Ace Hotel New York
Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, New York City
Hotel in New York City, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Ace Hotel New York suits creative travelers and remote workers who want a NoMad address with genuine personality. The lobby-as-community-space model means approachable service and a lively ground floor, but expect casual rather than formal hospitality. Easy to book, well-located for midtown and downtown access, better value than its design-forward peers at comparable price points.
About Ace Hotel New York
Who Should Book Ace Hotel New York
Ace Hotel New York is the right call for creative travelers, remote workers, anyone who wants a midtown address with a downtown attitude. The NoMad location at 20 W 29th St puts you close to the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, convenient subway access across multiple lines; practical for both first-timers covering the city and repeat visitors who know where they want to go. If you're arriving in spring or summer and want a hotel with genuine lobby energy rather than a corporate atrium, book it during those months when the ground-floor scene is at its most active.
The Space
The building is a converted 1904 landmark, the physical space does more work here than the amenity list suggests. Rooms range from compact to genuinely comfortable, the variation in layout means not all rooms are equal; the smaller categories feel tight by midtown standards, but the design quality keeps them from feeling cheap. The lobby functions as a co-working space, coffee bar, gathering point simultaneously, which is either an asset or a drawback depending on how much noise you can work around. For travelers who thrive in that kind of environment, the kind who'd feel at home at The Greenwich Hotel or Crosby Street Hotel, the lobby is a selling point. For those who want quiet on arrival, it's worth knowing what you're walking into.
Service and the Human Element
Ace Hotel's staff culture has historically leaned casual and genuinely helpful rather than formally trained and distant. That trade-off is real: you get approachable, responsive service without the concierge depth you'd find at The Carlyle or The Mark. If your trip depends on orchestrated dining reservations, car services, curated recommendations delivered with precision, those properties will serve you better. If you want a team that feels human and won't make you feel underdressed for asking a question, Ace delivers.
Booking and Timing
Ace New York is among the easier midtown bookings to secure, typically available within a week or two of your dates outside major events and Fashion Week. Rates fluctuate significantly with city demand, so checking 4–6 weeks out gives you the leading read on pricing. Direct booking through the hotel's own site often matches third-party rates. For context on where this sits in the wider New York picture, see our full New York City hotels guide.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
- Neighbourhood: NoMad / Midtown South
- Booking difficulty: Easy, typically available 1–2 weeks out
- Leading for: Creative travelers, remote workers, design-minded stays
- Not ideal for: Guests who want formal service or quiet lobbies
- Nearby: Madison Square Park, Empire State Building, multiple subway lines
- Also consider: The Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Whitby Hotel
Planning details
- Location
- 20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
- Website
- acehotel.com/new-york
- Phone
- +1 212 679 2222
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Ace Hotel in NoMad reads as a purposeful, creative anchor rather than a passive neighborhood tenant. Since its 2009 arrival the property cultivates a lively, design-forward atmosphere, anchored by a lobby that functions more like a semi-public co‑working room than a private threshold. Communal tables, an independent coffee counter and rotating creative programming draw locals, students and travellers into the same social orbit, producing an energetic, collaborative buzz. The result is a boutique hotel that feels both intentionally curated and approachable, a place where design sensibility meets day-to-day urban life.
Best For
This is a smart pick for travellers who value design-minded hotels that double as a social hub. Business travellers and solo visitors find the lobby’s communal seating and coffee counter useful for working between meetings, while creatives and locals drop in for programming and a change of scene. The hotel suits anyone who prefers an active, lively base over a private or purely tranquil stay—people who want to be in the middle of NoMad’s dining and design district and appreciate a hotel that participates in the neighborhood’s cultural life.
Stay Tips
Treat the lobby as part workspace, part social room: arrive with a laptop or a book and plan to settle into the communal tables or corners where locals and students linger for hours. Expect a casual, semi-public atmosphere rather than quiet hotel formality, and check for rotating programming that can change the mood on any given day. If you need privacy or focused work time, bring headphones and choose less-busy hours; otherwise, embrace the communal energy and use the hotel’s lobby as your base for exploring NoMad.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Aman New York; Notable alternative
- The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; Notable alternative
- Pendry Manhattan West; Notable alternative
- Ace Hotel Brooklyn; Notable alternative
- The Ludlow Hotel; Notable alternative
Hotel context
Against Aman New York, the comparison is almost categorical: Aman offers some of the most refined service and spatial luxury in the city, but at rates that are multiple times higher. Ace is not trying to compete there. The more useful comparison is with Pendry Manhattan West, which targets a similar design-conscious traveler with more polished service and a newer build; if service consistency matters more than creative atmosphere, Pendry edges ahead. Ace wins on location for guests who want midtown convenience without a corporate hotel feel.
Ace Hotel Brooklyn is the right alternative if you're flexible on borough and want more breathing room; larger-feeling spaces, a quieter surrounding neighborhood, the same brand ethos at rates that often run lower. For Manhattan-committed travelers, the New York property makes sense. Against The Ludlow Hotel on the Lower East Side, Ace wins on transit access and lobby programming, while Ludlow offers more intimacy and a stronger neighborhood food scene directly outside the door.
The Carlyle is the clearest contrast for guests weighing service depth: if concierge-led trip orchestration is part of your stay, The Carlyle justifies its premium. Ace is the better pick when the hotel is a base rather than the experience itself; and when you'd rather spend the rate difference on the city's restaurants and bars. See our full New York City restaurants guide and our full New York City bars guide for where to put that budget to work.
Explore New York City
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Unlock the full Ace Hotel New York guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Ace Hotel New York
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Hotel New York | Easy | 2025 Michelin Selected Hotels |
| Aman New York | Unknown | 2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #612025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin 3 Keys2025 AAA 5 Diamond Hotel2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #372024 Michelin 3 Keys2023 World's 50 Best Hotels · #25 |
| The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel | Unknown | 2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #642025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin 2 Keys2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #302024 Michelin 2 KeysPearl Recommended Hotels |
| Pendry Manhattan West | Unknown | 2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin 2 KeysPreferred Hotels L.V.X. Collection 20252024 Michelin 2 Keys |
| Ace Hotel Brooklyn | Unknown | 2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2025 Michelin 1 Key2024 Michelin 1 Key |
| The Ludlow Hotel | Unknown | 2026 Design Hotels Collection2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2025 Michelin 1 Key2024 Michelin 1 Key |
A quick look at how Ace Hotel New York measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the pool and spa at Ace Hotel New York?
Ace Hotel New York does not operate a pool or full-service spa; if that is a priority, look at Aman New York or The Carlyle instead. The property's draw is its lobby culture and location in NoMad, not wellness amenities. Factor that in before booking if recovery facilities matter to your trip.
How is the dining at Ace Hotel New York?
The dining and bar program at Ace New York has historically been more about the scene than the food; the lobby restaurant and bar attract locals and guests alike, which keeps the energy consistent. It is a solid option for a casual breakfast or a drink, but not a destination meal. For serious eating, NoMad's broader restaurant block is within walking distance of the 20 W 29th St address.
What is check-in like at Ace Hotel New York?
Check-in runs through the main lobby, which doubles as a co-working and social space; expect a relaxed, low-ceremony process rather than a formal front-desk ritual. Staff lean conversational over scripted, which suits the property's culture but can feel thin during peak periods. Arrive expecting a vibrant common area, not a quiet arrival hall.
Which room category is best at Ace Hotel New York?
The compact rooms at Ace New York are genuinely small; they work fine for a solo traveler or a couple treating the hotel as a base, but feel tight for longer stays with luggage. Step up to a larger category if you are staying more than two nights or need desk space. The converted 1904 building gives higher floors more character, so request those when booking at 20 W 29th St.
Is Ace Hotel New York good for business travel?
Yes, with caveats. The lobby is one of the better informal meeting spaces in midtown; reliably busy with laptops and coffee, which suits client-free working sessions. For formal meetings or client-facing hospitality, the setting reads too casual; Pendry Manhattan West handles that better. The NoMad location puts you a short ride from Midtown and the Flatiron corridor.
Do loyalty programs work at Ace Hotel New York?
Ace Hotels operates its own loyalty structure rather than affiliating with major programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, so points from those chains do not apply here. If you travel frequently on a corporate program, factor that into the value calculation; the rate needs to justify itself without points accrual. For independent travelers unbothered by points, that is a non-issue.
