Has The Chelsea Upgraded?

            According to a recent article in USA Today, hotels are spending billions on upgrades.  Here at the Chelsea, we do seem to be upgrading gradually, but this mainly involves just getting decent furniture in some of the rooms.  Back in the 90s we replaced the florescent lights and the checkerboard linoleum in the halls, so I guess that counts for something too.

            The article goes on to note that, as hotels upgrade, oldtime features are abandoned, things such as:

Floral, synthetic bedspreads: Yes!  We still have them!  And they are more hideous than you can imagine. (Photo: A tourist relaxing on her floral bedspread.)

Toilet Seat Sanitizer Bands: never seen them here, nor sanitized toilets either, for that matter.

Ashtrays: we have clear glass ones, and I still see them floating around from time to time. (Note the glass ash tray on the table in the tourist's photo)

Wake-up calls from real people: nope, they’re automated here.

Vibrating beds: good question.  I don’t know if we have ever had them, but if we have, there are probably some still down in the basement.

Brass room keys: we still have them.

Postcards and Stationary: you would have to ask for stationary at the desk, and they may or may not give it to you, depending on what kind of mood they are in.  Good luck getting a postcard.

Windows that open: we still have these, unless they have been painted shut.

Logo Towels: are you kidding!?

Wall Mounted hair dryers: you have to ask for a hair dryer at the desk.  I have seen people get them on rare occasions when they were very insistent.

Shoehorns, sewing kits, shoe buffers:  I believe I’ve seen a Chelsea shoe buffer.  I actually own a Chelsea shower bonnet!

It’s pretty much hit and miss here.  But all in all, we are doing pretty well, I suppose, for a hotel that didn’t have computers until 1999. (Ed Hamilton)

Comments

[bluehour]

Remember the olden days (2001) when the Chelsea had no amenities, no shower bonnet, no shampoo with the hotel logo, just a tiny bar of generic soap of uncertain fragrance and nonexistent lather?