You're standing on 8th Avenue. It’s loud. The air smells like a mix of roasted nuts and bus exhaust. To your left, a sea of tourists is shuffling toward the neon glow of 42nd Street. To your right, the Port Authority Bus Terminal looms. In the middle of this beautiful, chaotic mess sits the Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square. Honestly, if you’ve ever looked at a map of Midtown Manhattan, you know this specific location is basically the "Ground Zero" of convenience. But here is the thing: most people book it thinking it's just another cookie-cutter hotel. They’re wrong.
It’s actually a survival strategy.
New York is expensive. Like, "why-is-this-bagel-twelve-dollars" expensive. When you’re looking at hotels in the 10018 zip code, you’re usually choosing between a tiny boutique room that costs a month's rent or a sketchy hostel. This Holiday Inn occupies a weird, necessary middle ground. It’s a 35-story tower that manages to be surprisingly quiet once you get past the lobby, which is no small feat when you consider there’s a literal Broadway theater district two blocks away.
The Reality of the Room Size (No, It’s Not a Closet)
People love to complain that NYC hotel rooms are small. Well, yeah. It’s Manhattan. If you wanted a sprawling suite for $200, you should’ve gone to Dallas. At the Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square, the rooms are compact, but they’re efficient. You’ve got a desk. You’ve got a bed that actually feels like a bed and not a gym mat. Most importantly, you have a coffee maker.
Standard rooms here usually hover around 200 to 250 square feet. Is that palatial? No. Is it enough to sleep, shower, and charge your phone before heading back out to see Hamilton? Absolutely. One thing that actually surprises people is the view. Because the building is tall and relatively slim, if you get a room on the higher floors—say, 20 and up—you get these incredible slices of the skyline. You might see the top of the Empire State Building or the glow of the New York Times building. It feels like you’re in the movie version of the city, even if you’re just staying at an IHG property.
The bathrooms are surprisingly modern, too. Usually, these mid-range hotels have those old-school tub-shower combos with the plastic curtains that stick to your leg. A lot of the renovated rooms here have walk-in showers with decent water pressure. That matters. When you’ve walked 20,000 steps on concrete, a good shower is basically a religious experience.
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Location vs. Sanity: Navigating the 8th Avenue Vibe
Let’s be real for a second. The area around 39th Street and 8th Avenue is gritty. It’s not the polished, Disney-fied version of Times Square you see in brochures. You’re near the Port Authority. There are commuters everywhere. There’s noise. There are delivery bikes weaving through traffic like they have a death wish.
But here’s the upside.
You are minutes away from every major subway line. The A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, and 7 trains are all within walking distance. You can get to the High Line in ten minutes. You can be at Bryant Park in five. If you stay in the "fancy" parts of the Upper East Side, you’re isolated. Here, you’re in the veins of the city.
The hotel is located at 585 8th Avenue. If you walk south, you hit the Fashion District. Walk north, and you’re in Hell’s Kitchen, which has some of the best food in the city. Forget the tourist traps on 42nd Street. Go to 9th Avenue. Find a Thai spot or a tiny Italian place. That’s the real benefit of this hotel’s location—it’s the gateway to actual New York, not just the postcard version.
What Nobody Tells You About the "Times Square" Branding
The name is a bit of a marketing trick. It’s "Times Square" in the sense that you can see the glow of the billboards, but you aren't actually in the middle of the crowd. This is a good thing. Staying directly on 42nd Street is a nightmare. It’s impossible to get a taxi, and the noise never stops.
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At the Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square, you get a buffer. You’re close enough to walk to the TKTS booth for half-price tickets, but far enough away that you don't feel like you're trapped in a human pinball machine.
One thing to watch out for is the elevator situation. In a 35-story building with hundreds of rooms, those elevators get a workout. During peak checkout times—usually around 11:00 AM—it can be a bit of a wait. Pro tip? Give yourself an extra fifteen minutes if you have a train to catch at Penn Station. Speaking of Penn Station, it’s only about seven blocks away. You can literally walk there with your luggage if it’s a nice day, saving you a $20 Uber ride that would take longer anyway because of the crosstown traffic.
The Logistics: Food, Fees, and WiFi
Let's talk money because that’s why people book Holiday Inns.
- Breakfast: It’s not usually free unless you have specific IHG status or a certain package. There’s a restaurant on-site, but honestly? Go outside. There’s a deli on almost every corner where you can get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll for a fraction of the price.
- WiFi: It’s generally reliable. If you’re a business traveler trying to run a Zoom call, it holds up.
- Gym: It’s small. It’s basically a room with some treadmills and a few weights. If you’re a fitness fanatic, you might be disappointed. If you just want to burn off that cheesecake from Junior’s, it’ll do.
- The "Destination Fee": This is the bane of the modern traveler's existence. Most NYC hotels now charge a daily "resort" or "facility" fee. Check your booking details carefully. It often covers things like a food credit or premium internet, but it’s an extra cost you need to budget for.
Why Business Travelers Actually Like This Spot
You’d think business people would want the fancy leather chairs of a boutique hotel. Some do. But many prefer the Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square because it’s predictable. When you’re traveling for work, you don't want "whimsical" or "unique." You want a bed you know is clean and a desk that works.
The proximity to the Javits Center is a huge plus. If you’re in town for a convention, you can hop on the 7 train or even walk down to 34th Street. It’s much cheaper than the hotels right next to the convention center, which jack up their prices the second a trade show is announced.
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Hidden Gems Nearby
If you stay here, don't just stay in the hotel.
- Culture Espresso: Just a few blocks away on 38th and 6th. They have arguably the best chocolate chip cookies in the entire city. No joke.
- The West Side Promenade: Walk toward the Hudson River. You can run or walk along the water all the way down to World Trade Center. It’s the best way to clear your head after a day in the Midtown madness.
- Kinokuniya Bookstore: Overlooking Bryant Park. It’s a massive Japanese bookstore with an incredible cafe on the top floor.
Is It Right For You?
If you are looking for a romantic, candle-lit honeymoon vibe, this isn't it. This is a functional, clean, well-located hub. It’s for the family that wants to see three Broadway shows in a weekend. It’s for the solo traveler who wants the safety of a major brand name. It’s for the person who wants to spend their money on $200 steak dinners at Keens Steakhouse rather than on a room they’re only going to sleep in for six hours.
The staff here are "New York friendly." That means they are efficient, fast, and don't have time for fluff, but they’ll get you what you need. If you need an extra towel, they’ll get it. If you need a late checkout, they’ll try. Just don't expect them to spend twenty minutes chatting about the weather.
Practical Next Steps for Your Stay
Don't just wing it. If you're planning to stay at the Holiday Inn New York City - Times Square, do these three things to make the experience better:
- Request a High Floor: When you book, or at check-in, specifically ask for a room above the 20th floor facing away from 8th Avenue. It’s significantly quieter and the views are worth the ask.
- Join IHG One Rewards: Even if you aren't a frequent traveler, join the loyalty program before you arrive. It often guarantees you the best WiFi speed and sometimes gets you a slightly better room assignment.
- Map Your Subway Routes: Download an app like Citymapper. The 42nd St - Port Authority station is a labyrinth. Knowing exactly which entrance to use (there’s one on 40th and 8th) will save you from wandering aimlessly underground.
Staying in the heart of Manhattan doesn't have to be a stressful exercise in overspending. By choosing a reliable spot like this, you’re basically buying yourself more time and money to actually enjoy the city. Just remember to pack earplugs if you’re a light sleeper—this is the city that never sleeps, and 8th Avenue is its main artery.