Tour of Ace Hotels Around The World.

Ace Hotels really do live up to their name. Each one has a unique style, a fascinating history, and an Ace Philosophy at its heart. For Ace, hospitality is “compassion” and the hotel is a “potential for real, fluid community.” Ace Hotels are iconic around the world for their fresh approach and for changing the way of the hotel industry across the board. Since Alex Calderwood, the late founder of Ace Hotels, decided to convert a maritime workers’ hotel in Seattle with his friends and open the first Ace Hotel in 1999, hotels haven’t been the same. With passionate, creative ideas driving them, Ace has lead the way for boutique hotels with a difference.

Despite the fact that hipster accommodation with vintage furniture and street art can be seen everywhere these days, the use of up-cycled furniture, contemporary art and unconventional design choices, was far from the norm in 1999. Communal bathrooms and a strong focus on central meeting areas and spaces that support cultural activities was also new to the hotel industry. A parallel club/centre is one of Ace’s main characteristics – between the six hotels there’s a theatre, swimming club and events hall, plus numerous hotel-specific bars and cafes. Ace Hotels really are much more than a place to sleep.

The seven Ace Hotels are spread all around the world: New York, Panama, Los Angeles, Seattle, Palm Springs and Portland, with London Shoreditch being the most recent to open in late 2013. From gothic spires to bohemian charm, the styles are vast, though they all stay true to the original beliefs that started Ace. The individuals that make up the Ace Team are a key defining point, and their own description sums it up: “The Ace team is a curious hybrid—romantics with an unswerving business savvy, easygoing yet driven. We’re not interested in cooler-than-thou design statements, but in creating with soul. As the company grows, Ace stays true to the partners’ core creative beliefs, refusing to get caught up in big-business clichés, and insisting on doing things our own way. It isn’t just lip service. We seek out independent businesses, local artisans and young talent to drive the properties’ development. We look for creative ways to be resourceful and sustainable. And we believe in a better way of doing things, no matter the scale.” Amen!

See other Ace Hotels on Yellowtrace.

ACE HOTEL LONDON SHOREDITCH.

Ace Hotel London Shoreditch is located in the district of the world famous open-air market on Brick Lane, in an area that’s home to street artists from around the world and where the first plays were performed in London. The Hotel reflects this rich, “cosmopolitan yet historic character” with a wide range of design influences from clean Modernism to UK punk, bold graphics of the early 20th century Vorticist movement. London Shoreditch was designed by Universal Design Studio and opened in 2013. See all images in our gallery post.

ACE HOTEL DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.

Ace Hotel Downtown LA is situated in the historic United Artists building. The hotel incorporates the building’s history, originally built in 1927 for the Maverick Film Studio. Downtown LA’s prize feature is the ornate, storied theatre and tower that reaches up from the main building. The theatre’s original design, a “lush interpretation of the Spanish Gothic style,” and the tower’s minimalist concrete structure provides the hotel’s concept – decadence and democracy, 1920’s Hollywood glamour and modern minimalism. Designed by Atelier Ace and Commune Design an opened in 2013. See all images in our gallery post.

AMERICAN TRADE HOTEL, PANAMA.

American Trade Hotel, Panama sits at the centre of the city’s old quater. In a city that lies at the crossroads of the Americas, the property is embedded with the heritage and culture of Casco Viejo (the city’s UNESCO-designated historic district), which is one of meetings, cultural and creative exchanges and business. The Hotel has embraced this dynamic energy, creating a luxury hotel with adjoining events hall to act as a base for coming together and exploring Panama from. American Trade Hotel was designed by Commune Design and opened in 2013. See all images in our gallery post.

ACE HOTEL NEW YORK.

Ace Hotel New York is the ‘city’ hotel; it has “mix of styles, historical periods and objects that come together in layers.” Unique to Ace New York is the art work throughout the guest rooms and common areas that were created by young and emerging as well as established artists such as Michael Anderson, Greg Lamarche and Mike Perry, among many more. Ace Hotel New York is designed by Roman and Williams and opened in 2009.

ACE HOTEL PORTLAND.

Ace Hotel Portland occupies a city block in the heart Downtown Portland, once known as the Gay Triangle and bordering on the Pearl District. Previously the Clyde Hotel, Ace Hotel Portland keeps many of the original twentieth century details, the ample proportions and sense of solidity being the winning characteristics. As an artistically emerging neighbourhood, the hotel has a decidedly cretive feel, drawing on local, as well as international, musicians and artists for its influence as well as specific work such as murals in and around the hotel. Ace Portland was designed by * and opened in 2007.

ACE HOTEL PALM SPRINGS.

Ace Palm Springs is a re-imagined mid-century motel. They call it Ace Hotel & Swim Club, having 170 rooms and a spa and resort attached. The hotel has an earthy, bohemian vibe with sustainable elements and communal fireplaces throughout. The restaurant, King’s Highway, plays on the classic American diner the Amigo Room bar is always bustling. Palm Springs is designed by Commune Design and opened in 2009.

ACE HOTEL SEATTLE.

Ace Hotel Seattle, a former maritime workers’ hotel in Belltown and the first Ace Hotel of the lot, has a minimalist design. It is uncluttered and comfortable, with a bohemian vibe. The hotel’s simple, yet luxury style, with loft ceilings, hardwood floors, original art and re-purposed furniture is what first put Ace “the hotelier map.” Ace Seattle was designed under the direction of Alex Calderwell and opened in 1999.

[Images courtesy of Ace Hotel.]