Tag Archives: Ace Hotel

Things to do Palm Springs

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When I arrived in Palm Springs for a weekend I was ready for a few days lounging by the pool… but I soon discovered there was plenty to see and do in this hot desert town from adventure jeep tours to date farming.

To stay

Stay at the hip Ace Hotel and Swim Club where the rooms are decorated in a fitting rustic beach style with Rudy’s Barbershop toiletries and memorable design features (like the matchstick bedside lights!) When the sun goes down visit the Amigo Room bar for tasty pork shoulder tacos and a ‘Desert Facial’ cocktail. I was lucky to be there on a Tuesday evening when ‘Terry’s Karaoke’ was in full swing.

To eat

I wasn’t overly impressed by the food options in Palm Springs, but was delighted to discover Smoke Tree BBQ, thanks to a recommendation from a fellow foodie in London. Don’t let the unlikely location put you off, this friendly local eatery serves delicious BBQ meat. I tried the amazing slow cooked beef brisket and baby back ribs, super soft meat with a huge depth of flavour. The creamed corn was the perfect accompaniment.

To drink

Whether its morning or afternoon, Ernest Coffee is the best place to get your iced coffee fix, serving the popular Stumptown brand of roasted beans.

To do

Desert Adventures offer manageable tours of this areas top sights and attractions. I joined them for the popular sunset tour of San Andreas Fault Line. Six of us loaded into an open air red jeep with our lovely tour guide Dick and headed off into in the sandy horizon. We learnt a huge amount about the history of the Californian desert, the culture of the native Cahuilla Indians and the unique wildlife and geology of the area. We stopped at a natural palm oasis and spotted three wild rattlesnakes, before heading to famous fault line to stand between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.

For a dose of culture, head to the Palm Springs Art Museum. We enjoyed the Killer Heels temporary exhibition, which showcases some of the most impressive designer shoes from through the ages. Upstairs there is a collection of contemporary works and outside a colourful sculpture garden is particularly striking against the palm tree backdrop.

Palm Springs is well known for its dates and the Shields Date Garden is a great place to learn about the fruit as well as tasting the sweet delicacy. The farm has been around since 1924, and now offers a contemporary cafe, garden walk and a short video about the sex life of a date! Don’t leave without trying the famous date milkshake.

When you need a city escape the dry and deserted Joshua Tree National Park is unique place to explore. Entry for a car costs $20 and you are then able to spend as long as you like enjoying the various natural wonders. Don’t miss the Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the number one attraction in Palm Springs offering unrivalled views of the valley and Mount San Jacinto. The world’s largest rotating tram will take you up 8516 feet above sea level, where the temperature is a staggering 20 degrees less than ground level. When at the top there are numerous trails and hikes to enjoy, or simply admire the amazing views.

Ace Hotel, Shoreditch

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The Ace Hotel brand thrives on passions: for food, for music, for design and for socialising. There is a strong rock’n’roll identity imposed by the late, visionary founder Alex Calderwood, whose desire to create ‘something new’ led to the creation of a unique kind of hospitality. The family of hotels located across the USA and now in London, are artfully hip, inspired by each distinctive neighbourhood.

Having visited the Ace Hotel in New York, I was excited and intrigued to see how the UK version would differ. Whispers around London were already predicting it to be the hottest new place to sleep, eat, drink and hang out. The glamorous Great Gatsby style entrance welcomes you in off the shabby street, the illuminated lamps bring an element of showbiz in contrast with the urban-uniformed doormen who wear Dr Marten boots, black beanies and Ace-branded baseball jackets. A backdrop of blooms hints at the next door Flower Shop, a magical emporium created by Hattie Fox for Ace.

The understated check-in counter is decorated with Ace merchandise and vintage vinyls. The open-plan lobby encourages interaction; a long bench is dressed with suitably trendy magazines and there is a retro black-and-white photo-booth for take home memories; my favourite feature.

Directions around the hotel are printed in a bold font straight onto the exposed concrete walls and pillars. Crafty, handmade paper collages decorate the lifts and communal areas. After a slight mishap with the wrong (already occupied) room, we were upgraded to a Superior Deluxe double room with more space and storage. There is an obvious Scandic vibe, with an ordered layout and simplistic furniture, a bit like a design showroom. A low King size bed is topped with a patchwork blue blanket, with easily accessible plug sockets set into a useful bedside ledge. An impressive monochrome print covering one wall with a descending flock of birds is a decorative addition to the room. A wall mounted flat screen TV is perfectly placed for in-bed viewing.

The other section of the room is for utilities. A low-hanging spotlight illuminates the circular table, a cork board with accompanying stationery to one side and a comfortable corner sofa. Other branded bits and bobs are carefully placed around the room and are available to buy in the Ace shop. A thoughtfully well-stocked mini bar provides inventive and unusual snacks. There are lovely Falcon Homeware cups and mugs for your use, as well as a Rega turntable and vinyl selection, acoustic Martin guitar, and Revo radio with Ace-curated radio station.

The bathroom is filled with comforting extras: supercool deluxe dressing gowns by Wings & Horns, toiletries in large dispensers and other bathroom accessories stylishly labeled. There is a big bath, power shower and a large sink (with an accompanying wooden stool), all set out very elegantly.

Food and drink at the Ace Hotel is sure to create a buzz. Hoi Polloi is the resident restaurant, a stripped back but chic eatery serving savvy cocktails, delicious steaks and pretty desserts. I was a little shocked to discover breakfast isn’t included in the room rate, so decided to eat at the cheaper Leila’s Shop round the corner. However, Square Mile coffee roasters has now set up shop (Bulldog Edition) downstairs, and a rooftop bar is in the pipeline too.

London is proud to have its very own Ace Hotel, already at home in the quirky Shoreditch landscape.

Rooms start at £184 for a standard double room. More information and booking here.