A

A
pioneer in injecting a community-first spirit into
neighbourhoods that are on the rise, US hotel group Ace has been
paving the future for conscious travellers since the launch of its
first outpost in Seattle, some 20 years ago (a repurposed halfway
house that continues to thrive). We cross the East River from
Manhattan to an edgier, lesser-trodden pocket of Brooklyn to visit
its newest New York address.

Situated on Schermerhorn Street, bounded by the bustling Fort
Greene and Boerum Hill, Ace Hotel Brooklyn houses 287 guest rooms,
a forward-thinking concept store, exhibition space, dazzling
destination restaurant, 80s-inspired fitness studio and super-sexy
bar. Interiors, helmed by hospitality brand Roman and Williams,
feature artworks imagined by a collaboration of local and emerging
talent – an ethos of supporting the arts is stitched into every
space throughout the property.

On arrival, we find ourselves enthralled by a dramatic
double-height light display fixed above the hotel’s glass-fronted
doors. We are told that this sculptural spectacle is an
installation by artist Stan Bitters, and pause to take in the
materials that form the shell of the 13-storey space, from brushed
concrete to rich mahogany and matte-black metal. It is an exterior
that effortlessly marries glitz and grit.

Stepping inside, we’re greeted with the sort of nod you’d give
your mate down the pub – and we mean that in the best way possible.
A keycard and hit-list of food, drinks and cultural delights later, we
have our first chance to soak up the stylish set-up properly:
hipsters buried amid a mish-mash of leather sofas and velvet
pouffes; digital nomads huddled in a chic, softly lit co-working
den; sparkly-eyed couples at the bar; and girlfriends racing
upstairs with pizza boxes bigger than our carry-on. We think this
might just be our favourite Ace outpost to date.

The dazzling light installation by artist Stan Bitters
frames the hotel’s front doors.

Rooms

There are 287 rooms, all with the legendary high-spec Ace
finish, and designed to complement the bolthole’s
industrial-inspired architecture. This plays out through the use of
raw concrete, factory-style windows, plywood and playful pops of
colour. We recharged our batteries in one of the suites, where
handcrafted textiles backdrop a bespoke sofa, a handy desk space
comes topped with turntables and hand-picked vinyls, and a
king-sized bed is dressed in hand-loomed cottons crafted by Maine
Heritage Weavers.

Outfit planning for a day in the Big Apple is no easy sport.
Rest assured, there’s a healthy amount of storage and activity
space for those that require a runway practice – there are hangers
etched with the words “you look good in that” for moral support,
too. And for when your too tired to take another step on the
sidewalk? There’s an airy en-suite complete with organic Uka
toiletries and fluffy robes perfect for lounging in.

What’s for breakfast?

Pastry chef Danny Alvarez rustles up plates of sweet, seasonal
stuff in the bakery. On-the-go breakfast? A sticky cinnamon bun has
your name scribbled all over it. Prefer something a little more
savoury? There’s brown rice porridge, avocado on toast or
old-fashioned pancakes on hand for that. Kinder than it sounds is
the green monster smoothie, which we urge you to order – all
energy-giving kale, kiwi, cucumber and ginger whipped together with
chunks of green apple. Those staying on the weekend are in for a
treat, when a top-notch brunch menu comes out to play. Standouts
include New England oysters, chicken Caesar salad and griddled
banana bread. There’s a killer cocktail menu, too.

An edgy suite corner, left, and a snapshot of an
en-suite.

How about lunch and dinner?

Prepare to feast. All-day dining restaurant As You Are is
beautifully decorated with mosaic-clad walls, letterboard menus,
olive-green tiled floors, leather banquettes and bistro-style
seating. Executive chef Ryan Jordan celebrates the ever-evolving
flavours of Brooklyn in a menu loaded with regional and seasonal
ingredients. We started by ordering a plate of the Maplebrook
burrata, before tucking into the octopus-mezcal ragu, sprinkled
with oregano and perfectly aged parmesan. Dessert is the kind of
treat that lends itself to a post-meal snooze: the warm apple pie
served alongside bourbon ice cream gets the job done.

Is there a bar?

Yep, The Lobby, and it’s the sort of bar that makes ordering
a(nother) last round seem like a grand idea. Backed by a spotlight
window and flanked by concrete pillars, it’s stacked with
swoon-worthy glassware and crowned with a wooden countertop studded
with warm pendant lamps. Classic cocktails are made contemporary
with playful names: “the expat” – a fun spin on a margarita, made
with mezcal, Lillet Blanc, crème de cacao and dry vermouth – caught
our attention. There’s also a leafy oasis, The Garden, where
low-intervention wines are showcased.

Amenities

On the third floor, you’ll find a 24-hour gym that makes the
word “HIIT” seem exciting – hear us out. Brought to life by a
partnership with streetwear label Yeah, I Work Out,
the well-equipped studio pays homage to Brooklyn’s bodybuilding
roots through real-life trophies, vintage prints of icons and a
stellar soundtrack. Guests can get their hands on duffle bags,
water bottles, towels and tees from the capsule collection.

Rotating exhibitions at The Gallery spotlight a collection of
fine art, fashion, literature and technology in an open,
wood-panelled space capped by a skylight. During our visit, we saw
works by Faten Gaddes and Nazanin Noroozi – a group of sculptures
reflecting on the themes of displacement and instability.

How about their green credentials?

The Ace group is lauded for its efforts in living a green
existence, using salvaged materials for building materials,
recycled furnishings and organic produce wherever possible. Guests
will find cork signs stating that sheets and towels are refreshed
every third day, but can be changed sooner on request.

What about accessibility?

All communal spaces are accessible for those with reduced
mobility. There are three adapted room types to choose from,
spanning doubles to suites, each equipped with grab bars and
lowered peepholes.

What’s the crowd like?

Plenty of millennials living it up with their best pals, and a
fair few loved-up couples, too.

Things I should know

There’s an old-school photo booth on the ground floor, allowing
you to snap a selection of shots for the memory album with your
partner in crime.

Within a short walk I can find…

You’re in Brooklyn – the options are endless. Head to Brooklyn
Museum for a roster of exhibitions (a showcase of Virgil
Abloh’s work is running until 29 January), Gold Sounds for
indie music gigs, and Paulie Gee’s for the best wood-fired pizza in
NYC. Keen to secure that iconic selfie beneath the bridge? Visit
Washington Street at dusk.

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