This was published 1 year ago
Hotel review: Ace Sydney, Surry Hills - factory conversion brings rockstar cool
The US-born hotel chain delivers on multiple fronts, with rockstar-level cool.
CHECK-IN
Little known fact: a hotel's "cool" barometer is directly proportional to the amount of bearded, beanie-wearing blokes in its lobby. Or at least that's a fair assumption, based on the volume of off-duty barista types tapping away on laptops and sipping natty wine in the buzzing sunken lobby bar at Ace Sydney. At 257 rooms, the boutique hotel brand's first Australian outpost is more boutique in reputation than reality. Its commitment to the boutique brief, however, has resulted in some gloriously retro-inspired spaces, an astonishing art collection, and some delicious local collaborations. Occupying the historic 1916 Tyne Building in Surry Hills, close to Central Station and an embarrassment of popular bars and restaurants, it's a hell of a canvas to work with, and the Ace design team has paid tribute to the site's rich past in several ways.
THE LOOK
Rooms in the heritage part of the building feature open brick walls and a muted retro palette of outback greens and scorched oranges.
Award-winning Flack Studio was tasked with the design, transforming the former factory into a patchwork of rough-hewn concrete and brick surfaces, glam lighting and warm, honey hues. The blizzard of artworks adorning the public spaces, assembled over four years, have a habit of surprising and delighting (Jason Phu's crudely-drawn paintings, scrawled on random guest hallways, come to mind). Old and new mesh nicely: a restored safe faces a credit card-operated photo booth; contemporary artists pay tribute to the building's legacy as Australia's earliest kiln discovery site with interesting ceramic works. The historic nods can get quite meta, but even the non-critics will appreciate the level of pizzazz on show here.
THE ROOM
Our Medium Plus room on the seventh floor resides in the heritage part of the building, with open brick walls and oversized arched windows playing nicely with a muted retro palette of outback greens and scorched oranges. A record player comes with a selection of vinyls, and the minibar features some old friends (why, hello Jaffas) and new (Adelaide Hills dolcetto sangiovese in a pouch). Another enduring Ace novelty is access to your very own acoustic guitar, available on request (blank sheet music is tucked in leather pouches for when inspiration strikes). The ensuite includes a rain shower with UKA amenities.
The blizzard of artworks adorning the public spaces, as pictured on the front desk, have a habit of surprising and delighting.
FOOD + DRINK
Ace Sydney has big, bold culinary ambitions. Its yet-to-launch signature rooftop restaurant Kiln, helmed by former ACME chef Mitch Orr, is tipped as one to watch, currently slated to open in early October 2022. Sydney's lofi wine king Mike Bennie (P&V) is behind Ace's all-natural, vegan wine program. Meeting diners on the ground floor, the more casual Loam is open from morning until late. With sandy banquettes and chocolate leather cushions, it serves a la carte breakfast, Mecca Coffee, and seasonal fare with a veggie bent (start every meal with the blistered padron peppers). Next door, laneway cafe and wine bar Good Chemistry serves fresh pastries, lighter bites and tasty natural drops.
OUT + ABOUT
The hotel is just 10 minutes from Central Station, Chinatown, and a myriad of Surry Hills bars and restaurants beckoning with good times. Brunch buffs can check out newcomer A.P Bakery (80 Commonwealth Street) up the road, explore the fine drinking establishments of Foster Street, or venture slightly further afield into the CBD or Oxford Street late-night stretch.
THE VERDICT
The US-born hotel chain delivers on multiple fronts, with rockstar-level cool and a food and beverage proposition poised to lure more than tired hotel guests.
THE ESSENTIALS
Rooms from $359 a night. 47/53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. See acehotel.com/sydney
HIGHLIGHT
Clothes steamers in each room? Yes please. Of course, that 12pm rockstar checkout deserves an honourable mention.
LOWLIGHT
It's a petty gripe given the calibre of food offerings at Ace and current hospitality staffing issues but some room service options wouldn't go astray.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★★½
Katherine Scott stayed as a guest of Ace Sydney.
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