Times Square is loud. It is chaotic, perpetually under construction, and smells faintly of roasted nuts and desperation. Most New Yorkers avoid it like the plague, yet somehow, the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel manages to be the one place where the neon madness actually feels like a luxury rather than a migraine.
You’ve seen the photos. The floor-to-ceiling windows at R Lounge where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve are practically legendary. But honestly, staying here is about more than just a selfie with the Elmos down on 7th Avenue. It’s about that weirdly specific feeling of being "in" the city without being "of" the city. You’re perched right above the 47th Street intersection, watching the yellow cabs crawl like ants while you sip a cocktail in a space that feels like a dark, moody library.
It’s expensive. Let's just get that out of the way. You aren't paying for the square footage of the room—this is Manhattan, after all—you’re paying for the fact that you can walk out the front door and be at the Hamilton stage door in four minutes flat.
The Reality of Room Sizes and Those Famous Windows
People get frustrated with New York hotels because they expect Texas-sized suites. The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel doesn't do that. Most rooms are cozy. Some might even call them tight if you’re traveling with three suitcases and a stroller. But the design is clever. They used a lot of dark woods, blues, and gold accents to make it feel "boutique," even though it’s a Marriott property with over 300 rooms.
If you book a standard room, you might be facing the back of a building. It's quiet, sure, but you didn't come to Times Square for a view of a brick wall. You want the Terrace Room. Or at least a high-floor City View. The Terrace rooms are the real flex here; having a private outdoor balcony overlooking the Duffy Square red steps is a rarity in Midtown. Just be prepared: the wind whistles through those skyscrapers, so your "relaxing" outdoor coffee might feel a bit more like a gale-force event.
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The bathrooms are surprisingly solid. Aveda products are the standard here, and the showers actually have decent water pressure—something many older NYC hotels struggle with. Is it the most cutting-edge tech in the world? No. But it works.
R Lounge: More Than Just a Tourist Trap
Most hotel bars in Midtown are depressing. They’re either empty or filled with businessmen staring at CNN. The R Lounge at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is different because it’s effectively a glass box suspended over the center of the universe.
It’s one of the few places where the $22 cocktail feels justified by the "rent" you’re paying for the seat. If you go on a Tuesday night, it's actually pretty chill. Friday? Forget it. You'll be elbow-to-elbow with people trying to get that perfect shot of the Coca-Cola sign.
- Pro tip: They have a solid breakfast spread, but you’re better off walking two blocks to a local bagel spot if you want the "real" New York experience.
- The Blue Seats: Look for the blue velvet chairs near the windows. They are the prime real estate. If one opens up, move. Don't ask, just move.
- The Vibe: It’s "Renaissance" branding, which means "Navigators." These are basically concierges who aren't allowed to be boring. Ask them where the locals eat in Hell’s Kitchen, not where the nearest Olive Garden is.
The Location Logistics Nobody Tells You
Navigation is everything. The entrance to the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is tucked away on 7th Avenue. It’s easy to miss if you aren't looking for the signature "R" and the glass doors.
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Once you’re inside, you head up the elevators to the lobby. This is a smart security move. It keeps the street-level chaos away from the check-in desk. You aren't dealing with random tourists wandering in to use the restroom because there’s a literal gatekeeper vibe to the elevator bank.
You are sitting on top of the N, R, W, and 1 subway lines. This is the biggest selling point. You can get to the Tip of Manhattan or the Upper West Side in twenty minutes. Most people stay here and think they have to walk everywhere. Don't do that. Use the trains. The 49th St station is right there.
Dealing with the Noise
"Will I hear the sirens?" Yes. 100%. You are in the densest part of North America. The hotel has double-paned glass, and it does a remarkable job, but New York is a loud city. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs or use a white noise app. The Renaissance does better than the older boutique hotels nearby, but it’s not a soundproof bunker. It’s a living, breathing part of the neighborhood.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Hotel
There's a common misconception that this is a "business-only" hotel because of the Marriott tie-in. While you’ll see plenty of people in suits, it’s actually heavily geared toward the theater crowd. The walls are lined with subtle nods to Broadway.
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Another mistake? Thinking you can just walk into the R Lounge on New Year’s Eve. That is a ticketed, high-security event that costs thousands of dollars. If you want that view on December 31st, you need to book it a year in advance and be prepared to spend a small fortune. For the other 364 days of the year, it’s just a great bar.
Is It Worth the Points?
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, this is a "Category" heavy hitter. It’s often a better value to use points here during peak season (like December or June) than to pay the cash rate, which can skyrocket to $600+ per night.
But honestly, the value is in the time saved. You aren't wasting forty minutes on an Uber to get to your show. You’re already there. You can go back to your room to use your own bathroom during intermission if you're fast enough (okay, maybe not that fast, but you get the point).
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
Don't just show up and hope for the best. Times Square eats the unprepared.
- Request a North-Facing Room: These tend to get a bit more of the "action" view toward the TKTS booth.
- Join Bonvoy Before You Go: Even the lowest tier sometimes gets you a slightly better room placement or a later checkout.
- Skip the Hotel Coffee: Head around the corner to Bibble & Sip on 51st Street for some of the best cream puffs and coffee in the city. It's a 5-minute walk and infinitely better than anything in a lobby.
- Use the "Navigator": Ask them specifically for a dinner recommendation in Hell's Kitchen (9th Avenue). It's where the actual food is.
- Check the Elevator Policy: During high-traffic times, give yourself an extra ten minutes. The elevators are fast, but the hotel is busy, and stopping at every floor is a thing.
The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is for the person who wants to be in the middle of it all but needs a dark, quiet-ish corner to retreat to when the lights get too bright. It’s the "grown-up" version of a Times Square stay. It isn't cheap, it isn't massive, but it is undeniably New York. Use the gym on the third floor if you must, but your real workout is going to be weaving through the crowds on 48th Street. Embrace the chaos, then take the elevator up and watch it from a distance with a drink in your hand. That’s how you do Midtown.