Guests at the Hotel Carter may feel as if they’ve stepped into a time machine to yesteryear—though whether they’ll enjoy the decade they’ve landed in depends on their personal taste and appreciation for the heyday of Times Square seediness. The location is unparalleled—Times Square is literally down the block—and the price is (for Manhattan) competitive, but those who consider a hotel even a smidgen more than a place to lay your head and take a shower, and those who prize cleanliness, will want to move on.
Guests at the Hotel Carter may feel as if they’ve stepped into a time machine to yesteryear—though whether they’ll enjoy the decade they’ve landed in depends on their personal taste and appreciation for the heyday of Times Square seediness. The location is unparalleled—Times Square is literally down the block—and the price is (for Manhattan) competitive, but those who consider a hotel even a smidgen more than a place to lay your head and take a shower, and those who prize cleanliness, will want to move on.
The lower-middle-range Hotel Shocard at Times Square opened in mid-2016, next to the historic Nederlander Theater. The boutique-style property is surrounded by ample dining, shopping, and entertainment such as Broadway theaters, and it’s within walking distance to many attractions and subway lines. There's a popular happy hour next door at Gleason's Tavern, which also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The 47 rooms are clean and modern, with lovely tile bathrooms and rainfall showers. But they’re small and offer precious little storage space. The price is attractive for this tourist-driven location, but travelers could also consider the nearby Hotel St. James, which has lower rates though rooms are not as stylish.
The lower-middle-range Hotel Shocard at Times Square opened in mid-2016, next to the historic Nederlander Theater. The boutique-style property is surrounded by ample dining, shopping, and entertainment such as Broadway theaters, and it’s within walking distance to many attractions and subway lines. There's a popular happy hour next door at Gleason's Tavern, which also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The 47 rooms are clean and modern, with lovely tile bathrooms and rainfall showers. But they’re small and offer precious little storage space. The price is attractive for this tourist-driven location, but travelers could also consider the nearby Hotel St. James, which has lower rates though rooms are not as stylish.
The 208-room Night Hotel Times Square is conveniently located just a half-block from Times Square and stands out for its adventurous design, which include a quirky lobby and a trendy restaurant, bar, and lounge with funky post-modern ski-lodge-inspired decor. Rooms are comparatively characterless, though clean and serviceable, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, Bose radios with iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Entry-level rooms are tiny (even for NYC) and can be dark, plus there's no coffee/tea service or mini-bar and breakfast costs an extra fee. Guests get free access to a nearby Equinox gym and the hotel has a dedicated concierge. By comparison, Dream Midtown, eight blocks north, has equally whimsical decor, but larger, airier rooms.
The 208-room Night Hotel Times Square is conveniently located just a half-block from Times Square and stands out for its adventurous design, which include a quirky lobby and a trendy restaurant, bar, and lounge with funky post-modern ski-lodge-inspired decor. Rooms are comparatively characterless, though clean and serviceable, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, Bose radios with iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Entry-level rooms are tiny (even for NYC) and can be dark, plus there's no coffee/tea service or mini-bar and breakfast costs an extra fee. Guests get free access to a nearby Equinox gym and the hotel has a dedicated concierge. By comparison, Dream Midtown, eight blocks north, has equally whimsical decor, but larger, airier rooms.
This 1,949-room behemoth in the middle of Times Square is filled with conventioneers, tourists, and theatergoers -- the Marquis' buzzing atmosphere nearly matches the chaos of the streets below. Top-notch beds, clean, contemporary rooms, and a large, modern fitness center make this a premier pick for Times Square.
This 1,949-room behemoth in the middle of Times Square is filled with conventioneers, tourists, and theatergoers -- the Marquis' buzzing atmosphere nearly matches the chaos of the streets below. Top-notch beds, clean, contemporary rooms, and a large, modern fitness center make this a premier pick for Times Square.
Guests who've been to a W hotel anywhere in the world know the drill: design-conscious upscale hotel with a lively bar scene, solid in-house gym, friendly and attentive service, comfy beds -- and a fairly high price tag. The only difference here: This 509-room, 43-suite property is in bustling, touristy Times Square. Rooms are stylish and well-sized for an NYC hotel and include modern amenities like 49-inch plasma TVs, minibars, and rainfall showers. In addition to the lobby bar, the hotel has two other stylish restaurants, a trendy seafood restaurant and a casual Mexican joint. Guests main complaints have to do with the price and high extra fees (for breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and more). Another stylish and high-end but cheaper option is the nearby Paramount Hotel, though entry level rooms there are tiny.
Guests who've been to a W hotel anywhere in the world know the drill: design-conscious upscale hotel with a lively bar scene, solid in-house gym, friendly and attentive service, comfy beds -- and a fairly high price tag. The only difference here: This 509-room, 43-suite property is in bustling, touristy Times Square. Rooms are stylish and well-sized for an NYC hotel and include modern amenities like 49-inch plasma TVs, minibars, and rainfall showers. In addition to the lobby bar, the hotel has two other stylish restaurants, a trendy seafood restaurant and a casual Mexican joint. Guests main complaints have to do with the price and high extra fees (for breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and more). Another stylish and high-end but cheaper option is the nearby Paramount Hotel, though entry level rooms there are tiny.
The Sanctuary is a 111-room upscale boutique hotel close to the bustle and lights of Times Square and the Theater District. As its name indicates, the hotel strives to set a soothing vibe, and with low lighting, luxury decor, and a Buddhist theme, it succeeds. While the vibe is calm by day, in the evenings the restaurants and lounges on street level and on the roof cater to a beautiful crowd that likes to socialize and party. Rooms come equipped with cushy robes, spa-like showers, and minibars stocked with late-night snacks and spirits. Just note that some rooms may be noisy at night, some lack natural light, and there's no fitness center on-site (but guests get free day passes to Equinox).
The Sanctuary is a 111-room upscale boutique hotel close to the bustle and lights of Times Square and the Theater District. As its name indicates, the hotel strives to set a soothing vibe, and with low lighting, luxury decor, and a Buddhist theme, it succeeds. While the vibe is calm by day, in the evenings the restaurants and lounges on street level and on the roof cater to a beautiful crowd that likes to socialize and party. Rooms come equipped with cushy robes, spa-like showers, and minibars stocked with late-night snacks and spirits. Just note that some rooms may be noisy at night, some lack natural light, and there's no fitness center on-site (but guests get free day passes to Equinox).
For theater lovers or those seeking a central base, the lower-middle-range Mayfair Hotel is an excellent value for its Midtown location: one block from the subway and a short walk to Times Square, Central Park, and dining. Dressed in dated vintage decor, the Mayfair is past its prime, but some guests find its throwback look charming. Some of its 78 rooms are small, dark, and viewless, but many are peaceful, and higher-category rooms offer updated bathrooms, LCD TVs, desks, and pullout sofas. The Mayfair is low on features (no breakfast, gym, or in-room coffee- and tea-making facilities), but there is an on-site restaurant and bar. As an alternative, the Howard Johnson Manhattan Soho offers more up-to-date contemporary decor and a hip, downtown location for a similar price.
For theater lovers or those seeking a central base, the lower-middle-range Mayfair Hotel is an excellent value for its Midtown location: one block from the subway and a short walk to Times Square, Central Park, and dining. Dressed in dated vintage decor, the Mayfair is past its prime, but some guests find its throwback look charming. Some of its 78 rooms are small, dark, and viewless, but many are peaceful, and higher-category rooms offer updated bathrooms, LCD TVs, desks, and pullout sofas. The Mayfair is low on features (no breakfast, gym, or in-room coffee- and tea-making facilities), but there is an on-site restaurant and bar. As an alternative, the Howard Johnson Manhattan Soho offers more up-to-date contemporary decor and a hip, downtown location for a similar price.