Ace Hotel's NYC Spinoff Offers Less, But It's Better
All photos by Adrian Gaut / courtesy of Sister City.
Sister City
New York City, NYC
Trendy, $$ ($199)
There's a three-word philosophy driving Ace Hotel's new spinoff, Sister City: Less, But Better. The idea being that when everything from lobby design to lighting to location is carefully considered and perfectly executed, there's satisfaction in having just enough (see also: Scandinavian saunas, high-quality chocolate, Japanese bento boxes).
Ace took the approach of asking what today's traveler needs — compassionate hospitality, beautiful aesthetics, efficient service, and a jumping-off point into the wider world — and disregarded the superfluous stuff. The result is a sunny, quiet, pared-down, extremely affordable boutique hotel in prime downtown Manhattan.
Book It
Rates start at $199. Click here for reservations. Or contact the Fathom Concierge and we can book your trip for you.
At a Glance
The Vibe: Efficient elegance.
Standout Detail: Beautiful wood accents like curved moldings, slatted walls, rounded furniture, circular doors, and built-in cabinets under the beds.
This Place Is Perfect For: Prudent design snobs; nearly starving artists, Scandi-Japanophiles; shrewd, in-the-know travelers; New Yorkers.
Rooms: There are 191 Kings, Queens, Corners, Terraces, Singles, and 9 Bunks with city or garden views. Decor is subdued, minimized, and rounded at the edges. Built-in cherry wood furniture includes a fold-out desk and clothes-hanging rack. You won't find a mini bar or paper clutter, but you will find B&O bluetooth speakers, private label toiletries, and in-room safes. Dogs are welcome.
On Site: Private garden, all-day cafe, ground-floor restaurant, rooftop bar, WiFi and plenty of outlets, lots of plants, mobile check-in, and a super chill lobby soundscape that responds to the outside environment via rooftop camera (clouds, pigeons, rain).
Food + Drink: Floret has already become a neighborhood staple for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour, delivering a steady millennial diet of beautiful and healthy rice bowls, fancy burgers, roast chicken, and seasonal salads. Last Light is an elegant little 11th-floor rooftop bar with classic cocktails, organic wine, local beer, and million-dollar views of the downtown skyline.
What to Do Nearby
New Museum is Sister City's next-door neighbor, and it would be a shame to pass up a visit. Likewise: Freemans, the restaurant that launched the now-famous woodsy-and-worn New Brooklyn aesthetic; Morgenstern's, a superb ice cream parlor churning a unique variety of scooped delights; The Bowery Ballroom, one of the city's best live music venues for of-the-moment bands. Cross the Bowery and you'll find yourself in Nolita, where there's tons of shopping, cafes, photo ops, and killer restaurants, like Estela, Pasquale Jones, and Uncle Boons. Wander east for great movies, pastrami sandwiches, and an iconic bagel and schmear.
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