12/05/08

I am forever in love with this hotel

by chelleseagirl

My boyfriend and I have stayed here twice (he surprised me both times)... because I have always been fascinated with the building and its history. The hotel is under new ownership and is being renovated (for good reasons i'm sure) but For the full "chelsea" feel of the hotel i recommend going soon, before its lost to a new age.

I agree that the hotel is a bit dusty , but I love it! If you are looking for a glamorous cookie cutter place to stay , go with Marriot - but I prefer the craftsmanship in every inch of this bohemian sanctuary.

Read the book - Legends of the Chelsea hotel before you stay and you will have a profound experience, walking the halls with the spirits of the amazing transients (famous or not) of the past.

I look forward to going back soon - enjoy your stay!

• Pros: Full of character and romance (and great restaurant downstairs-El Qijote)
• Cons: Stanly Bard isn't there anymore

02/27/08

The wonderful Hotel Chelsea in NYC!

by Darrr

My stay at the Hotel Chelsea exceeded my expectations. The staff was friendly and knowledgable. The rooms were beautiful, glamorous and comfortable. The lobby and stairwell were full of beautiful art.

Room 105 had a fireplace, window seats, a balcony, a foyer with a marble topped table, stylish curtains and bedspread. The bathroom had new looking mosaic sage green tile and white fixtures.

Room 325 had stained glass accented French doors out to their balcony. Both rooms had new seeming stylish curtains, bedspreads and carpets over wood floors.

The rooms had tiled kitchenettes and large closets. The hotel hallways were paved with marble!

From reading reviews, I had expected a bad smell in the hotel, but none of us detected any. The hotel seemed nice and clean, for a 100+ yr old building. There were no insects, no other issues.

The friendly doorman, when told that we'd come to NY to see Eddie Izzard perform (British actor/comedian), informed us Eddie lived in Rm 325 in 1998, which was a big thrill for us.

• Pros: Ambiance, service, artwork, great staff, location, wood and marble floors, clean
• Cons: no irons or hairdryers

08/08/07

Overprice & smelly hotel

by torootm

It smells badly like dead fishes in the lobby, rooms, and especially the elevator. Because we arrived at the hotel at very late night, they ran out of the room for the price we reserved and upgraded us. They just told us that we need to move to the next day without any further information about exactly when to move. The next day came and they moved our luggages only in the room without asking or call us and tossed our personal things we left in the bathroom. The new room cost $250/per night but it absolutely wasn't and never won't be worth it. It was disgusting. The room smelled and the bottom of the bathtube looked horriblely dark as if it has been mildewed so that I couldn't even stand for taking a shower and I had to stop breathing in order to use the toilet. In such a bad condition, the owner still told us how wonderful that room is so that I doubted if he is blind. This hotel is only worth it to take a look of their art displays in the lobby. Don't be cheated by the comments made on the magazines which introduced it. I wonder whoever wrote down those good comments about this hotel really have ever stayed in this hotel cause if you stay in this hotel even at a upscale room, you won't miss the stinky smell. Save the money to a hotel that is worth the price you pay. The quality of this hotel and its services don't even meet the AVERAGE level.

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad services, smell everywher

08/23/04

A landmark hotel on the fringe of Chelsea.

by Contributor

Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Bruce, Willem de Kooning, Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller and Sam Shepard have all hung their hats here. This should give you an idea of the funky, creative spirit that lingers in the air. It's sandwiched between gallery-strewn Chelsea and conventional Herald Square. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1884 as a co-op, and many elaborate details remain--splendid wrought-iron banisters and balconies, carved marble fireplaces and decorative friezes and moldings. The property continues to attract creative types, but its appeal has broadened, thanks to reasonable rates, upgraded accommodations and neighborhood gentrification. The 400 rooms are comfortable, and what they lack in decor they make up for in size and soundproofing. They're furnished with an eclectic mix of often mismatched pieces. Many have wood-burning fireplaces and/or kitchenettes. Rooms don't automatically come with TVs, but they can be requested.

03/02/03

Gross

by jschmier

The lobby, elevator, and hallways smell. The rooms are dusty and the air vents are black because they have so much dirt on them. I would not ever consider staying there.

06/26/02

The Chelsea: a Bohemian Artist's dream

by stickytimber

Stayed there back in '95. Loved it. Ask for a room facing the back. great view! Reasonable rates. Located near many attractions. A great place for young college students with an appreciation for art.

05/17/02

Just like home

by erikadykstra_citysearch

Find beautiful, original artwork in the lobby and hallways. Warm and welcoming, the hotel feels like home from the moment you arrive, as long as "home" is more cozy than modern and you value character over lavish amenities. On my last visit I was offered a free upgrade to a studio suite which I greatly appreciated (I was staying here for more than a week). Unfortunately it took nearly 7 days for them to fix the broken TV in my room. Great restaurants in Chelsea. Walking distance to the village.