Stepping into the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City is a bit like stepping into the set of Mad Men. The developers and architects did a tremendous job reaching back into the resort town's past to connect it with what they hope is the future. So while the hallways have brown patterned wall paper and striped carpets, the rooms display a simplistic elegance with some design flourishes accentuating the hotel's throwback theme with modern touches that today's traveler demands. What does that all mean? Well, the plush king size bed sits beneath a black, Formica-esque headboard and there is a leopard print chair and ottoman in the corner, all facing a 37" LCD. The lamps, dressers and curtains all contribute to the motif, bringing guests back to the classic hotel days of yesteryear.

The topper is the mini-bar, complete with an assortment of Atlantic City goodies and retro candy that make sure you know that "old is new". The prices were reasonable, but we weren't in the Blackjack gum mood. Maybe next time. Each room also comes equipped with a Kiki de Monterparnasse Travel Intimacy Kit, just in case things on the 5th Floor get a little too wild.

While the room was very nice, there were still a few kinks to work out. The elevator service was spotty, the shower lacked a soap dish, and the air conditioner was rather noisy, the last two a throwback to the hotel's most recent turn as a Howard Johnson. Management assured us that improvements to the elevator system and HVAC are in the works, so we give them a pass.

Overall, you have to hand it to the entire Chelsea design team. While the Borgata wanted to bring modern Vegas to the East Coast, the Chelsea is trying to establish an Atlantic City identity born out of its historic hey day. In terms of design, they pulled it off.