Hotel Review: W New York Times Square

I’ve stayed at the W New York Times Square dozens of times through the years. I used to work at an office a few blocks away. The hotel is smack dab in the middle of Times Square and if you’re not there to be a tourist the crowds outside the door can be annoying. That said, the location is close to the subway and there are tons of restaurants and stores nearby. Once inside, the W is an oasis of calm and it’s currently undergoing a renovation.

Anthony’s Take: The W Times Square New York is a hotel that is filled with memories for me. When I used to commute to a New York office twice a month from Chicago I would often have friends come and hang out when I got suite upgrades. We’d order sushi and watch movies. The hotel is showing some signs of age and I hope the renovations make it sparkle. The rooms and suites are comfortable and work for me when I need to be in Midtown.

Booking

I booked a 1 King Bed, City View, Wonderful Guest Room on a “Member Flexible Rate.” It was $323 per night including fees. This total had a $30 Daily Destination Fee included. Marriott did away with award charts a few years ago, but redemptions can be had for between 50,000 and 87,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points.

Transportation to/from the Hotel

I took an Uber Comfort from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the hotel and back the next day to head home. The ride there took around 36 minutes (it’s around 28.5 miles) and cost $69. Departing, the ride was shorter and cost $38.

Location

The W Times Square New York  is located in Times Square and guests have convenient access to just about anything they could want or need 24 hours a day. It’s crowded as soon as you get out of the hotel, but you really do feel like you are in the thick of it once outside.

The lobby is located on the seventh floor. An elevator with fresh flowers welcomes guests on the ground floor.

There are usually three elevators, but only one is running during the renovations.

The lobby has been updated and is gorgeous. It’s dark, moody, and quite sexy.

I love the individual pods that feel like they are out of a Sci-Fi movie.

The space feels modern and elegant. W is growing up and this is further evidence of the change that the brand is undergoing.

The bar is on the opposite end of the lobby and known as the Living Room like every other W Hotel.

I love the neon displayed behind the bar.

The check-in desks are to the left once you exit the elevator from the ground floor on seven. I arrived at the hotel around 1:00 PM. My room was ready, which I appreciated. I inquired about an upgrade and was told that I was upgraded to a 1 King Bed, Skyline View, Spectacular Guest Room. There were several suites showing for sale and I asked the agent about those. He said that they were not available even if I waited until after 4:00 PM. He offered a 4:00 PM late checkout, which I accepted. He did not tell me about the lounge or the inclusions with the $30 Daily Destination Fee.

The Destination Fee includes the items above. I would have used the $30 had I known about it. My keys were printed a moment later and I was off to my room.

The concierge desk is to the right.

One of the areas of the lobby that I have always loved has been kept intact. To the left of the reception desks there is a small area with graffiti-covered walls.

It’s a fun area of the hotel and serves no purpose other than to house an ATM and add some art.

There are two sets of elevators. My room was on the 47th floor and the second set of elevators served the higher floors.

The hallways have not been updated and still have the same look as always.

1 King Bed, Skyline View, Spectacular Guest Room (4704)

There are 509 rooms and suites at the hotel.

The room opens with the bathroom on the left. It held a vanity with a single sink, a toilet, and a glassed-in shower.

The vanity had a bowl sink and a good amount of counter space. A bar of Acca Kappa soap and Skin Regimen Body Cream were on a shelf above the sink.

The bathroom was small and the toilet was close to the vanity and shower.

The shower was a good size with fine water pressure and temperature.

Toiletries in the shower were Acca Kappa and MOMO brand.

The closet is across from the bathroom. It held a bathrobe, iron, ironing board, safe, and luggage rack.

The bedroom is a good size (especially for New York City). It contains a king-sized bed and nightstands on one wall.

A chaise lounge and a table were near the window.

A desk is across from the chaise lounge.

A box on the desk contained a pen and paper.

A mini-fridge was under the desk. It was filled with beverages for sale with limited space for guest use.

A TV was mounted on the wall across from the bed.

A bottle of water, a wine key, and the ice bucket were on the far end of the desk.

A lucite box was filled with snacks for sale.

Public Areas & Amenities

The hotel has a fitness center, a bar, Blue Fin and Dos Caminos restaurants, an ATM, and the gorgeous Living Room bar pictured above.

The fitness center holds a good amount of machines and free weights.

Apples and towels were provided.

I was pleased to see that the fitness center had two Peloton Bikes.

A restroom was also located inside of the fitness center.

Overall Impression:

The W New York Times Square is a great hotel and getting better with its latest renovation. While it’s in the middle of Times Square, it provides easy access to everywhere you’ll want to go in the city.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: When I’m staying at a Marriott hotel, I want to maximize my points earned. My card of choice is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. With it, I earn six Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. It also includes up to $300 statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month ) for dining in restaurants worldwide. Plus, a free night award every year after my card renewal month that I can redeem at any Marriott hotel with a redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points. Learn more. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, please visit here. Terms apply.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

(Exterior Building and Bar Photo Credits: Marriott.)