New York City changes fast. One day you’re grabbing a slice at a corner joint, and the next, it’s a high-end luxury condo. But for decades, The View Restaurant Marriott NYC was the one constant in the chaotic heart of Times Square. It was the place where you took your parents when they visited from out of town, or where you nervously popped the question while the floor literally moved under your feet. It sat 48 floors up in the New York Marriott Marquis, a revolving beacon of 80s architectural ambition.
Then, everything went quiet.
If you’ve walked through the lobby of the Marriott Marquis lately, you’ve probably noticed the vibe is different. The massive renovation that swept through the hotel in 2022 didn't just refresh the carpets; it fundamentally altered how the building breathes. The View, famous for being New York’s only revolving rooftop restaurant, became a ghost of its former self during the pandemic. People keep asking: Is it open? Is it still spinning? Does it even exist anymore?
The short answer is complicated. The long answer tells you everything you need to know about the current state of Manhattan tourism and why "The View" we once knew has evolved into something else entirely.
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The Revolving Mystery of the Marriott Marquis
John Portman was the architect behind the Marriott Marquis, and he was obsessed with the idea of the "atrium." He wanted people to feel small but inspired. When The View Restaurant Marriott NYC opened in 1985, it was a technical marvel. The floor completed a full 360-degree rotation every hour. You’d start your appetizer looking at the neon glow of Times Square and finish your dessert staring at the Hudson River.
Honestly, the food was rarely the point.
Most locals knew the menu—heavy on steak, salmon, and expensive cocktails—was secondary to the engineering. You paid for the movement. You paid for the fact that the Empire State Building would eventually drift into your line of sight if you just sat still long enough. It was a tourist magnet, sure, but it was our tourist magnet.
Why the rotation actually mattered
Technically, the "spinning" wasn't just a gimmick. It served a functional purpose in a city where space is a premium. By rotating the dining room, the hotel could offer every single guest a "window seat" at some point during their meal. It eliminated the hierarchy of the dining room. There was no "bad table."
But keeping a floor spinning for 40 years is a mechanical nightmare. The maintenance costs for the revolving tracks and motors are astronomical. When the hotel underwent its $30 million renovation, the future of the revolving mechanism became a hot topic among NYC history buffs and hospitality insiders.
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What happened to the View Restaurant Marriott NYC?
If you try to book a table today, you might get confused. During the post-pandemic reshuffle, the space underwent a transition. It shifted from a formal, sit-down dining experience with a massive buffet (remember that famous Sunday brunch?) to something more fluid.
The hotel rebranded and leaned into the "Le Bain" and "Rooftop" culture that has taken over the city. Currently, the space is often utilized for private events or specific lounge experiences rather than the traditional white-tablecloth dinner service of the 1990s. This has left a lot of travelers frustrated. They show up expecting the 48th-floor rotation and find a space that feels more like a modern corporate lounge than a romantic destination.
The "New" Marriott Marquis Experience
Instead of just one revolving room, the Marriott Marquis now focuses on the Broadway Lounge. It’s located on the 8th floor. It doesn't spin.
Wait. Don't leave yet.
While the 8th floor sounds low, it actually puts you right in the "canyon" of Broadway. You’re eye-level with the massive digital billboards. It’s a different kind of intensity. But for those who want the height—the 48th-floor View Restaurant Marriott NYC—the access has become more exclusive. It’s less about "dinner and a show" and more about "cocktails with a vantage point."
Navigating the Reality of Times Square Dining
Let’s be real for a second. Eating in Times Square is usually a trap. You’ve got the Olive Garden with the inflated prices and the chain restaurants that look the same in Des Moines as they do on 42nd Street.
The View was always the exception because of the physics involved.
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If you are planning a trip and have your heart set on that rotating view, you have to check the current operational status directly with the Marriott Marquis front desk or their official concierge. Why? Because they have been toggling between public lounge hours and private event buyouts. Since 2024, the "restaurant" aspect has been in a state of flux.
What to expect if you do get up there
- The Price Tag: Expect to pay $25+ for a cocktail. You aren't paying for the gin; you're paying for the elevator ride and the square footage.
- The Dress Code: It’s "smart casual," but honestly, it’s Times Square. You’ll see people in tuxedos and people in cargo shorts who just came from a matinee of Wicked.
- The Motion Sickness: It’s rare, but some people genuinely hate the rotation. It’s slow—one inch every few seconds—but if you’re sensitive, it can be trippy.
Better Alternatives for the "View" Obsessed
If the View Restaurant Marriott NYC is booked for a private corporate retreat or if you just can't get a reservation, don't panic. New York has entered a "Golden Age" of observation decks and high-altitude dining.
The Edge at Hudson Yards offers a much more terrifying (and exhilarating) outdoor glass floor. If you want a meal with a view that actually rivals what the Marriott used to offer, Summit One Vanderbilt has transformed the concept of "looking at the city" into a full-blown psychedelic art installation.
Then there’s Peak at Hudson Yards. It’s on the 101st floor. It doesn't spin, but it’s so high up that the horizon line literally starts to curve. It’s the modern successor to the 1980s revolving restaurant dream.
Is it still worth it?
Honestly, it depends on your nostalgia levels. If you grew up watching movies where the characters had a romantic dinner overlooking the NYC skyline, the Marriott Marquis still holds that magic. There is something undeniably "Old New York" about entering that space-age glass elevator and shooting up through the center of the atrium.
It feels like the future... as imagined in 1985.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. If you want to experience the 48th floor, follow these steps to avoid being turned away at the elevator.
- Call the Hotel Directly: Do not rely on third-party booking sites like OpenTable or Resy for The View. Their status changes weekly based on private bookings. Call the New York Marriott Marquis at +1 212-398-1900.
- Check the "Lounge" Hours: Often, the space is open as a lounge (The View Lounge) rather than a full restaurant. This is actually better for your wallet. You can grab a drink, see the whole city, and leave without dropping $300 on a three-course meal.
- Time Your Arrival: Aim for 30 minutes before sunset. This is the "Golden Hour" where you get to see the city transition from daylight to the neon glow of the night. Since the floor rotates (when active), you’ll get the full spectrum of light across Manhattan.
- Dress the Part: Even if the person at the next table is in a tracksuit, dressing up a bit makes the experience feel less like a tourist trap and more like a New York Moment.
The View Restaurant Marriott NYC might not be the same powerhouse it was in the era of big hair and shoulder pads, but it remains a singular piece of New York City history. Whether it’s spinning or stationary, standing 48 stories above the "Center of the Universe" is something everyone should do at least once. Just make sure you check the door is open before you head up.