The Chelsea Hotel

The Chelsea Hotel is Hans' home for much of the novel, after he moves out of his downtown Manhattan apartment following the 9/11 terror attacks. It is the site of several important scenes in the novel, including: Rachel's decision to take Jake and to leave Hans in New York; Hans' night of passion with Danielle, the Englishwoman; Hans' meetings with Mehmet Taspinar, the angel; and the blackout in New York City. Mehmet also falls or jumps from the roof of the hotel, but is saved by the roof of a neighboring synagogue.

The hotel is largely populated migrants to New York, which is partly why Hans feels so at home there. He describes it as having a shabby-chic interior, with "the vaguely alarming artwork of tenants past" hanging on the walls (30). His apartment is on the ninth floor, and features "two bedrooms, kitchenette, and a view of...