The Hotel Chelsea

Sleep inside New York's creative history

★★★★★📍 Chelsea, Manhattan$$$

The building itself is a character. A grand staircase winds up through the center beneath a skylight, hung with art by past residents, and the lobby and corridors carry the same atmosphere of creative history. Rooms vary widely, from compact standards to large suites, and the restoration kept the quirks of a historic building, including high ceilings, original details and rooms of different shapes. Expect a mix of vintage touches and modern conveniences, and check room descriptions for size, because some rooms are small by design. The hotel includes a restaurant and bar spaces, a lobby gallery and a garden, though offerings change over time, so check the current amenities before booking.

The location in Chelsea is excellent for exploring. The High Line, Chelsea Market and the Whitney Museum are a short walk west, the gallery district of West Chelsea is a few blocks away, and the Flatiron District, Union Square and Greenwich Village lie to the south and east. The subway at 23rd Street connects with several lines, and Penn Station and Madison Square Garden are a short walk north. In the evenings, Chelsea's restaurants and bars provide plenty of choice, and the neighborhood's mix of residential streets and art venues makes it one of the pleasant bases in Manhattan.

Who it suits: couples, art lovers, music fans and anyone who enjoys a hotel with history. Light sleepers should ask for a quieter room, because West 23rd Street is busy and historic buildings carry some noise, and people who prefer large, uniform rooms may be happier at a modern property. Rates are typically in the upper-mid-range to high range and vary by season and room type. A good plan is to spend a morning exploring the building's history, then walk to the High Line and Chelsea Market for lunch, spend the afternoon at the Whitney or in the galleries and finish with dinner in the West Village. For New York devotees, there is no better place to sleep.