Important Hotel Information:

For those long on hip but short on budget, the chic and stylish Ace Hotel provides the perfect solution. Stark white walls meet deep walnut floors to create a gallery-perfect ambiance. Tongue-in-cheek self-awareness abounds. No Rothko reproductions grace these walls; look instead for ‘70s photo wall murals depicting horses running freely against a sunset surf, or then-ubiquitous Sound of Music-style mountain ranges. Ace hoteliers Doug Herrick, Wade Weigel, and Alex Calderwood are no pretenders to this kitsch-meets-swank aesthetic. With a combined C.V. that includes Sweet Mother Recordings, Aro.Space, and The Baltic Room, it’s no wonder that trendy Web designers, lifestyle journalists and the occasional movie star find this the ideal spot to stay in downtown Seattle. Near Rainier Square and Pike Place Market, the location can’t be beat. In the guest rooms, 14-foot ceilings painted brilliant white tower above low platform beds draped with French army surplus blankets. All accoutrement is painted white to reduce visual clutter. Sinks are stainless steel, and large mirrors are placed at flattering angles (thank you). The finishing touch? Forget looking for Gideon – your bedside reading here is a copy of The Kama Sutra. Inspiring reading, indeed.