Prior to going solo, Bashaw worked for Parish-Hadley Associates in New York and with designers Bunny Williams and Charlotte Moss. She has since worked on the interiors of The Virginia Hotel, The Starr Inn, The Sandpiper Beach Club, all of which are situated in the Cape May Area of New Jersey.
How would you describe the style of The Chelsea?
Classic, glamorous and comfortable.
Were you working to a tight brief or could you let your imagination run wild?
I couldn’t run wild but I definitely had fun with the project. I wanted it to be approachable.
What makes The Chelsea stand out from other hotels in the area?
The Chelsea is more intimate than a casino and its design has a lot of character. The fresh yet timeless interior design of the Chelsea combines the look of sophisticated, classic Hollywood glamour with modern opulence. From the relaxed elegance of the front check-in area, complete with welcoming Venetian fireplace, and the lush sexiness of the hotel’s individually-personalized social spots such as the Terrace Lounge, the Bar, the Game Room and the Living Room, to the deluxe yet vintage feel of the guest rooms, the Chelsea’s mid-century-inspired design captures all aspects of this classic era’s chic style.
Are you dealing with particularly design-savvy customers in Atlantic City?
We have families, couples, singles and groups of singles who come down for great shows, enjoy spas and dine at great restaurants including those at the Chelsea called Chelsea Prime and Teplitzky’s, both Stephen Starr restaurants.
The interiors boast an eclectic mix of styles. Is that in keeping with the character of Atlantic City?
Yes! The Chelsea also wanted to provide a great luxury resort vibe that would make people want to return to both Atlantic City and the Chelsea itself again and again.
The hotel is billed as an ultra-glamorous destination. What are the most glamorous and luxurious aspects of the interior scheme?
Outstanding, ultra-glamorous nightlife, dining and relaxation are endless on the 5th Floor – the social destination of the Chelsea which houses the hotel’s prime hotspots. The 5th Floor includes the Chelsea’s signature steakhouse Chelsea Prime, a Stephen Starr restaurant and cocktail lounge that is infused with a Hollywood-style décor reminiscent of Atlantic City nightclubs from the late 1930s and ‘40s and then there is the Terrace, the must-see location for the over-21 crowd on the lookout for a sophisticated and hip experience outside of the casinos, the Game Room, the Living Room and a 15,000-square foot upscale roof-top swimming pool area complete with private cabanas and full-service bar.
How do you maintain a ’boutique’ feel within a large hotel offer?
We achieve this feeling by making the interiors of the Chelsea feel cosy and chic at the same time.
In what ways does your design acknowledge the hotel’s history?
When we combined the two original buildings (60’s Howard Johnsons and an 80’s Holiday Inn) to create the Chelsea, we took original elements from the retro 60’s and referenced them in the new design so that the two buildings would communicate together as one. This was to achieve a glamorous nod back in time without making it feel dated.
What are the stand-out items you specified?
In the bedrooms the chairs in the Ocelot Fabric (cosy) and the parrot lamps (fun). In the spa the enormous fantastic hot tub/whirlpool really stands out, albeit not a piece of furniture.
What was the most enjoyable aspect of the project?
Watching two tired buildings come back to life as one swingin’ beauty!
This piece was first published in Issue 5 of X2 Global Hotel Design
