A Slightly Ghetto Experience
Earlier this week I was bored stiff and a friend of mine was going on a road trip and invited me. I packed an overnight bag and we hit the road. The agenda was from Montego Bay to St Elizabeth, then Mandeville, spend the night in Kingston and then back to Montego Bay the following day. I had absolutely no reason to go except that I wanted to get out of Mobay!
The drive was awesome and I saw and experienced many things on the way which I will blog about later. But I just HAD to write about this most ghetto place we found to stay! The Chelsea Hotel in Kingston 10. If you Google it, it says “Chelsea Hotel and Amusement Center” but there wasn’t much amusing about it. It was a dive BUT there were some redeeming qualities if you can look past the appearance.
We arrived late at night, after 10:00pm and by that point I really didn’t care where I slept, I just wanted a bed. The room was only $4000 jmd and although I’ve paid way less for a much nicer room in Ocho Rios, this is Kingston and nothing is ultra-cheap there. Upon entering the room my first thoughts were, “okay yup it’s ghetto” but then I tested the bed and it was surprisingly comfortable. The room was hot and had no windows, it felt like a cell block. But there was an ancient air conditioner on the wall that actually BLASTED itself so well that I had to get up in the night and turn it off! And the TV was locked in a cage on the wall, just like the place I stayed at on Leaders, top road, Montego Bay a couple years ago. I get a kick out of locked up TV’s.
We slept pretty good that night and woke up in the morning to the room as dark as it was the night before, no windows. But here are the better, more redeeming qualities of the place. As I said the AC was crazy cold so it works! I was shocked to find out the hot water tap actually worked because most cheap places don’t have it. Even some pricier places don’t have it! The sink faucets in the bathroom were more sparkling than most places I’ve ever stayed! And one of my favorite things about the place is that it has a bar in the courtyard area and even though I never went to the bar I could hear the music playing from it well into the night. This is a welcome change from where I’ve been living in Ironshore, Montego Bay the last 1.5 months. I hate quiet nights in Jamaica…I need music in the air. There is also a billiards bar attached and right in front at the hotel. Great if you want to shoot some pool.
The location of the hotel is great, it’s just around the corner from the MUCH nicer Knutsford Court hotel in the New Kingston area. Not far from the transport center in Halfway Tree and major conveniences either. We had intended to go to a party this night but crapped out early. Although we did wake up around 2am and drove out to find some refreshments. While on the road we passed 3 major street party locations all within 10 minutes drive of the hotel. That information might suit someone who wants to go to Kingston just for a party night and needs a cheap place to crash.
I found this sign at the front of the hotel entertaining…this is a great place if you like Skittles LOL. I have no idea what a Skittle table is but it sounds colorful.
That’s my official review of Chelsea Hotel in Kingston. There’s not much more to say. I can’t give you any reservation information because there really isn’t any. Just call them and take your chances or walk in at 10:00pm like we did!
Comments
20 responses to “Chelsea Hotel In Kingston, Jamaica”
I know the owners. It used to be a much nicer looking place 5+ years ago but has fallen on hard times like so many other things recently
By the looks of photos I found online it did look a lot nicer at one time. It definitely served it’s purpose though and I kinda like roughing it anyway.
Hey I tweeted you when I was in Kingston….wish we could have linked. I was only there the one night.
Wow! I stayed there in May 2008 and had the same horrible experience. This was the most horrible hotel I have ever stayed at and I have stayed at a few. Its like a prison. I recall asking about the plugs being so high and the man at the front desk told me that he put the plugs high so the guests would not plug in all kinds of things to he would end up with a high light bill.
LOOOL about the high plugs! It’s true! For a while I was looking to charge my blackberry and couldn’t find a plug!
Oh yeah, good stuff… now I can go to bed. And what’s this about you having a twitter account? How many ways can I stalk you… O.K. I’m even scaring myself now.
LOOOL Heather! That’s okay because in the blogging world, stalking is the name of the game! Without readers I’d have no one to write for!
OK, good, I’m new to all this… your my first. aww… I just made it official… I’ve added you to my favorites.
enjoyed your story and review,thanks for sharing Kristi,one love
i stay there already it was awesome back then i mean over 12 years ago at tat time it was really nice.like jamaipanese said
Shame they didn’t keep it up because the location is pretty great and it looks like there’s plenty to do on the property.
Do they offer deals for people that just want to a room for a few hours?
I have no idea Jason. You will have to contact them to find out.
How do I get information on this hotel?
Look for it on Google I guess. That’s what I would do if I were looking.
Their website is on this link:
http://discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/gateway_ads/chelsea/chelsea.html
I stayed there back in 1989 it was very nice clean ac worked grate they had a grapevine that we walk through to get our rooms…it was a great experience 💜
Last year (January 2013) it was closed down!
Good to know! Thanks Michelle!
Can you rent a room for a couple hour?
I have no idea Romario. I don’t do that lol