You’re standing on 7th Avenue, crane-necking at the neon, and you see it. The sign for the Moxy Times Square. If you’ve spent any time on travel TikTok or scrolling Marriott’s "lifestyle" portfolio, you probably think you know the vibe. Pink neon, cocktails in pouches, and rooms so small you have to step into the hallway to change your mind.
But honestly? Most of the online chatter misses the point of this place.
It isn't just a hotel for "the kids" or a glorified hostel for people who like expensive gin. It’s a very specific, very intentional machine designed for a certain type of New York trip. If you come here expecting a traditional Midtown Hilton experience with a marble lobby and a quiet desk to write your memoirs, you’re going to be miserable.
Let's talk about what actually happens when you check in at 485 7th Avenue.
The Reality of the Micro-Room Concept
Let’s get the elephant out of the room. Or rather, the elephant that wouldn’t fit in the room. The bedrooms at Moxy Times Square are tiny. We’re talking 150 to 200 square feet for the standard setups.
Yabu Pushelberg, the design firm behind the interiors, basically treated these rooms like a puzzle. You won’t find a bulky dresser or a traditional closet. Instead, there's a pegboard wall with folding furniture hanging on it. Need a chair? Unhook it. Need a desk? Pull it down. It’s clever, sure, but it means you’ve gotta be organized. If you’re the type of traveler who "explosively unpacks" the second you walk through the door, this room will feel like a claustrophobic nightmare within twenty minutes.
Specifics matter here:
- The Quad Bunk Rooms: These are surprisingly popular for bachelor parties or groups of friends. It's four twin bunks in a space that feels like a very chic submarine.
- The Glass Bathrooms: Here is what people actually get wrong—or at least, what they aren't prepared for. The bathrooms often feature frosted glass. It’s stylish, but if you’re staying with a platonic friend you aren't that close with, be prepared for some awkward silhouettes and very little acoustic privacy.
- The "Stowaway" Vibe: There are no coffee makers in the rooms. No mini-fridges. The hotel wants you out of the room and in the social spaces.
Magic Hour: More Than Just a Pretty View
You can't talk about the Moxy Times Square without mentioning Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge. It is, by all accounts, the largest all-season hotel rooftop in the city.
Most people see the "urban amusement park" theme—the rotating antique carousel seating, the oversized topiary animals, the "Foreplay" miniature putt-putt course—and assume it’s just for the 'gram. And yeah, it’s an influencer's fever dream. But the logistics of this place are actually impressive. It’s 10,000 square feet of multi-purpose space with a retractable roof, meaning you can look at the Empire State Building while it’s pouring rain outside without getting a drop on your $20 cocktail.
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Pro tip: if you’re a guest, use the "fast track" entry. The line for the public on a Friday night can stretch down 36th Street, and it moves at the speed of a tectonic plate.
Where the Value Actually Hides
New York is expensive. Painfully expensive. The Moxy Times Square tries to bridge the gap between "sketchy budget motel" and "four-star price gouging."
One thing people overlook is the $20-30 daily destination fee (it fluctuates, check your booking). Usually, these fees are a total scam. Here, they actually give you a $20 daily food and beverage credit. You can use it at Bar Moxy or the Café d’Avignon pop-up. If you’re grabbing a bagel and a coffee in the morning anyway, the fee basically pays for itself.
They also throw in perks like:
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- Two tickets to the Museum of the City of New York or a New York Freedom Liberty Cruise.
- "Furiously fast" Wi-Fi (it actually is quite good, which is rare for Midtown).
- Access to the fitness center, which is located on the C level. It’s surprisingly well-equipped with Peloton bikes and heavy bags, unlike the sad "treadmill in a closet" setup at most city hotels.
The Noise Factor: A Fair Warning
If you are a light sleeper, listen closely.
This hotel is at the corner of 7th Ave and 36th St. That is the heart of the Garment District, a block from Penn Station, and a stone's throw from Times Square. It is loud. The windows are double-paned, but New York sirens are louder. Furthermore, the onsite nightlife means you might hear the thump of bass from the rooftop or the lobby bar well into the early hours.
Ask for a room on a higher floor away from the elevators. The elevators here "ding" with a frequency that can be maddening if your bed is right against the hallway wall.
Eating at Legasea and Beyond
For a "lifestyle" hotel, the food is actually legitimate. Legasea Bar & Grill on the second floor is run by the Tao Group. It’s a seafood-forward brasserie that feels much more expensive than it is.
If you’re there on a Sunday or Monday, they often run an "Unlimited Ribeye and Fries" deal for about $55. In Midtown Manhattan, that is practically a miracle. The atmosphere is loud and "vivacious" (hotel speak for: you’ll be shouting over your calamari), but the quality of the food holds up.
For something faster, Egghead on the ground floor does breakfast sandwiches that hit the spot when you're hungover and need to get to a 10:00 AM Broadway matinee.
Is It Actually Worth It?
The Moxy Times Square is for the traveler who views a hotel room as a locker with a high-thread-count bed.
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If you’re planning to spend 14 hours a day exploring Chelsea, the High Line, and the Theater District, and you want to come back to a place that feels "cool" rather than "corporate," then yes. It’s worth every penny. If you need a bathtub, a place to spread out three suitcases, or a quiet environment for a Zoom marathon, go literally anywhere else.
Actionable Insights for Your Stay
- Check-In via App: Use the Marriott Bonvoy app. The lobby "check-in" desk is often busy, and the digital key lets you bypass the chaos.
- The Morning Drip: Guest receive complimentary drip coffee from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Don't pay $7 for it at the cafe if you just need a caffeine fix.
- Storage Hacks: Use the under-bed storage for your luggage immediately. The rooms are designed so the suitcases slide under the bed frame, which triples your walkable floor space.
- The "Secret" Working Space: Bar Moxy during the day (before 4:00 PM) is actually a great co-working spot. It’s got plenty of outlets and the vibe is much chiller than a Starbucks.
If you’re ready to embrace the "micro-life," the Moxy is a masterclass in New York efficiency. Just don't forget your earplugs.