So many things were checked off the bucket list in New Orleans.

1. The most obvious – visit New Orleans
2. See a brass band perform live (The Soul Rebels at Le Bon Ton Roule!)
3. Be in a Second line… in the French Quarter. (Yeah, that happened!)
4. $.25 martinis (Woof, that happened…)
5. Stay at an Ace Hotel

I flew down to NOLA a few days early so I could geek out over NOLA and the hotel before the wedding festivities started. Holy smokes *pats self on back*. I wanted to stay in the hotel forever and never leave (it’s fine, they have 24/7 room service and a rooftop pool).

Being a travel writer/blogger/lover/nerd, I have a tendency to stalk different travel magazines and websites. I think it was sometime in the past two years that I first read about the Ace Hotel brand (here), and how they are building communities within their hotels. I never looked back.

Now, I’ve been to NYC a few times since I first read that 2010 article, but I never had the chance to visit or stay in the Midtown location. Lucky for me, my dear friend from college was getting married in New Orleans, and I had a reason to a) visit NOLA, and b) stay in an Ace.

I arrived mid-morning on a Wednesday (but immediately went out for said martinis). I finally checked in around 2 pm, and I was excited. Like, not normal excited. Well, I guess, normal for me.

The check-in area is small but beautiful. It’s between the hotel restaurant, Josephine Estelle, and the lobby area.

Josephine Estelle is something. It has a retro glam vibe that makes you want to sit there all day chatting with your girlfriends.

On the other side of the check-in, you have the lobby/lounge area. Prepare yourself. You’ll have to resist the urge to ditch your hotel room and just stay here.

I don’t know about you, but this is a dream lobby. It’s the perfect place to congregate and grab a coffee or cocktail while you make plans, or after you return from a day of exploring.

Speaking of coffee, if you look just over the top over this luscious leather couch, you’ll see a doorway. That’s the entrance to Stumptown Coffee. I mean, this place is literally heaven.

Shout out to my new Krewe du Optic shades that I scored at the Krewe sample sale hosted at the Ace.

And if you’re in need of something a little bit, um, “stronger” than coffee, there’s an excellent bar located right next to the couches.

You should see this area around 10 p.m. It’s jam-packed with the most stylish people in New Orleans. The lovely bartenders make a mean cocktail. And happy hour isn’t too shabby either.

Heading to the rooms, you’ll pass by the Three Keys night club AND a photobooth. I love photobooths. There should be more photobooths in the world. But I digress…

Let’s be clear, the party doesn’t need to end because you’re going to your room. Each room is fully stocked with a bar, snacks, and bevs in your very own SMEG fridge.

(Ignore my Stan Smiths in the fridge reflection. I was too lazy to edit them out.)

I always like to take a bit of a disco nap before I get ready for the evening festivities, so I resisted the bar in my room.

As you can probably tell by now, no detail is overlooked. Anywhere. I meant, just look at this desk area.

I didn’t sit down once on those chairs but I spent a lot of time looking at each detail. I mean, they even have a Maid Tip envelope. Also, tip your maid!

I would normally say that I’m saving the best for last but everything was just incredible at the Ace NOLA. I have to admit though, I did save the most indulgent, in my mind, for last.

I never, and I mean NEVER, spend time at pools. When I’m visiting a new place, I like to keep myself out exploring all day, not wanting to miss anything. But Alto.

Alto opens at 10 a.m. and I 1000% was up there by 10:15 a.m. every day after my morning explorations/breakfast/coffee. I loved going up to the roof, hanging by the pool, enjoying a cocktail or a nap, and really just relishing the downtime.

The pool area gets busy pretty quickly. I would say that by noon, it’s packed and the bar is fairly full. But it’s worth checking out. Even if you aren’t staying at the Ace. Alto is just a cool bar with a great view of New Orleans.

Well, that’s my stay at the Ace in New Orleans. Thank you to the Ace Hotel – it was great sleeping with you! 😉