New York City hotels are mostly a scam. You pay $400 for a room that smells like 1994, wait twenty minutes for a surly bellhop to bring up a bag you could’ve carried yourself, and then realize the "high-speed" Wi-Fi is an extra thirty bucks a day. It’s exhausting. But then there’s the citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square. It’s weird. It’s loud. It’s tiny. And honestly, it’s probably exactly what you actually need if you’re coming to Manhattan to actually see Manhattan rather than sit in a gold-leafed armchair.
The whole concept is built on "affordable luxury," which sounds like corporate nonsense. Usually, when a brand says that, they mean they took away the minibar and added a neon sign in the lobby. But citizenM did something different at their 50th Street and Broadway location. They bet on the idea that you don't care about a bathtub or a chocolate on your pillow. They bet that you want a massive bed, a shower that actually has pressure, and a lobby that feels like a cool friend’s living room instead of a funeral home.
The Reality of the "Pod" Room at citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square
Let’s get the elephant out of the room. The rooms are small. If you’re traveling with three suitcases and a trunk, just stop reading and go to the Marriott. At the citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square, every room is exactly the same size. They didn't bother with "Superior" or "Deluxe" tiers because they realized everyone just wants the same stuff anyway.
The bed is huge. It’s an XL King that spans the entire width of the room, tucked right against a wall-to-wall window. You’re basically sleeping on a platform in the sky. If you’re lucky enough to be on a high floor facing West, you get this surreal view of the Midtown chaos while you’re wrapped in high-thread-count linens. It’s a trip.
Controlling Everything From a Tablet
Everything in the room—the lights, the blinds, the temperature, the TV—is controlled by an iPad they call the "MoodPad." Want the room to turn purple? Tap a button. Want the blackout blinds to drop so you can pretend 10:00 AM is midnight? Done. It’s tech-heavy, which some people find annoying, but once you realize you don't have to get out of bed to turn off the bathroom light, you'll get it.
One thing that genuinely surprises people is the shower. Most "boutique" hotels give you those weak, eco-friendly showerheads that feel like someone is lightly sneezing on you. Not here. The rain showers are intense. They also have these custom scents—AM and PM—that actually smell decent. It’s these small, high-quality touches that make up for the fact that you can basically touch both walls at the same time if you stand in the middle of the room.
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Why the Lobby is the Real Secret
Midtown is a nightmare for finding a quiet spot. Every Starbucks is packed, and every bar is screaming with happy hour crowds. The lobby at the citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square is a massive, multi-story "living room" that actually works. It’s filled with Vitra furniture—those expensive Eames chairs and funky sofas—and it’s designed for people to actually hang out in.
You’ll see tech nomads on MacBooks, actors running lines for Broadway auditions, and tourists trying to figure out the subway map. It’s got 24/7 food and drinks at CanteenM. It isn't cheap—nothing in New York is—but the quality is surprisingly high. They don't do traditional "room service" because they want you to come downstairs and be a human being with other human beings.
The Rooftop Bar: cloudM
Most people staying in Times Square end up at some overpriced rooftop bar where they pay $28 for a lukewarm Margarita. The cloudM bar on the 21st floor is different. It’s got an outdoor terrace with some of the best views of the skyline, but it feels more like an exclusive club for guests rather than a tourist trap. Because it's a bit tucked away, it doesn't always get the insane lines you'll find at places like 230 Fifth.
The Location: It’s Not Just for Tourists
"I would never stay in Times Square." I hear this from New Yorkers all the time. And look, I get it. Walking through the Elmos and the guys handing out comedy club fliers is a special kind of hell. But the citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square is technically on 50th Street. It’s just far enough North that you can escape the "Bowtie" of Times Square in about three minutes.
You are steps away from the C, E, 1, N, R, and W trains. You can get to the West Village in ten minutes or the Upper West Side in five. If you’re in town for a show, you’re literally in the heart of the Theater District. You can leave the hotel at 7:52 PM and be in your seat for an 8:00 PM curtain. That’s a luxury that even the fancy hotels on Central Park South can't offer.
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Dealing With the Noise
New York is loud. Times Square is louder. The hotel uses triple-glazing on the windows, which is fairly effective. However, this is Manhattan. You will hear the occasional siren. You will hear the hum of the city. If you need total silence, you should probably move to a farm in Vermont. But for a hotel in the middle of the most chaotic neighborhood on earth, it's remarkably quiet inside.
Is It Actually Worth the Price?
Pricing at the citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square fluctuates wildly based on the season. During a random Tuesday in February, you might snag a room for $200. During New Year's Eve or a peak October week, it could skyrocket to $600.
Is it worth $600? Probably not, but nothing in NYC is worth that much during peak season. The value comes from the lack of "hidden" fees. They don't hit you with a $40 "Destination Fee" or a "Resort Fee" at checkout—a practice that has become a plague in the NYC hotel industry. What you see on the screen is usually what you pay.
The Sustainability Factor
Interestingly, the hotel is one of the more sustainable options in the city. Because the rooms are prefabricated modules (yes, they were basically built in a factory and stacked like Legos), the construction waste was minimal. The smaller room size also means less energy used for heating and cooling. For some, that’s a nice bonus. For others, it’s just a reason to feel better about the fact that there isn't a bathtub.
Common Misconceptions to Ignore
People often think "no bellhops" means "no service." That’s not true. The staff, known as "Ambassadors," are everywhere. They help you check in at the kiosks, they make your coffee, and they can tell you where to get the best late-night pizza that isn't a total rip-off. It’s a flatter hierarchy. It feels less like "servant and master" and more like "host and guest."
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Another myth is that it’s only for young people. While the vibe is definitely "millennial/Gen Z," I’ve seen plenty of older travelers who are tired of the stuffy, overpriced legacy hotels. They like the simplicity. They like that the Wi-Fi works the first time you try to connect.
How to Do citizenM Right
If you’re going to stay here, do yourself a favor and download the app before you arrive. You can check in on the train ride from JFK, pick your room (high floor, please), and use your phone as your room key.
- Avoid the breakfast buffet if you're on a budget. It’s fine, but there are about twenty better diners and bagel shops within a three-block radius. Go to Liberty Bagels on 35th or just grab a coffee and a croissant at a local cart.
- Request a room facing North or West if you want to avoid the direct neon glare of the 49th street side, though some people actually like the "Blade Runner" vibe of the lights.
- Use the gym. It’s on the 20th floor and it has an outdoor yoga deck. Working out while looking at the top of the Hearst Tower is a pretty great way to start a day in the city.
The citizenM Hotel NYC Times Square isn't trying to be the Ritz-Carlton. It isn't trying to be a cozy Bed and Breakfast. It’s a hyper-efficient, stylish, and slightly irreverent machine designed to give you a place to crash and a place to work, right in the middle of the world’s most famous intersection.
Moving Forward With Your NYC Trip
Don't book through a third-party site if you can avoid it. Sign up for their "citizen" membership on their website; it's free and usually knocks about 10% off the price immediately. Once you have your reservation, look at the Broadway schedule for the specific dates—often, the hotel has partnerships or can at least point you toward the TKTS booth nearby for last-minute deals.
Pack light. Seriously. The storage under the bed is clever, but if you bring two massive hardshell suitcases, you’ll be playing Tetris with your luggage for three days. Bring a carry-on, use the high-speed Wi-Fi to plan your route, and spend your time in the city, not the room.