Chelsea Inn

Profile

As any New Yorker will affirm, just when you think you’ve found the perfect place to live, there’s a catch—sometimes lots of them. In Chelsea Inn’s case, the location of this historic 19th-century, four-story townhouse is its strong suit. The hotel is a few steps from the shops, restaurants and bars of Fifth Avenue; a short walk from Greenwich Village; and near a half-dozen subway lines. Rooms also have coffeemakers and many of the bathrooms (some private, some shared) have murals. The catches, however, could be deal-breakers for more picky travelers. Traffic noise from 17th Street will give light-sleeping guests in street-side rooms a rude awakening. While some visitors may enjoy techno music, they may not enjoy hearing it thumping away until 4 a.m. at the dance club next door. The stairways, typical for buildings of this vintage, are creaky and narrow—no small challenge for the poor soul with lots of luggage and a room on the fifth floor. There are no elevators. The rooms and suites are poorly lit and styled in an odd mishmash of country homeliness (patchwork quilts on the beds) and roaring-twenties opulence (gold velvet drapes) that’s enough to make you want to turn the light off, put in some earplugs, and go to sleep. — Andrew Wang

Location, location, location.

Cons
Noise could be a major issue and the rates are a bit pricey on account of the hotel’s location, not its amenities.