Moxy NYC Chelsea Review 2026 – Is It Worth Staying Here?

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Quick Verdict: Would I Stay at Moxy NYC Chelsea Again?

Yes, I’d stay at Moxy NYC Chelsea again. I’d particularly stay here again for a shorter New York trip where I knew I’d spend most of my day exploring and wanted somewhere central to come back to at night.

The biggest selling point for me was our view. Opening the curtains and having the Empire State Building directly in front of us was one of those little New York moments that made the room feel much more special.

I also really liked the location. Being able to get from JFK to Penn Station on the LIRR and then walk to our hotel made arriving in Manhattan really easy.

The rooms are small, but I think Moxy has been clever with the space rather than trying to squeeze traditional hotel furniture into a tiny New York room. There are quite a few storage options that you don’t necessarily notice when you first walk in.

Then you’ve got the rest of the hotel. There are bars, somewhere to get coffee and breakfast, a pizza restaurant and The Fleur Room rooftop, which means you don’t necessarily have to leave the hotel if you want a drink in the evening.

For £147.77 for our City View room, I thought it was really good value for the location and experience we had.

The Room I Booked at Moxy NYC Chelsea

I booked a 1 King Bed, City View room for our stay. When we checked in, the member of staff asked whether we’d like one of the higher-floor rooms. It’s such a small thing, but I really appreciated being asked.

I’ve stayed in New York hotels before where the check-in staff haven’t been the most welcoming, so this was actually one of the things I noticed about Moxy Chelsea. The staff were really friendly, gave us complimentary bottles of water and made the whole check-in process easy.

We ended up in room 2310 on the 23rd floor. As soon as I saw the view, I knew we’d made the right decision going higher. We had an amazing view towards the Empire State Building, which was easily my favourite part of the room. Moxy Chelsea has huge floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows, so the view feels like an amazing feature of the room rather than something you can only see if you stand in one particular corner.

If you’re deciding between the standard room and a City View room and the difference in price isn’t huge, I’d personally pay a little extra for the view. There’s something about waking up and seeing the Empire State Building from bed that reminds you exactly where you are.

Are the Rooms at Moxy NYC Chelsea Small?

Yes, the rooms are small. But I think it’s important to put that into context because small hotel rooms are very normal in New York. I knew this before booking, so it wasn’t something that bothered me. What I was more interested in was whether the room actually felt practical once we had our luggage inside.

And I think Moxy has done a really good job here. Instead of filling the room with bulky wardrobes, desks and chairs, they’ve used the walls. There’s a peg system with hangers and foldaway furniture, including a table that you can take down when you need it.

That means you can use the table when you’re getting ready, eating or need somewhere to put things and then move it out of the way afterwards. There’s also storage underneath the bed, which is useful for getting your luggage off the floor.

We were only travelling with two cabin bags, so storage wasn’t an issue for us at all. We could easily put everything away and still move around the room comfortably.

If you’re travelling with two large checked suitcases, I’d keep the size in mind because you’re obviously going to notice it more. But I wouldn’t look at photos of the room and automatically assume there’s nowhere to put anything because there is more storage than it initially looks like.

Personally, I’d rather have a smaller room with clever storage, a great location and an Empire State Building view than a bigger room that puts me much further away from where I want to be.

What Is the Bathroom Like at Moxy NYC Chelsea?

This is probably the biggest thing I’d make sure you know before booking. The sink is inside the bedroom. The shower and toilet are in their own separate areas, but rather than having a traditional bathroom where everything is behind one door, the sink and mirror form part of the bedroom.

I’ve noticed this becoming more common in newer boutique-style hotels and I know it’s something people have very mixed opinions about. Personally, I don’t actually mind it.

If I’m travelling with my partner or someone I’m really comfortable with, having the sink in the room doesn’t bother me. It also makes sense when you look at how Moxy has designed the rooms because it’s another way of using a small amount of space efficiently.

But I can see why some people wouldn’t like it. If you’re sharing with a friend and you both prefer a bit more privacy when getting ready, I’d definitely look properly at the room layout before booking. It’s not something that would stop me staying again, but it’s something I’d want to know beforehand.

How Comfortable Are the Beds at Moxy Chelsea?

I slept surprisingly well here. This was our first night in New York, and I usually never sleep particularly well on the first night of a trip.

You’ve got the flight, the time difference and that feeling of being somewhere new, so I normally accept that the first night’s sleep isn’t going to be the best. But I actually slept really well at Moxy Chelsea. The bed was super comfortable and the pillows were really soft. Despite being right in Manhattan, I also didn’t find our room particularly noisy during the night.

We were staying quite high up on the 23rd floor, which may have helped with street noise, but I don’t remember being disturbed during the night. After travelling from the UK and spending the evening exploring New York, that comfortable bed was very much appreciated.

How Much Did I Pay for Moxy NYC Chelsea?

I paid £147.77 for one night in September for a 1 King Bed, City View room. For New York, I was really happy with that price.

Hotel prices in NYC change constantly depending on the time of year, how far ahead you’re booking and what’s happening in the city during your dates. September can also be a busy time in New York, so I was particularly happy to find a room with an Empire State Building view for under £150.

I wouldn’t expect to find exactly the same price every time, but if I saw this room for around that price again, I’d book it. It’s also worth comparing the City View room with the standard rooms when you’re booking. If there’s only a relatively small difference, I’d personally pay more for the view.

The Moxy NYC Chelsea Destination Fee

One thing worth knowing before booking Moxy NYC Chelsea is that the hotel does have a daily destination fee.

When I booked, the destination fee was already included in the hotel price I paid, rather than being an additional charge when I arrived. I paid £147.77 in total for my 1 King Bed, City View room, so I’d definitely check the final price when you’re booking to see whether the fee has already been included in your rate.

You do get some benefits as part of the destination fee too, so make sure you actually use them during your stay. One of the main inclusions is a $20 daily food and drink credit, which you can use at selected food and drink outlets within the hotel. This is particularly useful if you’re planning to grab breakfast, coffee or drinks at the hotel anyway.

I know destination fees can be frustrating when they’re added onto what initially looks like a really good hotel rate, but in my case I liked knowing that it had already been factored into the price I’d paid. Just remember that when you’re comparing Moxy Chelsea with other New York hotels, it’s the final price including any fees that you really want to compare.

Is Moxy NYC Chelsea in a Good Area?

The location was one of my favourite things about this hotel. Moxy NYC Chelsea is at 105 West 28th Street, in Chelsea’s Flower District. You’re in a really useful part of Manhattan because you can easily walk to places including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Flatiron, NoMad and Herald Square.

You’re also close to Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. Penn Station was particularly important for us because we had just flown into JFK. Rather than getting a taxi all the way into Manhattan, we took the LIRR from JFK towards Penn Station and then walked to Moxy Chelsea. From leaving JFK to getting into this part of Manhattan, it took us roughly 40 minutes, which made the journey much easier than I expected.

And our arrival in New York was actually quite memorable. Harry Styles was playing at Madison Square Garden when we visited, so the area around Penn Station was really busy when we came out. There were people everywhere and loads going on. Instead of finding it annoying after a flight, I actually loved it because you immediately felt like you were in New York.

We’d gone from the airport to stepping out into the middle of Manhattan with Madison Square Garden right there and the city completely full of people. The hotel is also close to several subway stations, so once you’ve checked in, it’s really easy to get around the rest of New York.

What I Loved About Moxy NYC Chelsea

The Empire State Building view was easily my favourite part of staying here. If I’m booking a hotel in New York and there’s an option to have a skyline view without the price becoming ridiculous, I’ll usually choose it. I spend so much of a New York trip outside exploring that coming back and still being able to see the city from my room makes the hotel feel like part of the trip.

I also really liked the hotel’s overall style. It doesn’t feel like a traditional corporate hotel. The rooms have more of an industrial feel with the huge warehouse-style windows, exposed storage and foldaway furniture. The whole idea behind the rooms seems to be making a small space as functional as possible.

I also have to mention the staff again because our check-in experience really stood out. Being offered a higher-floor room and given bottles of water might sound minor, but after a long journey, having someone actually make an effort at check-in makes a difference.

And then there was the bed. A great view is lovely, but if I can’t sleep, I’m probably not going to recommend the hotel. I found the bed really comfortable and slept much better than I expected to on our first night in New York.

What I’d Change and What You Need to Know Before Booking

There wasn’t anything during my stay that would stop me booking Moxy Chelsea again, but there are definitely a few things I’d think about depending on the type of trip you’re planning.

The first is obviously room size. For two of us staying one night with cabin bags, it worked really well. If we were staying for ten nights with two huge suitcases and lots of shopping, I might feel differently. That doesn’t necessarily mean I wouldn’t stay here for a longer trip, but I’d compare the room size and price with other hotels before booking.

The second is the bathroom. I didn’t mind the sink being in the bedroom, but I know plenty of people will. If you’re booking a girls trip and sharing with someone you don’t know quite as well, you might prefer a hotel with a more traditional bathroom.

Food and Drink at Moxy NYC Chelsea

There’s actually quite a lot going on inside the hotel when it comes to food and drinks.

On the ground floor you’ve got Café d’Avignon, which is really useful in the morning if you want to grab coffee, pastries or breakfast before heading out. Hotel guests can currently get complimentary drip coffee during the morning too, so that’s worth knowing before you automatically head out to buy your first coffee of the day.

There’s also Luchini Italian, where you can grab pizza and sandwiches. I think having somewhere like this inside the hotel is particularly useful on your first night. Sometimes after travelling you don’t want to research a restaurant, make another journey across Manhattan and sit down for a full meal. Being able to grab pizza downstairs is an easy option.

Up on the second floor you’ve got the Lobby Bar and a much larger communal area. This is another reason the small bedrooms didn’t bother me too much. Moxy has deliberately made the rooms compact and then given guests much bigger shared spaces elsewhere in the hotel. You can sit here during the day, have a drink later on or use it as somewhere to get out of your room if you need to work for a while.

The Fleur Room Rooftop Bar

One place I’d definitely visit while staying at Moxy Chelsea is The Fleur Room. It’s on the 35th floor of the hotel and has panoramic views across Manhattan, including a brilliant view towards the Empire State Building.

This is particularly worth knowing if you love the hotel but don’t want to pay extra for one of the City View rooms. You can still head upstairs and get those New York skyline views from the rooftop. I’d try to go around sunset if you can because seeing Manhattan change from daytime into all the city lights coming on is always one of my favourite things to do in New York.

Hotel guests currently get priority access before midnight, although it’s worth remembering that The Fleur Room is a proper rooftop bar and access can still depend on capacity and private events.

Other Facilities at Moxy NYC Chelsea

Moxy Chelsea doesn’t have a pool, which personally wouldn’t bother me for a city break because I probably wouldn’t use one in New York anyway.

There is a 24-hour fitness centre if you want to use the gym during your stay.

The hotel is also dog-friendly, although there are fees and restrictions, so I’d check the current pet policy before booking if you’re planning to bring a dog.

For me, though, the facilities that actually mattered were the bars, café, food options and rooftop. They’re the things I was much more likely to use during a New York trip.

Who Would I Recommend Moxy NYC Chelsea For?

I think Moxy Chelsea would work really well for a two person girls trip to New York. You’ve got a great location, somewhere to get ready, drinks downstairs and a rooftop bar without having to leave the hotel. I’d just make sure you’re comfortable with the bathroom layout before booking.

I’d also recommend it for couples. The King room worked really well for two of us and if you can get one of the City View rooms, I think the Empire State Building view makes it feel much more special.

For solo travellers, I think the room concept probably works even better. You don’t need loads of floor space for one person and you’ve got the communal areas downstairs if you don’t want to spend your evening sitting alone in your room.

For a longer stay, I’d base my decision on how much luggage I was bringing. If I was coming to New York for three or four nights with a cabin bag, I’d happily stay here. If I was planning a much longer trip with large suitcases, I’d compare it with some slightly bigger rooms elsewhere.

FAQs About Moxy NYC Chelsea

Is Moxy NYC Chelsea worth it?

Based on my experience, yes, I think Moxy NYC Chelsea is worth it, particularly if you can find a City View room for a good price. I paid £147.77 for one night and thought that was really good value considering our Empire State Building view, the Chelsea location and the facilities within the hotel. I wouldn’t book it if having a large bedroom is really important to you, but if you’re happy with a smaller room and plan to spend most of your time exploring New York, I’d definitely consider it.

Are the rooms at Moxy NYC Chelsea small?

Yes. The rooms at Moxy Chelsea are designed as micro-rooms, so they’re considerably more compact than the bedrooms you’d find at some traditional hotels. However, they’ve been designed with the smaller space in mind. There are wall pegs and hangers instead of a bulky wardrobe, foldaway furniture and storage underneath the bed. We had two cabin bags and had absolutely no problem with storage.

Which Moxy Chelsea rooms have Empire State Building views?

We booked a 1 King Bed, City View room and stayed in room 2310 on the 23rd floor. Our room had an amazing direct view towards the Empire State Building. Views will obviously depend on your particular room and floor, so I wouldn’t assume every City View room will have exactly the same view. If the Empire State Building view is important to you, I’d ask the hotel when checking in.

Does Moxy NYC Chelsea have a rooftop bar?

Yes. The Fleur Room is the rooftop bar on the 35th floor of Moxy NYC Chelsea. It has panoramic Manhattan views and you can see the Empire State Building, so I’d still visit even if your room doesn’t come with a skyline view.

Does Moxy NYC Chelsea have breakfast?

There’s no traditional hotel breakfast buffet included as standard, but Café d’Avignon is inside the hotel and serves coffee, pastries and breakfast. Hotel guests can also currently get complimentary drip coffee during set morning hours.

Does Moxy NYC Chelsea have a destination fee?

Yes. The hotel currently charges a $35 destination fee per room, per night. One of the main benefits included is a $20 daily food and drink credit that can be used at selected outlets inside the hotel. There are other benefits included too, so I’d check what’s being offered when you book and actually make use of them during your stay.

Is Moxy NYC Chelsea close to Penn Station?

Yes, Penn Station is within walking distance. This was really useful for us because we took the LIRR from JFK into Penn Station and then walked to the hotel. If you’re flying into JFK and planning to use public transport rather than getting a taxi, I think the location is a big selling point.

Is Moxy NYC Chelsea noisy?

I can only speak from my own experience, but I slept really well and didn’t find our room particularly noisy. We were on the 23rd floor, so being higher up may have helped. For such a central Manhattan hotel, I was actually surprised by how well I slept.

I hope you found this Moxy NYC Chelsea review useful, if you’re planning your own New York trip, you can also read my New York Travel Guide and my guide to the best hotels in New York City with a view for more of the hotels, areas and places I’d recommend.

Check out my other New York guides here:

• New York City Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
• 31 Best Things To Do in New York City
• 4 Days in New York City Itinerary
• 4 Days in New York Christmas Itinerary
• The BEST Hotels in New York City With a View
• How to Get From JFK Airport to Manhattan by Subway (Under $20)
• New York Monthly Guides