You’re standing in the middle of Times Square, and it’s loud. Not just "big city" loud, but that specific, frantic New York hum that vibrates in your teeth. You want a bed, but you don’t want to pay $600 for a dusty room with floral curtains and a "historic" elevator that shakes.
This is where the citizenM hotel NYC usually enters the conversation.
Honestly, people have some pretty strong opinions about this place. Some travelers swear it’s the future of hospitality. Others walk into the room, see the bed touching three out of four walls, and immediately feel like they're trapped in a very expensive Tetris game.
But here’s the thing: if you go in expecting a traditional Hilton or a Marriott, you’re going to hate it. If you go in understanding that you’re basically paying for a high-tech "sleeping pod" attached to a world-class living room and a rooftop bar, it might be the best stay you’ve ever had in Manhattan.
The Two Faces of citizenM in New York
You actually have two distinct choices when booking. There is the citizenM New York Times Square on 50th Street and the citizenM New York Bowery. They look identical on the inside—the same red-and-white color palette, the same "MoodPad" tablets, the same XL king beds—but the vibes? Totally different.
The Times Square location is your classic "center of the universe" spot. You’re steps from the Gershwin Theatre and the subway. It's efficient. It’s for the person who has a 9:00 AM meeting at Rockefeller Center or wants to see Wicked without a 40-minute commute.
The Bowery location is the "cool younger sibling." It’s actually the world's tallest modular hotel. It’s tucked into the Lower East Side, surrounded by street art and some of the best ramen shops in the city. It even has its own "Museum of Street Art" (MoSA) inside the stairwell. If you want to feel like a "real" New Yorker (or at least the kind of person who knows where the good speakeasies are), you stay at the Bowery.
That Room: Is It Actually Too Small?
Let’s get real. The rooms are 150 square feet. That’s tiny.
Basically, the bed is the room. It’s an XL king-size bed shoved against a massive wall-to-wall window. There is no "walking around" the bed. You crawl onto it from the foot.
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But wait.
The bed is genuinely one of the most comfortable things you’ll ever sleep on. The linens are high-thread-count Italian cotton. The window has a blackout blind that actually works—something even $1,000-a-night hotels struggle with.
Everything is controlled by the MoodPad. You want the lights to be neon purple? Tap a button. You want the blinds to go up so you can see the skyline while you wake up? Tap a button. You can even change the temperature from your phone via the citizenM app before you even get back to the hotel. It’s the ultimate lazy person’s paradise.
What about the "Space Problem"?
If you’re traveling with three suitcases and a partner you’re currently arguing with, do not stay here. There’s a giant drawer under the bed for your luggage, but space is at a premium. The shower and toilet are in these frosted glass "pods" in the middle of the room. It’s sleek, sure, but if you’re staying with a platonic friend, hope you're really comfortable with them, because privacy is... let's call it "suggestive."
The Secret Sauce: The Living Room
The reason the rooms are small is that citizenM wants you downstairs. They call their lobby the "Living Room," and it’s filled with Vitra furniture, curated art (think Jeff Koons and Julian Opie), and enough coffee table books to fill a library.
It’s a coworking dream.
You’ll see people on MacBooks, groups having meetings, and solo travelers nursing a cocktail. There’s a 24/7 "canteenM" that serves decent food—think focaccia sandwiches, sushi, and a surprisingly good breakfast spread. It’s not a five-star restaurant, but when it’s 2:00 AM and you’ve just come back from a bar, that croissant starts looking like a Michelin-starred meal.
The Rooftop Scene at cloudM
Both NYC locations have a rooftop bar called cloudM.
Honestly? These are some of the most underrated views in the city. At the Times Square location, you’re looking right into the heart of the skyscrapers. At the Bowery, you get a 360-degree view of Lower Manhattan, including the One World Trade Center.
It’s usually way less "sceney" than other NYC rooftop bars. You don’t have to deal with a grumpy bouncer or a $500 bottle service requirement. If you’re a guest, you just go up, grab a drink, and enjoy the fact that you’re 21 stories above the chaos.
Is It Worth the Price in 2026?
With Marriott acquiring the brand recently, things are shifting a bit, but the core "citizenM" DNA remains.
You’re paying for the location and the "frictionless" experience. No check-in desk. You walk up to a kiosk, scan a QR code, and your key (which doubles as a luggage tag) is ready in 60 seconds.
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Who should stay here:
- Solo business travelers: It’s safe, techy, and has great Wi-Fi.
- Couples on a budget: If you want "luxury" vibes without the price tag of The Carlyle.
- Minimalists: If you only use your hotel room to sleep and shower.
Who should skip it:
- Families: There are no "extra" beds. Two people max. Period.
- Clausrophobes: Seriously, the rooms are tight.
- Classic Luxury Lovers: If you want a bellhop to carry your bags and a marble bathroom with a tub, you will be disappointed.
Insider Tips for Your Stay
If you decide to book, there are a few ways to make the experience better.
First, use the app to check in early. You can often pick your own room—choose a high floor for the best views. At the Bowery, a west-facing room on a high floor gives you a killer sunset over the city.
Second, don’t pay for the breakfast on the spot. It’s usually cheaper if you add it when you book your room. Or, better yet, walk two blocks in any direction. In Times Square, go to a local deli; at the Bowery, go to Russ & Daughters for the best bagel and lox of your life.
Lastly, check out the "hidden" perks. Both hotels have a gym—the one at Times Square has incredible views while you're on the treadmill—and the Wi-Fi is some of the fastest you'll find in any hotel chain, mostly because they know their audience is basically glued to their devices.
The Verdict
The citizenM hotel NYC isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a specific product for a specific type of person. It's for the traveler who values a great shower, a perfect bed, and a cool place to work over "space" they aren't going to use anyway.
If you can handle the "cozy" (okay, tiny) rooms, you'll find it's one of the most efficient and stylish ways to stay in New York without blowing your entire budget.
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Ready to book? Start by downloading the citizenM app to compare the "Member" rates—they're almost always 10% cheaper than what you'll find on Expedia or Booking.com. Once you’re there, skip the elevators for at least one flight at the Bowery location to see the street art murals; it’s basically a free gallery tour.