Tourists Have More Fun

Plus, they take pictures.   From Stephen Art-East's blog.
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. If you want the maid to come at a convenient time everyday, need a dvd player, mini-bar, club sandwiches delivered to your room and smart decor, don't go to the Chelsea. 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. I enjoyed the exchanges with other guests, generally brief and on the way up to the room.

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.