You’re scrolling through travel sites, looking for that perfect spot in the middle of the chaos, and you see it. Or maybe you remember it. The Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square. It sounds classic. It sounds like exactly the kind of place where you’d find a velvet curtain and a slightly cranky, gold-buttoned elevator operator. But here’s the thing about New York City real estate: it moves fast. If you go looking for the "Mayfair Hotel" at 242 West 49th Street today, you’re going to be a bit confused.
The building is there. The history is definitely there. But the name? That’s where things get tricky.
New York is a city of ghosts, especially when it comes to hotels. Properties change hands like trading cards. One year it’s a boutique gem, the next it’s a corporate chain, and three years later it’s being converted into luxury "micro-apartments" for people who have more money than sense. The Mayfair has lived through these identities. It’s located in that sweet spot—or sour spot, depending on your tolerance for crowds—right off 8th Avenue, tucked into the Theater District. It’s literally steps from the bright lights, but it’s always had a bit of a "hidden in plain sight" vibe.
The Identity Crisis of 242 West 49th Street
Let’s get the facts straight right away. If you are looking for the Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square to book a room for next weekend, you’re actually looking for the Civilian Hotel. Or perhaps you remember it when it was the Mayfair New York.
The property underwent a massive transformation. We aren't talking about a fresh coat of paint and some new throw pillows. We’re talking about a total architectural reimagining. The old Mayfair was known for being, well, affordable. It was a bit dated. It had that specific New York smell—a mix of old steam pipes and history. It was a place for actors on a budget and tourists who spent all their time at Broadway shows and only needed a place to crash.
Then came the pivot.
The site was reimagined by David Rockwell. If you follow design or theater, you know that name. He’s the guy behind some of the most stunning sets on Broadway and high-end restaurants globally. He turned the bones of the old Mayfair area into the Civilian, which opened its doors relatively recently. It’s a 27-story building now that pays homage to the very thing the Mayfair always stood next to: the theater.
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Why People Still Search for the Mayfair
Why does the name persist? Search engines have long memories. People remember staying there in the 90s or the early 2000s and they want that same experience. They want the convenience.
Honestly, the location is unbeatable.
You’re basically living on the doorstep of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. You can hear the intermission crowds from the sidewalk. For decades, the Mayfair served as a gateway for people who didn't want to pay the $600-a-night prices at the Marriott Marquis but wanted to be able to walk to Chicago or The Book of Mormon in three minutes flat. It represented an accessible version of the New York dream.
But the "Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square" as a budget-friendly, slightly worn-down haunt is gone. In its place is something much more polished. The new iteration is sleek. It’s got a rooftop bar called Starchild that has a retractable roof. It’s very "New York 2026," if you know what I mean.
What the Mayfair Used to Be (And Why It Matters)
Back in the day, the Mayfair was part of a cluster of hotels that defined the mid-century grit of the Theater District. It wasn't trying to be the Ritz. It was a functional piece of the city's infrastructure.
- Room Size: Tiny. Even by NYC standards, the rooms were "cozy."
- The Vibe: No-frills. You got a bed, a TV that might have had three working channels, and a bathroom where you could brush your teeth and shower at the same time.
- The Clientele: Professional theater geeks.
I remember talking to a stagehand who used to swear by the area because of the proximity to Joe Allen and the other "industry" spots on Restaurant Row. The Mayfair was a landmark for those people. When a hotel like that disappears or transforms, the neighborhood loses a bit of its accessibility. Everything becomes "curated."
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The Rockwell Transformation
When the transition happened, it wasn't just a name change. They gutted the spirit of the old budget hotel and replaced it with a "shrine to Broadway."
The Civilian (the current soul of the Mayfair site) holds over 350 pieces of art. We’re talking sketches, set models, and photos from actual Broadway productions. It’s cool, sure. But it’s a different world. If you’re looking for the Mayfair because you want a $120 room in Times Square, you’re out of luck. Those days are buried under layers of high-end finishes and artisanal cocktails.
It’s interesting how we cling to these old names. "Mayfair" sounds regal. It sounds like London. It sounds like a place where you’d wear a suit. In reality, the Mayfair New York was a place where you wore comfortable walking shoes and hoped the radiator didn't hiss too loudly at 3:00 AM.
Navigating the Area Today
If you’re heading to the location of the old Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square, you need to be prepared for the 49th Street ecosystem. It’s intense.
Right next door is the chocolate heaven of Hershey’s Chocolate World. Across the street is the Crowne Plaza. You are in the belly of the beast. If you stay in this specific block, you aren't getting a "local" experience. You are getting the distilled, neon-soaked essence of Manhattan.
There are some myths to debunk about staying here, though. People think it’s too loud to sleep. Usually, the higher floors in these modern builds are surprisingly quiet. The old Mayfair? Not so much. Those windows were thin. You could hear a taxi driver’s political opinions from the 8th floor. The new construction at the site has mostly fixed that with high-grade acoustic glass.
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Is it worth staying at the "New" Mayfair?
Look, if you’re a fan of the arts, the current version of the property is a dream. They have a "Blue Room" which is basically a private lounge filled with theater memorabilia. It feels like a club for people who know the lyrics to every Sondheim show.
But if you’re a nostalgic traveler looking for the old-school Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square—the one with the faded carpets and the bargain rates—you might feel a bit of sticker shock. The neighborhood has moved upmarket.
Practical Advice for Travelers
If you are dead set on this specific location, here is how you handle it:
- Don't search for "Mayfair" on booking sites. You’ll likely get redirected to the Mayfair Hotel in London or some random property in Brooklyn. Search for "Civilian Hotel" or "Hotels on West 49th Street."
- Check the Broadway schedule. If you’re staying at 242 West 49th, you are in the thick of it. Getting a Lyft or Uber to the door at 7:45 PM is a suicide mission. Walk from the subway at 50th Street or 49th Street. It’s faster.
- Manage your space expectations. Even with the fancy redesign, the footprint of the building hasn't changed. The rooms are designed with "clever storage," which is code for "it’s small."
- Food is a trap. Avoid the immediate 100-foot radius for food unless you want to pay $25 for a mediocre burger. Walk three blocks west to 9th Avenue. That’s where the actual New Yorkers eat.
The Legacy of the Site
The Mayfair Hotel New York Times Square represents a transition in NYC history. It was part of that era when Times Square was transitioning from "dangerous" to "Disney." It sat through the cleanup of the 90s and the explosion of tourism in the 2000s.
It’s a bit sad to see the old names go. There’s something charming about a hotel named after a posh London district sitting right next to a place selling giant foam fingers and overpriced hot dogs. But that’s the city. It’s a shark. It has to keep moving or it dies.
The building at 242 West 49th Street is better now by almost every objective standard. It’s safer, cleaner, and much more beautiful. But for those who remember the Mayfair, it will always be that quirky, affordable anchor in a sea of neon.
If you're planning a trip, don't just look at the photos. Understand the geography. You're staying in the heart of the world's most famous theater district. Whether it's called the Mayfair or the Civilian, the magic of the location remains the same. You walk out the front door, turn left, and you're in the middle of a movie set.
Final Actionable Steps for Your NYC Trip
To make the most of a stay in the old Mayfair’s neighborhood, do these three things:
- Book the "Industry" Rate: Many hotels in this specific block offer discounts if you can prove you work in the arts or if you’re seeing a specific show. It never hurts to ask the concierge.
- Visit the Rooftop: Regardless of where you stay, the rooftop at 242 West 49th is one of the best views of the Midtown skyline. It’s worth the price of one overpriced cocktail just to see the lights.
- Use the 50th St Subway: Avoid the Times Square-42nd St station if you have luggage. It’s a labyrinth. The 50th St station (C, E trains) is much more manageable and puts you right near the hotel entrance.