New York City hotels are mostly a scam. You pay $400 for a room that smells like 1992 and a "resort fee" that covers nothing but the Wi-Fi you already expected. If you're looking for a place to sleep that doesn't feel like a dusty museum or a sterile corporate box, you've probably stumbled across citizenM New York Times Square. It’s different. Honestly, it's polarizing.
People either love the high-tech, pod-style efficiency or they absolutely hate the fact that they can't find a closet. I've spent enough time in Manhattan's concrete jungle to know that "luxury" is usually just code for "expensive lobby, tiny shower." This place flips that. It prioritizes the stuff you actually use—like a bed that’s basically a giant marshmallow and water pressure that could strip paint—while cutting out the fluff.
But is it actually right for your trip? Let’s get into the weeds of what it’s really like inside.
The citizenM New York vibe: It’s not your grandma’s Marriott
Walk into the lobby on 50th Street and you’ll notice something immediately: there’s no check-in desk. No tired clerk behind a marble counter asking for your ID while you stand there with three suitcases. Instead, you go to a kiosk. It’s like an ATM for hotel rooms. You scan your own key, and you’re done in 60 seconds.
The "Living Room" (their word for the lobby) is packed with Vitra furniture and enough art books to fill a library. It feels like the apartment of that one friend who moved to Brooklyn, got rich in tech, and has impeccable taste in Mid-century Modern chairs. You’ll see people on MacBooks everywhere. It’s a workspace that happens to serve cocktails.
What’s the deal with the rooms?
They are tiny. Truly. We’re talking about 150 square feet.
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If you are traveling with three suitcases and a golf bag, just stop reading and go to the Hilton. You won't fit. But if you're a solo traveler or a couple who actually likes each other, it works. The layout is smart. The XL King bed is shoved against the window, meaning you have to crawl over your partner to go to the bathroom at 3:00 AM. It's a quirk. Some call it "cozy," others call it "an obstacle course."
The real magic is the MoodPad. It’s an iPad that controls the entire room. Want the lights to be neon purple? Tap. Want the blackout blinds to drop because the Times Square neon is burning your retinas? Tap. Want to watch a movie? It’s all there.
The location gamble: Times Square but not too Times Square
Location is everything in Manhattan. citizenM New York Times Square is technically on 50th and Broadway. That is the belly of the beast.
Here is the reality: Times Square is loud, crowded, and smells like toasted nuts and desperation. However, being on 50th Street puts you just far enough north that you can escape the worst of the Elmo-suited buskers and the "I Heart NY" shirt hawkers. You’re two blocks from the C/E subway lines and three blocks from the N/R/W.
You can get to Central Park in ten minutes by foot. You can hit a Broadway show and be back in your pajamas before the crowd even reaches the subway stairs.
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Why the rooftop bar actually matters
Most hotel bars in Midtown are overpriced traps for tourists. cloudM—the rooftop bar here—is actually decent. The views are incredible. You’re looking out over the skyline without the $50 cover charge you’d find at a "prestige" lounge. It’s one of the few places in this neighborhood where you can grab a drink, look at the lights, and not feel like you’re being milked for every cent.
The "Hidden" details: What the brochures don't tell you
Let's talk about the shower. It’s a circular pod in the middle of the room. It has two modes: AM (invigorating) and PM (relaxing). It sounds gimmicky, but the water pressure at citizenM New York is legendary. In a city where most old hotels have the water pressure of a leaky faucet, this is a legitimate luxury.
- The Fridge: It’s empty. No $12 Snickers bars. No $9 waters. They want you to use the 24/7 canteen downstairs.
- The Gym: It’s small, but it’s on the 19th floor. Working out while staring at the Chrysler Building is a vibe.
- The Soundproofing: This is the most impressive part. Times Square is a cacophony of sirens and honking. Inside the room? Silence. They used some serious engineering to keep the city out.
Is it worth the price tag?
Manhattan hotel prices fluctuate wildly. One night it’s $180, the next it’s $550 because some dentists are having a convention at the Javits Center.
citizenM New York Times Square generally stays in the mid-range. You’re paying for the location and the "cool" factor. If you want a bathtub, a bellhop to carry your bags, and room service that brings you a club sandwich at midnight, you will hate it here. There is no room service. There are no bellhops.
But if you want a fast, stylish, and remarkably clean home base while you're out exploring the West Village or catching a show, it’s hard to beat. Honestly, the Wi-Fi is faster than most people’s home connections. That alone makes it a winner for anyone who needs to take a Zoom call between sightseeing stops.
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The common misconceptions
People think "micro-hotel" means "hostel." It doesn't. This is a high-end experience, just scaled down physically. The linens are high-thread-count. The towels are heavy. The art is curated. It’s not cheap; it’s efficient.
Another mistake? Thinking you can fit a family of four here. Don't try it. They have a strict "two people per room" rule because, quite frankly, a third person would have to sleep in the sink.
How to do it right: Insider tips for your stay
If you decide to book, don't just take whatever room they give you. Use the app to check in early and try to snag a room on a higher floor. The higher you go, the better the view and the further you are from the street-level vibration of the subway.
- Skip the breakfast if you want to save money. There’s a Joe & The Juice nearby and plenty of bagel spots that are more "New York" than the hotel buffet.
- Use the "Living Room" for work. It’s better than any coworking space in the area and the coffee is actually good.
- Check the 21st floor. Even if you aren't buying a drink at the bar, the outdoor terrace is open to guests during certain hours. It's the best free view in Midtown.
Final thoughts on the citizenM experience
The citizenM New York model is built for the modern traveler who spends 90% of their day outside the hotel. It’s for the person who wants a great shower, a massive bed, and a TV that actually works with Chromecast. It’s not for the person who wants to spend the afternoon lounging in a bathrobe.
It is a bold choice. In a city that often feels like it's trying to take your last dollar, there's something refreshing about a hotel that tells you exactly what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else.
Actionable steps for your trip
- Download the citizenM app before you arrive. You can use it as your room key and to control the temperature before you even walk through the door.
- Pack light. Use a carry-on if possible. The storage under the bed is designed for standard suitcases, but massive trunks will be a nightmare in the limited floor space.
- Join the "Citizen" program. It's free and usually knocks about 10% off the room rate immediately, plus you get a free "welcome drink" which helps offset the NYC cocktail prices.
- Explore Hell’s Kitchen. Instead of eating in Times Square, walk two blocks west to 9th Avenue. The food is better, cheaper, and way more authentic.