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Tourists With Cameras Heart Hotel Chelsea

Where: 222 W. 23rd St. [map], New York, ny, United States, 10011

Blogger Stephen Art-East reviews the legendary, oft mentioned Hotel Chelsea.

It's not to all tastes, and we've definately stayed in smarter hotels for less in California and been surrounded by rock stars, and Florida as well come to think of it, but the shabbyness of the Chelsea is all part of the deal. There are like-minded souls aplenty however and always someone taking photos on the stairs, tourists hanging out, artists painting pictures in the lobby and long-time hotel residents chatting in the lifts. The room was fine, and very big. The curtains were bust and I don't think it had been painted since 1982.

The staff have clearly been there years and enjoy their ramshackle clientele. The other thing you won't find at the Chelsea is a overly false, sickly sweet welcome. The check-in staff will be friendly, crack a joke to see if you've got a sense of humour, throw you your keys and let you get on with it. We were invited to a party on the roof (by some residents staggering down from there), but as neither of them were the hosts we decided to give it a miss. They said 'don't worry, no-one will know you've not been invited directly', and they were probably right. It's that sort of place.

By the way, we don't know many hotels in Manhattan where you will get a "sickly sweet welcome", but we will keep looking.

[via [Hotel Chelsea Blog]

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