Ace Hotel Chicago sits just around the corner from our very own Time Out Market Chicago in the heart of the West Loop, and draws from a familiar formula: simple rooms filled with neat little design touches and minimalist furniture; an elegant, Instagram-ready restaurant; a rooftop bar that delivers killer views of the city; and an in-house cafe that serves top-notch flat whites. It’s the formula that has made this brand so successful and, frankly, it works. No wonder Ace Hotel now exists in nine of the world’s hottest cities, with another two on the way.
But it’d be a mistake to think of Ace’s Chicago outpost as a cookie-cutter copy of the brand’s other hotels. The restaurant, City Mouse, was created in partnership with chefs from Giant, one of our favorite restaurants in the city, and a packed events calendar brings local talent into the hotel in the form of art installations, DJs and other performances. Plus, Ace works in close partnership with the Chicago community to support cultural youth initiatives, underlining the hotel’s local credentials.
Neighborhood:
The West Loop used to be an unwelcoming industrial neighborhood but has since been regenerated and is now where you’ll find many of Chicago’s best places to eat and drink, with most visitors making a beeline for Randolph Street and Fulton Market. You’ll also find Union Station – the city’s main transport hub – here, making the West Loop an ideal base for travelers.
Nearby:
1. Time Out Market Chicago: For sampling dishes from the best chefs in the city.
2. Bad Axe Throwing: For letting off steam in an unconventional way.
3. Bottom Lounge: For sipping decent beers before catching a gig.
Time Out tip:
Request a room with a Martin Guitar or turntable if you’re a music buff.
