When one thinks of a past New York landmark, it is usually with an ache of nostalgia, for it no longer exists. Studio 54 has long since closed its doors, Barney’s went bankrupt, and St. Mark's Bookshop was trampled by e-commerce. Luckily, we still have The Hotel Chelsea, or “The Chelsea Hotel,” as it is lovingly referred to by many of its past inhabitants.

First opening in 1884, for nearly 140 years the hotel has served as a sanctuary for artists (and their muses) from nearly every discipline. In the 50s, poet and playwright Dylan Thomas frequented The Chelsea. In the 60s, Andy Warhol shot his experimental film Chelsea Girls at the hotel, starring musician Nico of The Velvet Underground. In the 70s rock legend Janis Joplin first met Leonard Cohen at The Chelsea, with Cohen immortalizing their stay in his song “Chelsea Hotel #2.” What electromagnetic force exists between the red brick walls of 222 West 23rd Street, pulling the most talented artists of their generation to its center, is ultimately irrelevant. What matters is that The Hotel Chelsea is still here today, and is at its very best.

Reopening in 2022, The Chelsea has been restored to its former glory under the ownership of experienced hoteliers Sean MacPherson, Ira Drukier & Richard Born. From a newly refreshed lobby adorned with the artworks of past tenants to the 158 guest rooms with four-hundred-thread count sheets and flatscreen TVs, The Chelsea bridges the gap between the simplicity of its past and the luxuries of the present. Admire the vintage furniture and the wood-carved fireplace in the lobby while using high-speed wifi, or take a moment to relax at the spa’s Swedish sauna or soaking tubs. It’s all there for you to enjoy.

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel, El Quijote has been an unforgettable part of The Chelsea since the 1930s. The Spanish restaurant and bar was a favorite of artists from Jimi Hendrix to Robert Mapplethorpe, luring customers in with their signature paella and pitchers of sangria. Today it is led by executive chef Jaime Young of Sunday Hospitality and offers dishes inspired by Catalunya, Basque Country and Valencia cuisine. Many of its original details have also been restored, with its iconic mural looking just as impressive as it did nearly a century ago.

In addition to the iconic El Quijote Spanish restaurant at the Chelsea, there is a new restaurant offering for hotel guests and visitors alike. Under the eye of executive chef Derek Boccagno, Café Chelsea offers classic French dishes including Poulet Rôti and Tartare de Boeuf. Featuring a zinc bar and decorative molding, the café interior feels as though it has been a part of The Chelsea since its inception. Furthermore, with a formal dining room, a daytime cafe, and a private dining space, there is room for everyone.

The Hotel Chelsea is a New York landmark that survived. Beyond the luxuries of its spa, fine dining, and gym, it offers guests a glimpse into a New York that no longer exists. One of Beatniks and Rock and Roll and nearly everything else in between. It is a rare instance in which nostalgia doesn’t need to feel painful.

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