Times Square is usually the last place a local New Yorker wants to be. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It smells like roasted nuts and desperation. But then Ian Schrager—the man who basically invented the boutique hotel concept with Studio 54-era flair—decided to drop the Times Square EDITION NYC right into the middle of the madness at 47th and 7th. It changed the math. Suddenly, you aren't just staying in a tourist trap; you're hovering thirty floors above it in a minimalist sanctuary that feels more like a private yacht than a Midtown hotel.
Most people think staying here means constant noise. Honestly? It’s surprisingly quiet. The soundproofing in the 452 guest rooms is industrial-grade. You can watch the neon glow of the Coca-Cola sign from your bed while feeling like you’re in a silent retreat. It’s a weird, beautiful juxtaposition.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Times Square EDITION NYC
There’s this assumption that every hotel in this zip code is a cookie-cutter chain designed for high turnover. The Times Square EDITION NYC fights that tooth and nail. It’s part of the Marriott family, sure, but the DNA is pure Schrager. We're talking about a design language that relies on white oak, neutral linens, and greenery. Lots of greenery.
When you walk into the lobby, you’re hit with the signature Le Labo scent—which, by the way, is a custom blend specifically for EDITION hotels. It smells like expensive tobacco and black tea. It’s intoxicating. You forget the guy in the Elmo suit screaming outside within five seconds of the elevator doors closing.
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens
This is the "secret" weapon. Chef John Fraser, who made a name for himself with the Michelin-starred Dovetail, oversees the culinary program here. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens is essentially an 18th-century English garden reimagined for a skyscraper. It’s lush. There are over thousands of plants. It’s the kind of place where you order the broccoli cacio e pepe—trust me on that—and forget that you're sitting in the most densely populated intersection in North America.
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It isn't just a hotel restaurant. It's a destination for people who live in the West Village but find themselves stuck uptown for a meeting. The vibe is sophisticated but weirdly relaxed for NYC. You'll see fashion editors sitting next to tech founders, all of them hiding from the bright lights below.
The Room Experience: Is It Worth the Premium?
Let’s be real. NYC hotel rooms are notoriously small. The rooms at the Times Square EDITION NYC aren't sprawling estates, but they are incredibly efficient. Everything is intentional. The light switches are where they should be. The outlets are plentiful. The Bang & Olufsen speakers actually work.
- The beds feature signature imported linens.
- Bathrooms are stocked with those full-sized Le Labo products I mentioned.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows are the standard, not an upgrade.
If you can swing it, get a room with a balcony. Having a private outdoor terrace overlooking the New Year’s Eve ball drop site is a flex that few other properties can offer. It’s a bird’s-eye view of humanity. You see the gridlock, the tourists, the lights, but you’re detached from it. It feels like watching a movie on mute.
The 701West Experience
If the Terrace is the casual sibling, 701West is the high-fashion older sister. It’s the hotel’s fine-dining anchor. It’s dramatic. Electric blue velvet chairs, old-school rolling champagne carts, and a wine list that is frankly intimidating. They have an incredible selection of French classics, but the sommelier won’t judge if you ask for something more approachable. It’s one of those rare places in Midtown where the food actually matches the price tag.
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701West and the Nightlife Pivot
Ian Schrager knows how to build a bar. The Paradise Club is the hotel's "modern-day cabaret." It’s inspired by Studio 54 but updated for 2026. They do these immersive performances that are part circus, part theater, and entirely surreal. It’s a bit much for some people, but if you want to see the "theatrical" side of New York without going to a Broadway show, this is it.
The bar program across the entire property is tight. You won’t find sugary "Times Square" cocktails here. Expect serious mixology. A proper Negroni. A martini that’s cold enough to hurt.
Why This Specific Location Matters Now
The Times Square EDITION NYC sits inside the 20 Times Square building. It’s literally steps from the R/W, N/Q, and 1/2/3 subway lines. Logistics-wise, you can get anywhere in Manhattan in 20 minutes. That’s the utility.
But the real reason to stay here is the cultural shift. For a long time, luxury travelers stayed at the St. Regis or the Lowell to avoid the "riff-raff" of the Theater District. The EDITION changed that by bringing a downtown sensibility to an uptown coordinates. It made it okay to stay in Times Square again.
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A Note on the Gym
Don't skip it. Usually, hotel gyms are an afterthought in a basement. This one is high-tech, sun-drenched, and features a massive outdoor terrace for stretching or HIIT workouts. Seeing the city wake up while you're on a Peloton is a genuinely cool New York moment.
Practical Insights for Your Stay
Booking a room here requires a bit of strategy. Prices fluctuate wildly based on the Broadway schedule and major holidays. Honestly, if you can go during a "shoulder" week in February or late September, you’ll get much better value.
- Request a high floor: The views get significantly more "cinematic" once you pass the 25th floor.
- Dining reservations: Book The Terrace at least two weeks out. It’s popular with locals, not just guests.
- The Le Labo Factor: If you love the scent, you can actually buy the candles at the front desk. They make for a great (if expensive) souvenir.
The Times Square EDITION NYC isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a specific vibe. It’s for the traveler who wants the energy of the city but demands a "reset" button. It’s minimalist. It’s chic. It’s the most sophisticated way to do the least sophisticated neighborhood in the world.
To make the most of your visit, download the Marriott Bonvoy app before arrival for mobile check-in. This allows you to bypass the lobby rush during peak check-in times (usually 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Also, check the Paradise Club schedule ahead of time; tickets for the more popular cabaret sets sell out quickly, often weeks before the actual date. If you're planning to explore the city, utilize the concierge for restaurant bookings outside of the hotel—they have excellent pull at some of the harder-to-get spots in Hell's Kitchen and the Diamond District. Finally, take five minutes to just sit on the 10th-floor terrace at night with a coffee. It's the best free show in the city.