastry aficionado Danny Alvarez, formerly of Manhattan’s beloved Daily Provisions bakery, it offers goodies like bean, egg, chorizo, and focaccia breakfast sandwiches, Portuguese pastéis de nata, and coffee from local micro-roastery Sey between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The neighborhood/area In an area filled with Hampton Inns, this is a delightful addition. But, it’s the kind of place you stay on your second, third, or 20th time in New York. It’s best for travelers who prefer the subway, are prepared for the streets to always be busy, and know that the city’s best restaurants, shops, and bars are found by wandering around new neighborhoods aimlessly. It should only be a first timer’s pick if you’re here just for a show at Barclay’s or are visiting people who live in the area.

The service Service here is casual but helpful—the front desk sits within a gift shop stocked with Ace merch and local artisans’ work. Pop by for anything you need (extra toothbrush, directions, etc.).

Accessibility There are no stairs on the entire ground level which comprises the lobby, lobby bar, workspaces, restaurant, and Stoop. Elevators connect you to the rest of the hotel, which features explicitly accessible rooms.

Anything left to mention? It’s not often I feel the need to mention a hotel gym—but this gym is stellar, and not just because of its functional equipment. The Ace team partnered with Yeah, I Work Out, a streetwear-meets-gym apparel brand, to design the third-floor gym, filling it with vintage equipment, ‘80s wrestling trophies, and bodybuilder posters. It feels opposite to the usual boxy, white, stark hotel gyms I’m used to—in the best possible way. It’s not particularly big, but it’s filled with more than enough character to get you through your workout.