On your first holiday to New York, there’s a moment when you step out of the subway, look up, and Times Square lights up all around you. If you stay nearby, that view greets you morning and night. But with so many hotels just steps from the square, each offering something different, it can be hard to choose. Some are quiet and historic, others are modern towers with rooftop bars, and a few are cosy spots perfect for travellers who’d rather spend on Broadway tickets than a big room. So, the real question isn’t whether to stay near Times Square, but which hotel matches your style. Here are ten Times Square hotels to know, and who they’re best for.
Why Base Yourself in Times Square, New York
The real reason is convenience. Broadway theatres, major subway lines, and countless restaurants are just a few blocks away, so you spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the city. If it’s your first holiday to New York, being able to walk everywhere makes a big difference.
It’s true that Times Square is loud and crowded, and the sidewalks stay busy late into the night. Still, most hotels in the area have soundproof windows and offer rooms on higher floors, so you can enjoy the excitement during the day and get a good night’s sleep. If you want some energy but not all the noise, try booking a hotel a block or two away from the main intersection and walk over. Either way, you’ll use Times Square as a starting point each day, not somewhere you’re stuck.
The Best Hotels in Times Square New York For a Classic Stay
Here are ten hotels to consider, listed from the most iconic to the most practical. Each one includes tips on who it suits best, so you can find the right fit for your trip.
The Knickerbocker
This historic hotel is considered by many to be the classic Times Square address. Opened in 1906, it is a protected New York City landmark and is said to be where the dry martini was first served. The St. Cloud rooftop offers a direct view of the spot where the Times Square ball drops every December.
- Where: 42nd Street and Broadway, on the southern edge of the square.
- Best for: Couples and anyone who wants a little history with their glamour.
- Standout: A Beaux-Arts landmark with a rooftop bar and a Charlie Palmer steakhouse downstairs.
- Good to know: Rates sit at the luxury end, so book well ahead for December.
New York Marriott Marquis
This large hotel is right on the block everyone watches on New Year's Eve. Its main attraction is The View, the city's only revolving restaurant, which reopened in 2025 with Danny Meyer and completes a full turn every hour on the 47th and 48th floors. If you want the full Times Square experience, this is the place.
- Where: 1535 Broadway, right on the square between 45th and 46th.
- Best for: First-timers and families who want to be in the middle of everything.
- Standout: The revolving restaurant and a soaring interior atrium.
- Good to know: It is enormous and busy, so expect a queue at check-in on peak dates.
Renaissance New York Times Square
Located at Two Times Square, this boutique hotel puts you right next to the bright lights. The R Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows with views in three directions, and the top-floor Terrace Rooms have private balconies above the crowds. It is smaller and quieter than the nearby high-rises.
- Where: 714 Seventh Avenue at 48th Street, overlooking the square.
- Best for: Couples who want the view without a 2,000-room hotel.
- Standout: Balcony rooms and a lounge suspended right over the action.
- Good to know: The terrace rooms are limited and go early.
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
A few blocks north of the busiest part of Times Square, this 1,780-room hotel offers more space and is closer to Central Park. The Club Lounge on a high floor has views of both the park and the city rooftops, and the Hudson Market in the lobby is a convenient spot for breakfast. It is a good choice if you want a break from the crowds.
- Where: 811 Seventh Avenue, towards Central Park.
- Best for: Travellers who want space and a calmer edge of the district.
- Standout: One of the largest hotels around, with park and skyline views up top.
- Good to know: It is a short walk to the square, not right on it.
The Westin New York At Times Square
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
Located one avenue back on 43rd Street, this 45-story hotel is close to the action but a bit quieter. The Heavenly Bed is especially comfortable after a busy day, and Foundry Kitchen & Bar serves breakfast and cocktails on site. There is also a 24-hour gym with Peloton bikes for guests who want to keep up their routine.
- Where: 43rd Street at Eighth Avenue, a block off the square.
- Best for: Couples and work-and-leisure travellers who value good sleep.
- Standout: Famously comfortable beds and a calm, living-room lobby.
- Good to know: The busiest part of the square is a two-minute walk away.
Hyatt Centric Times Square New York
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
The main attraction here is Bar 54, the highest hotel rooftop bar in New York, located on the 54th floor. The rooms are spacious for the area and have floor-to-ceiling windows. On New Year's Eve, the terrace offers a direct view of the ball drop. This is a modern hotel for anyone who enjoys a great view with their evening drink.
- Where: 135 West 45th Street, a block from the square.
- Best for: Couples and friends who want rooftop evenings.
- Standout: Bar 54, the highest hotel rooftop bar in New York.
- Good to know: A nightly destination fee applies on top of the room rate.
Millennium Times Square New York
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
This hotel is built around the historic Hudson Theatre and is known for being a quiet spot in a busy area. Previously called the Millennium Broadway Hotel, it offers large rooms with soaking tubs, and the higher floors have wide views of the Theatre District. It is close to Fifth Avenue shopping but set just off the main street.
- Where: 145 West 44th Street, in the Theatre District.
- Best for: Repeat visitors who want calm and space near the square.
- Standout: A working Broadway theatre in the base of the building.
- Good to know: There is no rooftop bar, but the location does the heavy lifting.
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
Guests are greeted with a warm chocolate-chip cookie, a welcome that many first-timers remember. The High Bar & Lounge on the roof offers 360-degree views of the Empire State Building, the Hudson River, and One World Trade Centre. Rooms on the 25th floor and above have skyline views.
- Where: 350 West 40th Street, near the Port Authority.
- Best for: Value-minded couples and families who still want a rooftop.
- Standout: A wrap-around rooftop with several landmark views at once.
- Good to know: It is a 7 to 10 minute walk to the heart of the square.
YOTEL New York At Times Square
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
Inspired by first-class air travel, this hotel offers compact "cabins" with adjustable beds and mood lighting instead of large rooms. A robot named YOBOT stores your bags, and check-in is done at a self-service kiosk. The Social rooftop terrace is one of the largest indoor-outdoor hotel spaces in the city. This place is ideal for travellers who just need a place to sleep between outings.
- Where: 42nd Street on the western edge, a short walk from the square.
- Best for: Solo travellers and first-timers happy with a compact, well-designed room.
- Standout: Self check-in, a luggage robot and a huge rooftop terrace.
- Good to know: Cabins are small by design, so pack light.
Holiday Inn New York City Times Square
Image Source: Official Hotel Website
This hotel is reliable, practical, and truly family-friendly, making it a good choice if you want a simple stay in a great location. Kids stay and eat free, and the on-site Rattle 'N' Hum West serves over 40 craft beers on tap. Some rooms have views of the Empire State Building. It is a straightforward option just a few minutes from Times Square.
- Where: 585 Eighth Avenue, near the Port Authority.
- Best for: Families and first-time visitors who want something easy and central.
- Standout: Kids stay and eat free, plus a serious craft-beer bar downstairs.
- Good to know: The square is a 5- to 10-minute walk, not on the doorstep.
Times Square New York Hotels Compared at a Glance
If you want to compare them directly, here’s a quick summary.
Hotel | Where | Best for | Standout |
The Knickerbocker | 42nd & Broadway | Couples, history lovers | Landmark building, martini legend, ball-view rooftop |
New York Marriott Marquis | 1535 Broadway | First-timers, families | The View revolving restaurant |
Renaissance New York Times Square | Two Times Square | Couples wanting the view | Balcony rooms over the square |
Sheraton New York Times Square | 811 Seventh Ave | Space seekers | Large rooms, park and skyline views |
The Westin New York at Times Square | 43rd St | Good sleep | The Heavenly Bed, calmer setting |
Hyatt Centric Times Square | 135 W 45th St | Rooftop nights | Bar 54, highest hotel rooftop bar |
Millennium Times Square | 145 W 44th St | Calm near the square | Historic Hudson Theatre in the base |
DoubleTree Times Square West | 350 W 40th St | Value with a rooftop | 360-degree High Bar views |
YOTEL New York | West 42nd St | Solo, first-timers | Cabins, luggage robot, big terrace |
Holiday Inn Times Square | 585 Eighth Ave | Families | Kids stay and eat free |
When to Visit and the New York Times Square Ball Drop
When you visit makes a big difference. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and quieter streets. In summer, it gets hot and crowded, while December is the busiest time of all.
The busiest moment is New Year's Eve in Times Square, when hundreds of thousands gather to watch the famous ball drop at midnight. The current ball, called the Constellation Ball, first appeared for 2026 and is the largest so far.
The Times Square Ball, by the numbers | |
Debuted | November 2025 (rang in 2026) |
Diameter | 12.5 feet |
Weight | 12,350 pounds |
Crystals | 5,280 Waterford crystals |
Tradition since | 1907 |
Tribe Travel Tip: If you want to see the ball drop without spending nine hours packed in a crowd, try a rooftop bar with a clear view, like Bar 54 at the Hyatt Centric or the Knickerbocker's St. Cloud. These places offer ticketed New Year's Eve packages that include an open bar and a midnight toast. They fill up months in advance, so be sure to book early. If you prefer a quieter and more affordable visit, consider coming in late spring or early autumn, and avoid the last week of December unless the countdown is your main reason for visiting.
Finding Your Place in Times Square New York
Choosing the right hotel depends on the kind of experience you want. Whether you’re after a bit of history and a martini, a room above the bright lights, a rooftop view, or a simple spot for the family, you’ll find it all within ten blocks. No matter what you’re looking for, staying in Times Square puts the best of New York right outside your door.
That’s where Holiday Tribe can help. We create holidays that bring together your hotel, transfers, sightseeing, and the experiences you want, all in one plan. You can choose one of our ready-made New York itineraries, or we can design one just for you, based on your dates and travel style. Let us know how you like to travel, and we’ll find the perfect spot for you in Times Square and handle the details. All you need to do is step outside and take it all in.
