8/10 Very good
Unlike the cookie cutter hotels, the ACE DTLA has its unique charm and beauty. It is an old art deco building so the rooms are small and you won't have the conveniences of a new hotel. The front desk staff and bellmen were very friendly and welcoming. The valet guy could be more attentive and helpful. We arrive in our car but were going to across the street so didn't need valet. He just stood there while we got all our luggage out, then he opened the door for us while we dragged all out stuff, I dropped my suitcase and he just stood there. He finally helped me with my carryon while I pushed the bigger suitcase. The bellman was inside, but didn't see us until we were inside. IMO either the valet guy should have called the bellman, or the bellman should walk outside from time to time to see if there are guests arriving.
After checking in, we went up to the room and it was a bit dark. Simon the bellman suggested we go ask for another room, and Michael upgraded us to a nicer room. We had a king bed corner room with a balcony with 4 big windows. It was a super nice upgrade!
PROS for me:
1. Great location in downtown LA.
2. Hotel style (decor, building)
3. Good quality mattress, pillows and bedsheets/comforter
4, Eco conscious - small hand bar soap (less waste) and refillable shampoo, conditioner and body soap
5. Big windows - lots of lights
6. Rooftop bar is cool and not too big so more intimate
7. They clean your room only if you request it the day before so you they won't bother you trying to get in your room at different times like in other hotels
8. Very nice and good quality assortment of snacks, and drinks - coconut water, Topo Chico, nice brand chips, etc.
9. No carpet in the rooms!
CONS:
1. Hallway paint color and carpet is very dark, depressing and old looking.
2. Rooms are small and there's not much space to put your big luggages, small closet and no drawers to put your things
3. Restaurant menu is average, not great.
4. Bathroom tub /shower was elevated and there was no handrail or anything to hold on to when getting out. I suggested to the hotel to put something, someone can slip if not careful.
One thing that I found odd s that I called the day after we checked out because I thought I had left a dress. They said housekeeping didn't find anything left behind in the room. Later I found it among my stuff and called back to let them know I had it. That night, I realized we had indeed left a bottle of wine in a gift bag that my boyfriend received as a birthday gift. But they didn't say anything about it. I found it odd that they wouldn't report that, especially when we checked out at 1pm and left our suitcases with front desk until 7pm. Housekeeping certainly had cleaned the room and could have notified the front desk. I am not certain of hotel policies of forgotten items, but I'd think they would attempt to notify guests in case it was forgotten and not left behind knowingly.
Overall we had a great stay and experience.
We celebrated a birthday in the rooftop bar and Michael the assistant manager had a list with all our guests so they could all go on the hotel guest elevator for quicker access instead of the public rooftop elevator. That was very a very nice touch.