Ace Hotel Weblog

This psychedelic and strangely calming photograph reminds us of...

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:13:00 -0700

This psychedelic and strangely calming photograph reminds us of the colortones in a Hitchcock movie. It’s by David Hogarty, our winning contender for the Gormley contest for this week. We’re sending him some strong, delicious coffee.

Thoughts from this week’s entrants (all creative spelling is theirs):

I just stayed with you for 1 week, and when I noticed the first statue, I seriously thought this guy was going to jump. stpped the taxi. and kinnda started shouting, until someone told me about the Event Horizon.

On Sunday my family, friends, and I stumbled across the Madison Square park first looking at the statue of William Seward as he was born in a town not far from us in Florida, NY. As it started raining we searched for cover under the trees in the park. When the rain finally let up we noticed a man standing on a building, and another and another ! We later found out it was Antony Gormley’s exhibit. We then walked to the Empire State building in search of as many sculptures as we could find. It was great fun roaming the streets of NYC admiring the art and architecture of the city.
My Dad snapped this photo on his phone as we were posing with the sculptures.

Many of the image files were also named “naked man.” As the exhibition draws to a close, decorum is breaking down and people seem to riff more and more on the nekkid-ness. Anyways, the new entries are really good. Go vote by clicking on the Gormley button in the sidebar. And send us your entries to win something you can share with your friends or hoard all for yourself.

Guess who this is covering Satisfaction and we’ll send you...

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:10:00 -0700

Guess who this is covering Satisfaction and we’ll send you an Ace Hotel t-shirt in the mail, SWAK. Howie Pyro picked this out for you and, true to form, it’s mildly terrifying. The contest is in honor of Levi’s Pioneer Sessions - artists covering the classic songs that inspire them. We’ll post another song for you to guess next week, and again the following week, except for the third time around we’ll give the winner a Levi’s Pioneer Sessions Limited Edition Crosley Turntable. What a mouthful. The name is actually larger than the deck itself. It’s compact, handsome, and sounds as clear and crisp as all of your records must have 40 years ago. Carry on, contenders! Send your guess to us with “Howie Pyro x Levi’s x Ace” in the subject line.

Opening Ceremony makes us happy. They just look good and they...

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:41:00 -0700

Opening Ceremony makes us happy. They just look good and they have a good attitude. They have a special Ace New York OC website where you can get a curated tour of the best travel products you’ll ever need, including quill pens, McSweeney’s reading materials, and Mad Libs. Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of visiting.

Trailer for Everything Will Be Okay

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:52:44 -0700

Trailer for Everything Will Be Okay

We’re playing in a big badminton game on Governors Island...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:16:25 -0700

We’re playing in a big badminton game on Governors Island this weekend. Ride over on the ferry to hear music, eat food, drink refreshing things, be merry, and see us in our fancy badminton outfits. You can bring your bike, too. Recess New York throws this party yearly at Colonel’s Row. Saturday, noon to 5.

MINT & SERF Special Graffiti UnitOur friends Mint & Serf...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:24:50 -0700

MINT & SERF Special Graffiti Unit

Our friends Mint & Serf have an exhibition up at Lyons Wier Gallery with painting, photography, and video that interpret Mint & Serf’s encounters with the long arm of the NYC law. The opening starts now and goes til about 10pm tonight. You can also see the exhibition through August 15th. Lyons Wier is at 175 Seventh Avenue at 20th.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:50:00 -0700

We’re giving away some signed copies of Jay Greene’s book, Design is How it Works. He...

One half of People Under the Stairs, prolific creator,...

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:03:00 -0700

One half of People Under the Stairs, prolific creator, collaborator, mover-shaker, Thes One shares a ¡Reunión! with DJ Day this week. Come early for local, organic tacos and good tequila.

Roost in your natural habitat with other Pacific Northwest...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:54:30 -0700

Roost in your natural habitat with other Pacific Northwest expatriates and those that (look) like you. Come early for free PBR’s. Stay late for bonding, bromance, and fish tales. DJs J. Escobedo Shepherd, MD, REZOUND, and Sam Hockley-Smith presiding. All Seattle and Portland natives and their biggest fans are welcome. RSVP to expac@acehotel.com.

Journalist Jay Greene just wrote a book, Design is How it Works,...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:00:00 -0700

Journalist Jay Greene just wrote a book, Design is How it Works, and included us in it. The book focuses on brands he holds in high regard for their recognition of design as an essential element of memorable, comfortable, and inspiring experiences. This is why he loves Ace. Jay met with us at Ace Seattle – this is him in front of Shepard Fairey’s Obey wheatpaste mural at the original Ace, where we first showcased our love affair with art and design, and created a place that inspires and affirms creativity. Here are some thoughts from Jay:

WHY ACE?
To some folks, Ace may not have been the most obvious company to include in the book. It’s not a global powerhouse such as Nike and Porsche, companies I also wrote about. But that’s really the point. Great design shouldn’t just be left to well-known brands with huge budgets.

THE EXPERIENCE WITH ACE?
One of the first things you notice when you meet with Alex Calderwood and the other folks who work for Ace is how much fun they have creating their hotels. No question they work hard. But strolling through consignment shops in Palm Springs with Alex was a hoot. It’s so clear he loves sifting through that stuff to find the perfect item for the hotel.

Thanks, Jay.

This is Michael Antonia. He and photographer Max Wanger host...

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:18:00 -0700

This is Michael Antonia. He and photographer Max Wanger host Flashdance, a dance party, every last Sunday at Ace Palm Springs. Get cheap rooms, the chance to win a King Patio room, and more info here.

Lauren Bassing won our Gormley contest this week, so we’re...

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:06:00 -0700

Lauren Bassing won our Gormley contest this week, so we’re sending her an Ace NYC t-shirt as a token of our appreciation. Go vote on our new entries by clicking on the Gormley button in the sidebar — there are some really nice sunsets in there this week. Send us your entries, too, for a chance to win cool stuff. Congratulations, Lauren!

We’re throwing a party every month for our friends in the...

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:17:00 -0700

We’re throwing a party every month for our friends in the service and hospitality industry, complete with very cheap rooms. Flashdance spins hip hop, rock, pop, and soul in the Amigo Room from 10 to close. The pool is open til 2. They’re also throwing a contest to give away a King Patio room with a fireplace each month.

Call 760.325.9900 and ask for the Flashdance discount to get rooms for $89 a night.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Photo by Amanda Bordonaro via...

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:10:00 -0700

Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Photo by Amanda Bordonaro via psladies.

Marc Ecko walkabout at Ace Hotel New York.

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:40:25 -0700

Marc Ecko walkabout at Ace Hotel New York.

Photo

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:48:00 -0700

Craft Night with Ranger Joe takes over the Amigo Room once a...

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:50:00 -0700

Craft Night with Ranger Joe takes over the Amigo Room once a month, melding the DIY spirit of summer camp with a cocktail party. And Ranger Joe is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Here are some pictures from last month’s Craft Night — we made macrame necklaces out of fabric, inspired by Michael Schmidt’s rope installation in the Ace Palm Springs lobby. Cotton Ball, Ranger Joe’s kitty, got the supplies ready in advance. Next week is “Ghosts of Craft Nights Past” — Ranger Joe is bringing the remains of all previous Craft Nights so you can create a beautiful frankenstein, or crazy quilt, or hodge-podge of inspiration.

Craft Night Kitty from Ace Hotel on Vimeo.

Ace Palm Springs. Photo by Tim Melideo.

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:39:00 -0700

Ace Palm Springs. Photo by Tim Melideo.

Nick Keogh wins our Antony Gormley contest this week. Looks like...

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:00:00 -0700

Nick Keogh wins our Antony Gormley contest this week. Looks like the aberration of one chilly summer day proved helpful for Nick. Congratulations — we’d like to give you an official Event Horizon t-shirt to celebrate. The rest of you should send in your entries, too — this contest will only be around for another couple of weeks, and you could win all manner of exciting booty. Photos and videos are welcome. And go vote on our new entries by clicking on the Gormley button in the sidebar. Onward!

Ace Hotel New York. Photo by Tracy Clayton.

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:36:06 -0700

Ace Hotel New York. Photo by Tracy Clayton.