New York is loud. It’s chaotic, expensive, and honestly, a little overwhelming if you don't have a solid home base. Most people looking for a place to crash near 47th Street end up staring at the same three or four glossy photos of the Hotel Edison Times Square New York, wondering if it’s actually any good or just another tourist trap with a fancy Art Deco lobby.
It's complicated.
Staying here isn't like staying at a sterile Marriott in the suburbs. It's a massive, 800-plus room beast that has been sitting in the heart of the Theater District since 1931. Thomas Edison himself turned on the lights when it opened. That's a cool bit of trivia, sure, but it doesn't tell you if the elevators are slow or if the water pressure in the shower is going to be a pathetic drizzle. If you’re planning a trip, you need to know the difference between the "Classic" rooms and the "Signature" suites, because they feel like they belong in two different decades.
The Art Deco Vibe vs. The Reality of Modern Travel
When you walk into the lobby, it hits you. The murals. The gold leaf. The high ceilings. It’s pure 1930s glamour. You half expect to see a broadway star from the Golden Age leaning against the check-in desk with a cigarette holder. This is the Hotel Edison Times Square New York at its best. It’s got history that you can actually feel, which is a rare thing in a neighborhood that's increasingly dominated by glass towers and digital billboards.
But here’s the thing.
The hotel is split. You’ve got the Classic rooms, which are basically for the budget-conscious traveler who just wants to be steps away from the Lion King. They’re fine. They’re clean. But they’re small. New York small. We’re talking "I have to step over my suitcase to get to the bathroom" small. If you go into it expecting a sprawling suite for a bargain price, you’re going to be disappointed.
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Then you have the Signature Collection. These were renovated a few years back and they are a completely different animal. Think sleek lines, better linens, and bathrooms that don’t look like they were designed during the Truman administration. If you can swing the extra fifty or sixty bucks a night, do it. Your back will thank you.
Why the Location is a Double-Edged Sword
You are at 228 West 47th Street.
That means you are literally around the corner from the red stairs. You can walk to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in about ninety seconds. For a theater geek, this is hallowed ground. You’re in the middle of everything. But "everything" also includes the guy dressed as a bootleg Mickey Mouse trying to charge you twenty dollars for a selfie and the constant, rhythmic honking of yellow cabs that seems to peak right around 11:30 PM when the shows let out.
People complain about the noise. Look, it’s Times Square. If you wanted silence, you should have booked a cabin in the Catskills. The Hotel Edison Times Square New York does a decent job with double-paned windows, especially in the renovated rooms, but the city still finds a way in. It’s part of the tax you pay for being able to roll out of bed and be at the TKTS booth in five minutes.
The Famous Rum House
Honestly, even if you don't stay at the hotel, you should go to The Rum House. It’s the hotel bar, but it doesn’t feel like a "hotel bar." It feels like a wood-paneled escape from the neon madness outside. It’s dark. It’s moody. They have live jazz piano most nights.
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It’s one of the few places left in Midtown that feels authentic. You’ll see locals there—mostly actors grabbing a drink after their curtain call—mixed in with tourists who happened to stumble in. The cocktails are pricey, but they’re stiff. In a neighborhood full of overpriced chain restaurants, The Rum House is a legitimate gem.
The Breakfast Situation and Bond 45
Most people assume hotel food is a rip-off. Usually, they're right. But the Edison is attached to Bond 45, which is a massive Italian spot. It’s loud and bustling, but the breakfast there is actually solid.
There's also Friedman’s. If you’re gluten-free or just want something that feels a bit more "New York brunch" and a bit less "continental breakfast buffet," it’s right there in the building. It’s convenient. Sometimes, when it’s raining and the wind is whipping through the canyons of Manhattan, convenience is worth more than a five-star rating.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Service
Is the service at the Hotel Edison Times Square New York world-class? No.
It’s efficient. This is a high-volume hotel. They handle thousands of people a day. The staff isn't going to sit down and chat with you about your day. They’re going to get you your key, tell you where the elevators are, and move on to the next person in line. Some people find this rude. I call it being a New Yorker.
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If you go in expecting the personalized touch of a boutique hotel in Chelsea, you’re going to feel like a number. But if you realize that this place is a well-oiled machine designed to process a small city's worth of tourists every week, you’ll appreciate the speed.
Practical Logistics You’ll Actually Care About
- Elevators: They can be a nightmare during peak check-out times (around 11:00 AM). Give yourself an extra fifteen minutes if you have a flight to catch.
- Gym: It exists. It’s in the basement. It’s fine for a quick treadmill run, but don't expect a luxury fitness club.
- The "Hidden" Entrance: There’s an entrance on 46th Street that is sometimes less crowded than the main 47th Street doors. Use it.
- Security: They are pretty strict about checking room keys at the elevator bank after dark. It’s annoying, but it keeps the Times Square chaos out of the hallways.
Is It Worth It?
This depends entirely on who you are.
If you are a first-time visitor to NYC and you want to be in the "center of the world," then yes. If you are here for a Broadway marathon and want to be able to run back to your room between a matinee and an evening show, absolutely. The Hotel Edison Times Square New York offers a specific kind of value that the ultra-modern hotels nearby can't match: character.
It’s not perfect. The carpets in the hallways might be a little frayed at the edges. The Wi-Fi can be spotty if you’re on a high floor. But it’s real. It’s a piece of the city’s history that hasn’t been completely sanitized yet.
How to Book It Right
Don't just click the first link on a travel aggregator. Check the hotel's direct site for "Signature" room deals. Often, they bundle in breakfast or a credit for the bar. Also, ask for a room away from the elevators. Because the building is old, the walls near the lift banks can be thin, and you’ll hear every "ding" and every group of teenagers laughing their way back to their room at 2:00 AM.
If you’re looking for a quiet, zen-like retreat, stay in the Upper West Side. If you want to feel the pulse of Manhattan—vibrations, noise, history, and all—this is your spot.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Verify your room type: Double-check your confirmation. If it says "Classic," expect a smaller, older room. If you want the modern experience, ensure it says "Signature Collection."
- Download the subway map: The 49th St Station (N, R, W trains) and the 50th St Station (1, 2 trains) are right there. Don't take Ubers in Times Square; you will literally sit in traffic for twenty minutes just to go three blocks.
- Skip the hotel coffee: There are dozens of small coffee shops within a two-block radius that are better and cheaper than what’s in the lobby.
- The "Quiet" Request: When you check in, ask if there are any rooms available on a higher floor facing away from 47th Street. It won't be silent, but it'll be significantly quieter.
- Check the Broadway Schedule: If there’s a major show opening or a "Talkback" night at a nearby theater, the sidewalk in front of the hotel will be packed. Plan your arrival/departure times around the 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM windows to avoid the worst of the crowds.
The Hotel Edison Times Square New York is an experience. It’s a bit rough around the edges, a bit loud, and deeply, unapologetically New York. Embrace the chaos and you’ll have a great time. Try to fight it, and the city will win every time.