Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on April 25, 2025.
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The AC Hotel in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District is a comfortable, albeit somewhat standard hotel in the chain that offers budget-friendly rooms and a killer location right at the edge of the popular neighborhood and downtown Pittsburgh.
Whether you're coming in for a conference at the convention center next door or utilize this one as a base to explore Pittsburgh, you're in for a comfortable, no-frills stay here!
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A Comfortable Hotel with Conventional Amenities
The AC Hotel in the Strip District has just about everything you'd expect from the chain- there's no other way to say it. The rooms are modest yet comfortable, and the on-site amenities do not stray too far from what you'd expect from the brand, and the price is reasonable by city standards most days that we looked.
Our room, despite being somewhat small, had enough room for a seating area with a couch in addition to the bed and desk. The bed was firm yet comfortable and likely could be enjoyed by guests with all style preferences. Throw on some blackout curtains that did the job quite well, and we were comfortable in the space.
One of the interesting parts about this particular hotel is that the hotel and its on-site bar and restaurant, Level 7, are located on the seventh floor of the building, and the latter in particular has a pretty impressive view of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center next door that can be enjoyed via indoor and outdoor seating.
Although we ended up enjoying happy hour at Eleven next door (highly recommended) and eating dinner in the Strip District, this one could make a great spot for a quick snack, nightcap, or meal with a view if you were so inclined and didn't want to explore the Strip District or downtown proper.
These views of the convention center likely transfer to about half of the rooms in the hotel, and we'd estimate that rooms ending in an even number have your best chances for a decent view, whereas odd rooms, like ours, simply have a view into a service alley. So while we were a bit bummed not to have a better view from the other side of the hall, we will admit we had a quiet and relaxing stay all the same.
Finally, guests are encouraged to park in the surface lot across the street, which can have somewhat variable pricing but is often cheaper than valet parking at other hotels nearby but more expensive than city-operated garages, like the Grant Street Transportation Center two blocks away.
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A Great Location for the Convention Center
One thing that surprised us about the location of the AC Hotel in the Strip District was its proximity to the convention center. We knew it was close, as the hotel is located at the boundary between downtown and the Strip District, it wasn't until we checked into the hotel that we realized just how great the location is for conferences in particular.
The view from the lobby is a dead giveaway to this, but you can be inside the convention center in just a few minutes by walking from here, which makes the AC Hotel one of the closest options for budget-friendly hotels when visiting for conferences. That said, all downtown hotel prices can surge around popular events, so be mindful of that as well.
Overall, while the AC Hotel doesn't stray too far from the mold, its prime location and beautiful views on one half of the property (plus lobby and bar) make for a relaxing stay in Pittsburgh. Whether you're coming in for a conference or simply want to be in the middle of all of the action of downtown Pittsburgh and the Strip District, this one is a great property to consider!
The AC Hotel is located 1126 Smallman Street at the boundary between the Strip District and Downtown Pittsburgh.
