Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel: Review
There is no shortage of places to stay in New York City, from budget to bougie. Given how many tourists pass through the city each day, we’re always on the look out for newer properties.
The Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel is the latest addition to the Chelsea neighbourhood in Manhattan, and we were lucky enough to stay there on only their second day of operation!
Here’s what we liked:
Friendly staff
There are plenty of staff on site and they are eager to impress! From the bellhops to the front desk to the housekeeping staff, we found that everyone was welcoming and pleasant, and willing to engage in conversation. In a city like New York where everyone is on the go, this makes a huge difference.
Renaissance Hotels have what they call a Navigator — essentially a concierge who is able to make the recommendations that only locals know. Trenor Wilkins is the Navigator at the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, and although we didn’t make use of his services, it was nice to see him available on site in the lobby.
It rained during our stay, but the bellhops were very accommodating, providing everything we needed to stay comfortable: umbrellas, bottled water, and taxis.
Boutique design & feel
Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel takes its design inspiration from the Flower District, where the hotel is technically situated. The grand archways, wallpaper, and door designs do evoke the feeling of being in a garden villa.
They’ve leaned really heavily into this theme which makes the hotel feel more like a quirky boutique. Chain hotels can get a bad rap for feeling impersonal and generic but the design elements make the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel stand out on its own.
The room we were assigned followed a pretty standard layout as far as New York hotels go.
We had a corner room with a bathroom and bedroom that made good use of the space, and was comfortable enough for two people. It was bright, with a great view of the city and the Empire State Building.
The room design continued the rustic/garden theme with (fake) wood paneling, greenery, and rabbits found throughout the space — touch the rabbit’s butt to turn it on or off! Artwork was curated by IndieWalls.
In the bathroom, you’ll find bronze fixtures and rosemary mint scented Aveda bath products. Our room had a shower with rainfall shower-head.
The bed was comfortable and — this is important — had ample outlets on both bedside tables.
Like most Marriott properties, the TV allowed us to access Netflix, which was great for one of our evenings in. Overall, the room provided a great respite from the chaos of NYC.
Location
Chelsea is our neighbourhood of choice in Manhattan, and a great location if you’re looking to shop, eat & drink (I mean, what else could you possibly want to do?)
Within a few blocks of the hotel, we enjoyed 2 Bros. Pizza (a chain serving up New York style pizza), KazuNori (delicious sushi hand rolls), and Luke’s Lobster (petite but hefty lobster rolls). And just 20 minutes on foot, you’ll the famous Chelsea Market and the High Line & Hudson Yards — featuring Vessel, the newest attraction in New York City.
If you feel like venturing out of the neighbourhood, Chelsea is situated between Times Square to the north and West Village/Soho/Chinatown to the south — all within a 10-15 minute subway ride.
There is just so much to see, do & eat in New York City, you’re sure to find something that interests you. Our best advice: pick a direction and walk!
Amenities
Since there was so much to do in the city, we didn’t have time to check out any of the amenities of the hotel.
The lobby is inviting, with a bar directly connected to it. There’s also a terrace outside for additional seating.
There is a fitness centre on site, and possibly a lounge — it was listed in the elevator directory, but we were told that it wasn’t available for access.
The second floor of the hotel features a few event space, so you can expect that this location will fill up with business conferences and weddings.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to check out the rooftop pool since it doesn’t open until spring. But if the renderings are any indication, it’s going to be an amazing spot for a swim & views of the city.
Room service and a restaurant are available on site, but we did not make use of them.
Marriott Bonvoy elite members take note: we were offered a choice of continental breakfast or points. We opted for points since there are so many incredible options for breakfast in the city.
Verdict
As we’ve already mentioned, there is no shortage of hotels in New York City. Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel has the benefit of being a newer property in a great location, but should you stay here?
Where this hotel really shines is in its level of service and the quality of the rooms, as you’d come to expect from the Marriott family of hotels. It’s got some quirky and interesting design elements that give the hotel a distinct personality, despite the fact that there are 3 Renaissance Hotels in Manhattan alone.
The Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel seems to be geared toward more of a sophisticated traveller — perhaps someone in town on business, someone who values unique design, or someone who does not crave a buzzing social experience like you would find at a Moxy (just a few blocks away) or W Hotel — but we’ll have to visit once the pool opens before we can know for sure 😜
Looking for a spot to eat? Check out our video tour of Chelsea Market!
