Last month, I overheard my boss recommending the Ace Hotel to another employee. I paused, "Have you stayed at the Ace Hotel?", I asked. It turns out she hadn't, and she didn't know anyone who had. She had just read a good write-up in a magazine. Well, I also read a good write-up, but I had the misfortunate to act on it. I was appalled by this place. Yes, it will appeal to some, but not nearly as many as might be encouraged by their website or magazine reviews.

The lobby lives up to the photos. It is really quite stunning, and if that was the extent of my experience, I would have been happy. However, the "deluxe" room we stayed in was a sketchy as any by-the-hour hotel. When I made the reservation, I had selected the deluxe corner suite looking at the water; that justified the $150 price tag.

I was so excited when we first walked in the door because the first impression was of the clean modern styling of the room. Cool! The James Bond sliding wall that hid the bathroom was as described in the review I had read. This is going to be so much fun!

Then you look closely...

The scratchy wool blanket looked as though it had been there from the '50s. The cracks and crevices around the sliding wall were dark and dirty. And the bathroom simply did not look clean. Yes, I knew to expect the condom and Kama Sutra on the night table, but it came across as seedy in the context of the atmosphere.

Frankly, I was a bit creeped out. As we walked back to the reception desk to ask for another room, I noticed several of the dormitory-style rooms. They had the same look and feel about them, but maybe it's okay if you're only paying $75. Anyway, the reception said their were no other rooms available, so we left. Now, it's possible that we missed out on the most comfortable bed in the world or maybe the mood changes after dark. Somehow I doubt it.