A Bonafide Flophouse?
Two issues have come to our attention recently. One is the alarming number of missing rosettes on the 
staircase railing. Somebody needs to look into preventing this mindless vandalism in the future. The second issue is that BD Hotels has now embarked on a rate cutting policy. Below are some of the rates we've heard about.
Shared Bath Studio: $99.00
Full Bath Studio: $129.00
Junior SUITE: $149.
One Bedroom Suite: $169.
TWO Bedroom Suite: Just $179.
They have also added a book online button to www.hotelchelsea.com so you can check the rates yourself.
Though we’ve long argued that rates should be lower in order for writers and artists and other creatively minded individuals who genuinely want to stay here. This policy flies in the face of what’s being going on with the Board pressuring Stanley to raise rates to make more money. So what gives? Are they trying to turn this place into a bonafide flophouse? Also disturbing is the fact that another resident spotted an apparently homeless woman camping with her bags in the hallway. On the other hand, perhaps they are trying to compete with other hotels that are offering lower rates to attract people during the sweltering month of July. But since when has the Chelsea had to compete? Maybe since they lost customers who don't want a corporate experience.
Back in late December/early January the Bards ran a special where they lowered the rates but it was not nearly so drastic as this one -- more like a normal hotel discount -- and what's more it was specifically targeted to people on their mailing list, that is fans of the hotel. Who are we targeting now?
They have also added a book online button to www.hotelchelsea.com so you can check the rates yourself.
Though we’ve long argued that rates should be lower in order for writers and artists and other creatively minded individuals who genuinely want to stay here. This policy flies in the face of what’s being going on with the Board pressuring Stanley to raise rates to make more money. So what gives? Are they trying to turn this place into a bonafide flophouse? Also disturbing is the fact that another resident spotted an apparently homeless woman camping with her bags in the hallway. On the other hand, perhaps they are trying to compete with other hotels that are offering lower rates to attract people during the sweltering month of July. But since when has the Chelsea had to compete? Maybe since they lost customers who don't want a corporate experience. Back in late December/early January the Bards ran a special where they lowered the rates but it was not nearly so drastic as this one -- more like a normal hotel discount -- and what's more it was specifically targeted to people on their mailing list, that is fans of the hotel. Who are we targeting now?
Or, is this just a ploy to get the occupancy rates up so they'll look good on paper?
The reason we mention these two things together is that there could be some relations. While the rosettes started to disappear earlier this year the vandalism seems to have increased in the past month. People coming here who have no knowledge of the history of the hotel probably figure why not? after all it's a cool souvenir. They don’t have any respect for the history of the hotel. But does BD Hotels have any respect either? What are they doing to prevent this?
The reason we mention these two things together is that there could be some relations. While the rosettes started to disappear earlier this year the vandalism seems to have increased in the past month. People coming here who have no knowledge of the history of the hotel probably figure why not? after all it's a cool souvenir. They don’t have any respect for the history of the hotel. But does BD Hotels have any respect either? What are they doing to prevent this?
As for the rates, while we do think that the rates should be lower it’s not a fire sale and we don't need to compete for every clueless tourist on the face of the earth. We want people to come here because they love the Chelsea not solely because it is cheap. -- Ed Hamilton
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