Great Experience All-Around Ace Hotel Chicago

I’ve been trying to spend more time enjoying my travels and less time running through them in exhaustion. A recent trip to check out the new Ace Hotel Chicago was a perfect example.

The Ace Hotel is located in the West Loop, an up and coming neighborhood where Chicago’s Google headquarters also happens to be located.

With a sleek design, Ace blends in and you probably wouldn’t even know it was there if you weren’t looking for a place to stay and a great meal. I was there for both.

The rooms at Ace are ultra-modern in décor and amenities. What’s old is new again, from retro (a radio) to boxes (of water). 

Everything has clean, square lines, but you’ll known you are in 2017 when you see an abundance of outlets and a package of (free) condoms on the minibar.

I brought along friends Brittany and Jamie to share the room, but they were heading out and I had the evening all to myself.

I was scheduled for dinner at the Ace Hotel’s City Mouse restaurant. I had heard about the farm fresh ingredients and creative chef, so I was very excited to check it out.

I was not disappointed in dinner. The food was indeed unique and delicious.

I started with an order of the cornbread with parmesan butter, crispy on the outside, moist and rich on the inside. It went well with the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (my favorite wine) they had on tap.

My first course was a marinated zucchini salad with rice dumplings. 

The salad was zesty and the dumplings light, for well-orchestrated flavor.

I stayed with the light and fresh theme and chose the Corn Mezzaluna for my main course. Mezzaluna is a thin, ravioli-like pasta and this one was accompanied by a sweet corn sauce and tomatoes.

I took the waitresses recommendation and ordered the Sugar Plum Torte for dessert. 

It was covered in a honey-whipped ricotta and had a side of plum thyme sorbet.

After dinner, I took a ride in the elevator to check out the rooftop bar. Waydown has outdoor seating and a fantastic view of the Chicago skyline. 

It also has a glass-enclosed bar that can be open year-round.

Waydown has an interesting cocktail list and small plates. There’s also live music some evenings to make it even more cozy.

I slept very well in my Ace Hotel room and returned to City Mouse in the morning with Brittany and Jamie.

I had taken a look at the menu before we went and, quite honestly, I was baffled! 

To say it is unusual is probably an understatement, but we decided to try a little bit of almost everything on the menu!

First, we chose three from the “pastry” selection: A Bacon Dill Twist, a Caramel Cinnamon Roll, and a gluten-free chocolate donut.

I’m not a big bacon eater, but I really enjoyed the mixed flavors in the twist. The cinnamon roll was luscious. As for the donut, I never would have guessed it was gluten-free if I didn’t know.

I decided to nibble and not get a main course, but my friends picked two really good ones.

For Brittany, it was the Gas Station Sandwich – egg, hash browns, cheese, and sausage, with grape jelly. Jamie had the Brunch Burrito (my favorite), which was a tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, black beans, roast pork, pineapple, and chihuahua cheese.

It was nice to be able to spend a night and day just enjoying a hotel, and the Ace Chicago is one worth going to. 

Check for the best prices at Ace Hotel Chicago on TripAdvisor.