During our New York City trip, we stayed at Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square, and it turned out to be a practical choice with a mix of highs and lows. Staying close to Times Square made sightseeing easier, and having an Empire State Building view from the room added a special touch to our NYC experience. This post shares our honest stay experience, including what worked well and what could have been better.
The hotel is located just a 7-minute walk from Times Square, which made it very convenient after long days of exploring New York City. Being close to major subway lines and bus routes helped us move around Manhattan easily, whether it was Midtown attractions, Downtown neighborhoods, or nearby parks like Bryant Park.
Choosing Where to Stay in New York City
While searching for hotels in New York, we considered several areas – Manhattan Downtown, Manhattan Midtown near Times Square, and Brooklyn. Brooklyn had some good options, but daily travel time felt like it would add up quickly.
Midtown Manhattan made more sense, especially for attractions, transport, and overall convenience. In the end, location, budget, and connectivity helped us finalize the Residence Inn near Times Square.
Why We Chose Residence Inn
One main reason for choosing the Residence Inn was the mini kitchen. After full days of walking, having a kitchen to heat food or make something quick was very useful.
For longer stays, this really helps with comfort and flexibility. We also trusted the brand and expected a decent standard, which the hotel mostly delivered.
Check-in Day Experience
We reached the hotel around 12 PM, but the room was not ready. The staff stored our luggage without any issues.
Instead of waiting, we walked to Bryant Park, which is nearby. We spent some relaxed time there and enjoyed hot chocolate and croissants at Angelina. It was a nice and calm way to start our New York trip. We returned to the hotel around 3 PM for check-in.
Room Upgrade and First Impression
As a Marriott Gold member, I received a pleasant surprise – an upgrade to a higher-floor room with an Empire State Building view. Our room number was 2710.
The room was relatively small, which is normal for a hotel in Manhattan, especially near Times Square. However, it was well planned.
We had a king-size bed, a convertible sofa bed, and a well-equipped mini kitchen. Despite the size, the room was comfortable and worked well for our stay.
Empire State Building View from the Room
The Empire State Building view was easily the best part of our stay. The morning and evening views were both beautiful.
One special highlight was watching the Empire State Building sparkle every hour for 5 minutes starting at 9 PM. Seeing this from the room after a tiring day was truly special.
AC Issues: The Biggest Problem During the Stay
Unfortunately, everything wasn’t perfect. On the first day, we noticed the air conditioner was not working. After complaining, a technician visited and eventually replaced the entire AC unit.
It worked fine for two days, but then it stopped cooling again. We noticed this late at night after returning completely tired, and since no technician was available, we had to sleep without an AC.
The next day, we requested a fix while we were out, but it was still not resolved by evening. Luckily, a technician was available later and replaced the unit again. After that, we noticed damp carpet near the AC unit, likely due to leakage.
Since it was our last night, we didn’t push further and informed the staff during checkout. They acknowledged the issue and provided Marriott Bonvoy bonus points for the inconvenience, which we appreciated.
Hotel Condition, Elevators, and Breakfast Experience
The hotel is quite old, and you can see signs of wear and tear in some areas. The elevators are slow, especially during morning hours, and waiting time can be long.
Breakfast was included, and while it was okay, the options felt repetitive, especially for a 6-night stay. We skipped breakfast on 2 days because it became boring. The breakfast area also got very crowded, making it hard to find seating during peak hours.
Final Verdict: Is Residence Inn Times Square Worth It?
Overall, our stay at Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square was comfortable but not flawless. The location, easy transport access, and Empire State Building view were the biggest highlights.
On the downside, AC issues, old infrastructure, and crowded breakfast affected the experience. I may consider staying here again, but not without exploring other hotel options around Times Square.
Share Your Experience
Have you stayed at the Residence Inn Times Square or any other hotel near Times Square in New York? How was your experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts or recommendations. Drop a comment and help fellow travelers plan better!
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Check out how we planned our 6-day trip to New York City🗽. Here’s a detailed itinerary with the perfect mix of classics and hidden gems — from iconic landmarks to authentic local vibes. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this guide has you covered.
Read more ➤ New York City Itinerary: 6 Days of Exploration
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