The Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City

Posted by: Melissa W. // October 29 2009

Craving a swanky travel-and-stay one early autumn weekend, we set out for The Chelsea in Atlantic City. Our fun getaway came with a few surprises.

Checking in, we were greeted at the front desk by the genuinely gracious and accommodating Monique, who became our go-to girl over the course of our stay.

The Chelsea promises “a design and spirit that recall the classic era of Atlantic City’s mythic past,” which is “evocative and comfortable at the same time.” The architectural details and spaces deliver the promise with delight. Every nook and cranny of The Chelsea was thoughtfully considered and tastefully designed. The overall ambiance met our expectations and encouraged us to explore the entire hotel.

The “luxe tower” bed and linens were true to their name, and the food at Teplitzky’s was a good choice for midday coffee and pie, as well as breakfast in bed. (Sly note: they melt butter into their pancake syrup – delicious!)

A little legwork before our visit would have maximized our getaway. Here’s how to enhance your Chelsea experience:

Call ahead for any specific amenities that interest you. When we booked, activities such as “yoga” were mentioned on the site, but not available during our stay. We also received conflicting information about room service. During our first call, we were informed that it was “closed for the winter.” A second call revealed that it was available – but only for breakfast on the weekends.

If you crave a true view of the ocean in the “Luxe Tower”, request an “Ocean Front” room. This room is very different from the vaguely labeled “Ocean King and Queen” rooms listed on the hotel website. If you don’t request “Ocean Front” you may end up with one of the corner rooms. These rooms are described as “Direct Ocean View” – yet only provide a 2’ wide x 4’ deep window that barely revealed the ocean.
If your preference is a luxuriously spacious bathroom (and not an Ocean Front view), then request the corner rooms in the “Luxe Tower
The higher the floor number, the greater the chance of having an unobstructed view of the ocean.
Plan your fitness pursuits outside of the hotel. Their “cutting edge” fitness center is akin to most mid-level hotel fitness centers

Venturing outside the hotel is also recommended. The bluemercury spa next door at the Tropicana was fabulous. Also, Stephen Starr’s “The Continental” at The Pier Shops at Caesars is worth the 5-minute walk up the Boardwalk. The Pier Shops also have various restaurants and sweeping views of the ocean on the top floor with casual seating.
Make TripAdvisor your new best friend. Check www.tripadvisor.com for the latest reviews prior to booking, paying close attention to problems with specific rooms.

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