The best New York hotels near Times Square
An insider's guide to New York's top Times Square hotels, including the best for Empire State Building views, rooftop terraces, jazz bars and proximity to Broadway, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and MoMA.
Much of the charm of this original Gothic skyscraper close to Times Square has been preserved, from the high ceilings to the wood-floor rooms, although the décor is never overdone. And while hipster touches abound (the staff sport suspenders and denim uniforms and, a few, waxed facial hair) there’s nothing over the top. Some rooms have views of the Empire State Building. The hotel restaurant, Parker Quinn, has all the qualities of your favourite neighborhood bistro, serving simple well-made American favourites and perfect cocktails. The live music at Winnie’s Jazz Bar in the lobby greets guests most nights, though you may need to raise your voice to be heard above the sax.
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One wouldn’t imagine that any street within an earshot of Times Square could be as quiet as this one, but this block of West 44th Street remains something of an oasis. Broadway theatres and top-notch restaurants and bars are a quick jaunt from the hotel. Old New York seeps from every pore of the early 20th-century building, and that’s apparent from the moment you grace the grand entrance and its gilded canopy. The intimate lobby boasts a dark, masculine feel with a medley of stones and warm wood, flocked wall covering and a comfy seating nook. Pass through the lobby and enter a tiny cocktail bar that has a trendier vibe than the hotel itself.
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This brick, steel, and glass 22-storey boutique hotel in the Garment District, a stone's throw from Times Square, features both a restaurant and rooftop bar. With exposed brick and butcher-block flooring, the property is evocative of the industrial past of the neighbourhood. Furniture was custom-designed and the art hand-picked. All rooms include dual-function furniture such as platform beds with drawers beneath, and sconces that double as reading lights, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The 'New American' hotel restaurant features an open kitchen. After you eat, visit Spyglass bar on the rooftop for a panoramic view of the city and a not-to-be-missed close up of the Empire State Building.
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This Beaux-Arts landmark built in 1906 by John Jacob Astor and, until its closure in 1921, one of the swankiest hotels in New York, has been reborn. Bellhops in baggy knickerbockers and chunky Doc Martens set the tone: there’s an authenticity and attention to detail here that’s rare for Times Square. The thing that is striking about the rooms is the soundlessness: you can see the frenzy of light and traffic on Times Square below but you don’t hear a thing. You could hardly be more central, steps from the great theatres of Broadway, the green-space of Bryant Park and the cultural splendor of the Metropolitan Opera and MoMA. Diagonally opposite is the building from which the Crystal Ball is famously dropped each New Year’s Eve.
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Sandwiched between Times Square and Grand Central Station, the hotel sits in a superb location off Fifth Avenue, on a calm block surrounded by upscale hotels and private clubs. The property pays tribute to both New York and Paris by exemplifying the essence of elegance and sophistication. The sleek 30-storey limestone and glass building is a standout in the neighbourhood. From the moment you enter, bounce back to the Art Deco period. Lofty tray ceilings, wainscoting, marble, and brass accents set the stage for leather club chairs, plush carpeting, grand torchieres, and modern art in the lobby.
Slipped between two pre-war buildings and within earshot of Times Square and Bryant Park, this hotel has the best of both worlds when it comes to location. Not only is it removed from the rowdiness and crowds of the busiest part of the Theatre District, but it’s a quick walk to beautiful Bryant Park. Tons of shops, bars, and eateries are nearby as well as a Whole Foods, and Grace Plaza – an oasis with a bevy of spots to sit, read, and socialise – is just across the street. The drama begins outside with an all-glass curtain wall façade. Step inside to a clean, modern aesthetic characterised by an illuminated lobby complete with colour-changing LED lighting.
