Fodor's Expert Review Ace Hotel
929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90015, United States See on Map
This Downtown hotel gem embodies chicness without pretension. Built in 1927, the hotel combines the best of old-school classics with modern flair. Considered to be a “lifestyle brand," everything here is aimed at giving guests an experience--not just a hotel stay. Hanging at the hotel, you’ll find a mix of artists, writers, hipsters, and fashionistas drinking, eating, and working on their creative endeavors.
YOU SHOULD KNOW It definitely skews younger--think mid-20s to mid-40s--so it's not exactly a family-friendly spot, though not a raging party scene either.
room
Bed linens are outfitted with Pendleton Blankets and robes are provided by Wings+Horns in boxing style. The mini-bar has condoms in it, so, uh, just so you know, those are there.
bathroom
Although the white marble sink and shower are displayed for all to see, the toilet is actually hidden behind a wall on the opposite side of the room. Inside the door are facts and anecdotes of Hollywood stars that date back to 1927. Bath products are supplied by Rudy’s Barbershop.
lobby
Black and white checkered floors lead patrons into the narrow lobby area flanked by a welcoming reception desk on the left and the hotel’s signature restaurant, LA Chapter, on the right. Library books adorn the walls alongside Haas Brother’s cartoons. The lobby isn’t much of a hangout, but there is a photo booth in the reception area, so that's fun.
pool
Upstairs at the Ace is both the rooftop pool and lounge area. During weekend days, locals and guests can be found bopping their heads to chill DJ-spun tunes, or taking in a movie during their outdoor screening nights.
YOU SHOULD KNOW As LA pools go, this one is surprisingly small.
gym
The gym is small but features all the requisite equipment (weights, treadmills, etc.) for a full workout. There’s also a heavy bag if guests want to wear their boxing robes and pretend they’re gearing up for a fight.
dining
The hotel’s main restaurant, LA Chapter, features farm-to-table fair and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s an attached coffee shop with sumptuous pastries and for locals looking for drinks, a full bar with craft cocktails. Guests can also find food at Upstairs, the hotel’s rooftop lounge, that features more Middle Eastern flavors. Room service starts at 6am and closes at 11pm.
drinking
Upstairs at the Ace is a full bar and lounge with a Moroccan-themed tinge. Banquettes line the walls under heat lamps and nightly programming ranges from DJs and trivia to acoustic performances and pop-up parties. The bar here usually gets pretty crowded, but guests should be guaranteed room to drink.
LOCATION
Getting Around
While there are a handful of metro stations throughout Downtown LA, most destination spots in the area are walkable or within a 10-minute drive. There are some parts of the area where you may not want to find yourself walking around at night. The good news is that Uber and Lyft drivers are practically everywhere, so hail a ride service and safely get to where you need to go.
Restaurants
LA Chapter at the hotel is great, but if you’re craving Japanese, Shibumi (3-minute walk) is a kappo-style restaurant with unique dishes. For Italian lovers, Terroni (6-minute walk) features mouthwatering pastas and pizzas. Grand Central Market (17-minute walk) has dozens of food vendors for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
WHY WE LIKE IT
We love how the hotel caters to a mix of creative types by doing everything in its power to keep its guests active and entertained. There are ample restaurants and bars all within walking distance and the attached United Artists Theatre is an incredible venue to see a show. Some of the rooms feature guitars that guests are encouraged to play and the hotel also rents out bikes free of charge.
QUICK FACTS
Fodor’s Awards
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