Chelsea Inn

2/22/2026. I booked Room 503 Door #2 at Chelsea Inn so I could get to work conveniently the next day during the snow storm. The room itself is very small, just enough space for a queen bed, a narrow walkway, a small closet, and a cabinet with a coffee maker and microwave. The bathroom is shared, so whether the toilet and bath are clean depends on how messy the people in the other room are. There's no elevator, and from the 5th floor you face 4 flights of stairs at what I estimate is a 50 degree incline. Heavy luggage would be a challenge. I'd suggest getting the 1st or 2nd floor if you have big bags. On the plus side, the room was very clean and secure, with regular and face towels, a floor towel for after the shower, and a roll of toilet paper. There was coffee and cups, a small closet with a Safe for valuables, and the room was warm on this winter night. You can turn on the AC if it gets too warm. The lobby also has Keurig coffee and granola snacks.

For a good value in NY, this hotel is in a handy spot near lots of NYC attractions and the subway. If it's your first visit, learning the subway can save a lot since cab and Uber fares add up, and riding it is part of the NY experience. The service was great, and the room had a fridge, microwave, body wash and shampoo in one, plus lotion and hand soap in the bathroom. It's not luxurious, but the price and location make it a solid choice.

Getting around NYC from here was easy, and the location was exactly where I wanted to be. The room, though, was cramped, the bed only so-so, and the tiny bathroom had a weak shower. There was no cleaning during my stay, and a big pipe in the room made noise at all hours. It took a couple of nights to get used to the heat and the noise, and I slept okay after that. It wasn't a bad stay, but it felt lacking, so I'd look elsewhere next time I visit the city.

I paid in advance for four nights, then my flights were cancelled because of the approaching NYC area blizzard, which the news described as a once-in-ten-years storm. I called several hours before check-in, but the hotel wouldn't refund me or offer any other help. Their complete lack of concern left me with one of the worst customer service experiences I've had. I felt they saw customers as nothing but a source of money.