Check In: The Ace Hotel, Chicago
A hotel that is dog-friendly, has delicious eats, and a rooftop bar, sign me up. Situated across from the new Google office and blocks from Restaurant Row, the Ace Hotel is located in what some would say is the up-and-coming neighborhood of Chicago. With new restaurants and bars popping up around the corner, the Ace Hotel is the perfect “home-base” for a weekend of exploring.
This was my second time staying at an Ace Hotel (read about my first experience here). The hotel brand is known for reinventing the old, bringing an upbeat vibe to the city, and most of all: making the hotel more than a hotel. Stepping out of our Uber, I was impressed by the service, the spacious-ness of the, well space, and the overall vibe.
The rooms. Not going to lie, before walking into our room, I was expecting a small, minimalist space. While the decor was exactly as expected (some rooms are equipped with Martin guitars or fully operational turn-tables), the rooms were quite expansive. The mini-bars might be some of the best stocked I’ve seen (hello, every flavor of canned wine). And for all my ladies — they had black towels to remove your makeup #nomoreruinedtowels
My first suggestion: Come hungry. City Mouse, the hotel restaurant, may have been one of the best hotel restaurants I’ve ever eaten at. From the team behind Giant, the Logan Square favorite, the restaurant offers some Midwest classics. Their pasta is out of this world. Even better? Brunch 7 days a week.
Suggestion #2: Book a brunch the next morning. After a night at their rooftop bar, you might be in need of some grease. Only a few blocks away, you’ll stumble upon the famous Randolph street lined with top-ranked restaurants. May I recommend: Little Goat Dinner, Nosh & Booze, or Au Cheval.
Suggestion #3: Plan some down-time at the hotel. I am terrible, TERRIBLE, about making time to spend in the actual hotel, or our room. The Ace Hotel offers amazing people watching in the lobby, killer views from the rooftop, or a massive bed to unwind in your room. Be sure to spend some time off your feet, preferably with a drink in your hand.
If you are heading to Chicago for a weekend with friends or to explore the city, I could not recommend this hotel more!
