Raleigh's AC Hotel and Level 7 set for grand opening

The newest AC Hotel by Marriott will open to the public on Monday, March 27 inside Raleigh's North Hills.

By Dathan Kazsuk | March 25, 2017
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AC Hotels by Marriott is set to open its doors and rooms to the public on Monday, March 27, and we were fortunate enough to get a sneak peek inside prior to the grand opening. And what we've learned is this is going to be one of North Hills hippest hang outs when you make your way up to the 7th floor and check out the complete Level 7 experience.

The bar is still being worked on, but when complete will have a great ambient feel.

Led by AC Hotels Food & Beverage Director, Anthony Zinani, we got to see the urban flare of the Level 7 lounge. The bar will serve up Tapas and small plates as well as an array of Spanish and Sherry wines. They will also feature signature cocktails like the AC Gin & Tonic made with Hendrick's Gin.

The lounge inside Level 7 will have plenty of space to sit down and enjoy your favorite Spanish wine.

The lounge will be open 7 days a week, serving drinks up to 2 a.m. if patrons are around – which we don't think will be a problem. Inside the lounge, music will be pumped throughout, and there will be a variety of 40-inch flat screens for your viewing pleasure. They were being installed when we arrived for the tour.

Enjoy breakfast each morning at Level 7's breakfast area.

Breakfast will be served each and every morning starting at 6 a.m. The cost of the breakfast buffet is $15 for guests of the hotel and people coming in off the street. The buffet will consist of tarts, Spanish hams, cured meats, international cheeses, coffee and espresso as well as many other unique offerings not seen at your typical "continental" breakfast. 

There's not a bad location to enjoy a drink at Level 7's rooftop lounge.

Making your way from the lounge to the rooftop, you'll encounter some remarkable artwork, such as this piece that shows a map of downtown Raleigh. There you can relax as you drink a handcrafted cocktail using many local distillers such as Oaklee Distillery, Fair Game Beverage Company, TOPO Organic Spirits and Durham Distillery – to name a few.

The view from Level 7's rooftop.

Roughly 1,500 square-feet of rooftop space overlooks North Hills. Enjoy a drink with friends or book the rooftop for private events. The rooftop features heat lamps for chilly evenings as well as waterproof furniture. A projector is also handy to shoot your logo across the North Hills cityscapes like Bat-Man with his bat sign. Drink rails along the ledge will allow patrons an opportunity to enjoy a drink and look down at the nightlife which is North Hills.

The Media Salon has some seclusion, but its still safe to bring a drink back here.

At the opposite end of the rooftop is the Media Salon. So if you happen to be here for work, rent a private salon with frosted windows to have some privacy. Smart tables will allow you to place your phone on the table and project your screen onto the wall. How's that for technology. Eat your heart out, Tony Stark. The area also has a few Apple iMac computers and desks so you can get some work done.

AC Hotels by Marriott has put together an experience unlike any other – giving you the best of a place to rest your head for the night and to chill out to good food and drink. Be sure to check out its grand opening starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 27.