We just got back from a night at the new Chelsea hotel. It is located on the south end of Atlantic City near the Tropicana. Spending the night were my 11yo daughter and I in one room and my husband and 14yo son in the next room over.
First the good-
The public areas of the hotel are great. The pool which is open now is on the fifth floor roof. (Another roof top pool will open in the future on another roof which is on a higher floor on another part of the hotel). The pool water was quite cold. I didn't swim in it. There are plenty of nice lounge chairs and lots of attendants to bring fluffy white towels and covering for the chairs. There are lots of waitresses there to bring you drinks too. The pool area is quite attractive and boasts lots of private cabanas ($75 a day I think but that may be the ones on the beach) and one big cabana which is $600 for the day. All have Bose Speakers. There are other outdoor areas on the fifth floor to sit in and enjoy the ocean views which abound. They have a great game room with free pool, books, and many games to choose from. They offer free coffee and tea in the mornings up there too. Then there is a big lounge area with lots of sofas and chairs and a nice fireplace to sit by. Also there is a fine steak and seafood dining room that just opened with sweeping views of the ocean. I can't recall the name. The fifth floor is a great place to relax and kick back whether rain or shine.
The lobby, while small, is nicely appointed with contemporary design and fresh fragrant flowers.
The beach area is fantastic. The hotel has a place set up where they will bring you complementary lounge chairs, towels, umbrellas, tables, and garbage pails. They also have boogy boards for your use. You can also rent cabanas for I believe $75/day. What a great benefit to have the chairs/umbrellas. The hotel offers free use of bicycles and they also have "tip only" (no fee) boardwalk taxis. Those are the folks that pull you by walking in the carriages. Really nice touches for sure.
Now the not so good-
Remember that I think our visit may be still part of the soft opening for the hotel although we were neve told that the hotel was under a soft opening. My husband/son's room' TV did not work. We called many many times and noone bothered to come and fix it although several times we were told people were on their way. We also told the concierge about the TV.
At 10pm (yes 10pm!) we received a knock on the door (as did my husband in his room) for turn down service. I've never ever been to a hotel where they came at 10pm. Ridiculous.
We had no safe in our room which would have been very nice since when you go to the beach you don't want to bring your jewelry or wallet often.
Elevators are SLOW. Hotel employees often held the elevators for other employees or would get on before guests who were waiting as well. Guests should always go first.
There is no place at the hotel to eat breakfast or lunch right now. I think that may change in the future.
Although I like the way the public areas of the hotel are decorated I really dislike the room decoration. I wish I could name the 'style'. Let's just say it is a cross between the 50's, Art Deco, and Pier 1. Really not my style. A mishmash for sure. The bathroom was nice though with a shower and no tub and one sink.




