Best Hotels With a View of Times Square

hotels with a view of Times Square: Not every hotel near Times Square actually looks out over it — and that’s the mistake most first-time bookers make. A handful of properties genuinely put you face-to-face with the billboards, the crowds below, and the glow that makes this intersection famous, while dozens of others just borrow the name.

This guide covers the real hotels with a view of Times Square: which ones deliver, which room categories to book, and which floors actually matter.

Whether you want a direct billboard view or just a hotel room with a view of Times Square somewhere in the distance, this guide breaks down exactly which properties deliver and which ones simply borrow the name.

Daytime and nighttime views here are two different experiences. By day, you get a wide, busy, almost gray-toned view of traffic, tourists, and scaffolding. After dark, the same window becomes a wall of moving color — the billboards are brightest and most photogenic between roughly 7 and 11 PM, which is worth keeping in mind if photos are part of why you’re booking a hotel with a view of Times Square in the first place.

Quick Comparison: Hotels With a View of Times Square

For hotels beyond just the view — including full breakdowns by budget — see our complete guide to hotels near Times Square.

Best Hotels With a View of Times Square

1. Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel

Sitting directly at 2 Times Square (47th & Broadway), this is one of the very few hotels built with the view as the centerpiece, and one of the most photographed hotels with a view of Times Square in the city. Its glass-walled R Lounge is famous among locals as one of the best indoor vantage points for the ball drop, and upper-floor guest rooms on the Broadway-facing side look straight down into the heart of the square.

For travelers specifically seeking a hotel with a view of Times Square, this is the benchmark property.

• Why it’s worth staying: No other hotel places you more literally inside Times Square itself.
• Types of views available: Direct billboard views, straight-down street views, partial skyline from side rooms.
• Best room category: Times Square View Rooms, specifically requested at booking.
• Floor to request: Mid-to-high floors (roughly floor 15 and above) for the clearest sightline over surrounding rooftops.
• Pros: Unmatched location, R Lounge as a bonus viewpoint, walkable to every Broadway theater.
• Cons: Noise from the square can be noticeable on lower floors; view rooms book out fastest and cost more.
• Nearby attractions: TKTS booth, Broadway theaters, Times Square subway station.
• Ideal traveler: First-timers who want the view to be the main event, and NYE visitors.
• Estimated price range: Premium — expect to pay more than comparable hotels a few blocks away for a confirmed view room.
• Insider tip: Call the hotel directly and ask specifically for a “Times Square view” room rather than trusting a generic “city view” listing online — the two are priced and assigned differently.

2. Marriott Marquis New York

An enormous, iconic tower right on Broadway, known for its interior atrium design and “The View,” a revolving rooftop restaurant that circles a full 360 degrees.

Many upper-floor guest rooms on the Broadway side look directly down onto the billboards below, making this one of the most reliable hotels with a view of Times Square simply due to its scale. You can check current room categories directly on the official Marriott Marquis booking page.

• Why it’s worth staying: The scale of the hotel means more view-facing rooms are available than at smaller properties.
• Types of views available: Direct Times Square, partial skyline, revolving restaurant panorama at the top.
• Best room category: Rooms specifically marketed as “Times Square View” rather than standard city view.
• Floor to request: Higher floors clear the marquees and scaffolding of buildings across the street.
• Pros: Central Broadway location, The View restaurant as a bonus, large enough to have availability even when smaller hotels sell out.
• Cons: Public spaces and elevators can feel crowded given the hotel’s size; interior atrium rooms have no exterior view at all, so room selection matters.
• Nearby attractions: Broadway theaters, Times Square Museum & Visitor Center, TKTS booth.
• Ideal traveler: Travelers who want an iconic NYC hotel experience alongside the view.
• Estimated price range: Upper-mid to premium, varies significantly by exact room category.
• Insider tip: Confirm exterior-facing vs. atrium-facing before booking — this hotel has both, and only one has any view at all.

3. The Times Square EDITION

A design-forward, five-star property a block from the square, known for a striking interior and elevated dining and bar spaces.

It leans into a more polished, design-magazine aesthetic than the bigger convention-style hotels nearby, while still qualifying as one of the better hotels with a view of Times Square from its upper floors.

• Why it’s worth staying: Combines genuine luxury design with proximity to the square, rather than choosing one over the other.
• Types of views available: Partial Times Square, broader Midtown skyline.
• Best room category: Higher-tier rooms and suites facing the square side of the building.
• Floor to request: Upper floors for the clearest skyline sightlines.
• Pros: Elevated design and service level, quieter than hotels directly on the square.
• Cons: Being a block away means the view is generally partial rather than a direct billboard wall.
• Nearby attractions: Broadway theaters, 7th Avenue shopping.
• Ideal traveler: Design-conscious luxury travelers who still want proximity.
• Estimated price range: Highest on this list.
• Insider tip: Ask reservations specifically which rooms face Broadway before booking — the building’s layout means not all “high floor” rooms face the square.

4. InterContinental New York Times Square

A quieter luxury option two blocks from the core of Times Square, trading a direct billboard view for a broader Midtown skyline outlook and a calmer street immediately outside. It’s best suited to travelers who want a Times Square view without direct exposure to the noise below.

• Why it’s worth staying: A genuine luxury stay for travelers who want the energy of Times Square nearby without the noise directly below their window.
• Types of views available: Skyline and partial Times Square glow from upper floors.
• Best room category: Upper-floor rooms, requested specifically for a skyline-facing side.
• Floor to request: Top third of the building for the clearest, least-obstructed skyline.
• Pros: Quieter than hotels directly on the square, strong service standard.
• Cons: Not a direct billboard view — manage expectations before booking.
• Nearby attractions: Theater District, Restaurant Row (46th Street).
• Ideal traveler: Travelers who want proximity without constant street noise.
• Estimated price range: Upper-mid to premium.
• Insider tip: Ask for a room on the Times Square-facing side rather than assuming any “high floor” room qualifies.

5. Hyatt Centric Times Square New York

Located directly on Broadway inside the Theather District, this upscale-but-approachable hotel is best known for Bar54, its rooftop bar with sweeping skyline and partial Times Square views, making it a strong pick among hotels with a view of Times Square even for guests who don’t book a dedicated view room.

making it a strong pick among hotels with a view of Times Square even for guests who don’t book a dedicated view room.

• Why it’s worth staying: Bar54 gives every guest access to a view, not just those in view-facing rooms.
• Types of views available: Rooftop bar skyline views for all guests; direct Times Square views in select upper-floor rooms.
• Best room category: Rooms specifically listed with a Times Square or skyline view at booking.
• Floor to request: Higher floors on the Broadway-facing side.
• Pros: Rooftop bar as a built-in view experience, central Broadway address.
• Cons: Standard rooms without the view upgrade can be unremarkable — the view is an add-on, not guaranteed.
• Nearby attractions: Broadway theaters, Times Square subway station.
• Ideal traveler: Travelers who want a view experience even if their exact room doesn’t have one.
• Estimated price range: Mid to upper-mid.
• Insider tip: Even without booking a view room, arrive early for Bar54 at sunset for the best light before it gets crowded.

6. citizenM New York Times Square

A compact, design-forward hotel a few blocks from the square, with a large communal lounge and rooftop-adjacent space that gives partial skyline glimpses on higher floors. It’s a fair choice for travellers who want a Times Square view hotel experience without the direct-view price tag. It’s a fair choice for travellers who want a Times Square view hotel experience without the direct-view price tag.

• Why it’s worth staying: Boutique design and comfort at a noticeably lower price than the hotels directly on the square.
• Types of views available: Partial skyline and distant billboard glow from upper floors; not a direct Times Square view.
• Best room category: Standard rooms on higher floors — there’s no dedicated “view room” category here.
• Floor to request: As high as available at check-in.
• Pros: Strong design, comfortable beds, communal lounge with skyline glimpses.
• Cons: No guaranteed or direct Times Square view — set expectations accordingly.
• Nearby attractions: Theater District, 8th Avenue restaurants.
• Ideal traveler: Travelers who want boutique style and proximity without paying view-room prices.
• Estimated price range: Mid-range.
• Insider tip: Ask at check-in whether a higher floor is available at no extra cost — assignments are often flexible same-day.

7. Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan

Sitting directly on Broadway with glass elevators that offer a moving view of the square on the way up, this is one of the more reasonably priced hotels with a view of Times Square that still delivers a genuinely direct outlook from select rooms. It’s best suited to travelers who want a Times Square view without direct exposure to the noise below.

• Why it’s worth staying: The best value option on this list for a real, direct view.
• Types of views available: Direct Times Square from Broadway-facing rooms; interior/courtyard views on other sides.
• Best room category: Rooms explicitly booked as Times Square view, not standard king/queen rooms.
• Floor to request: Mid-to-high floors on the Broadway side.
• Pros: Direct view at a lower price point than the luxury properties above; glass elevators are a nice bonus.
• Cons: Non-view rooms in this hotel can face an interior courtyard with no view at all.
• Nearby attractions: Broadway theaters, TKTS booth, Times Square subway station.
• Ideal traveler: Value-focused travelers who still want a real, confirmed view.
• Estimated price range: Mid-range — the best view-to-price ratio here.
• Insider tip: Always confirm “Times Square view” specifically in writing at booking — this hotel has both view and non-view rooms at similar price points.

8. Novotel New York Times Square

A few blocks from the core of the square, this mid-range hotel offers partial skyline views from upper floors rather than a direct billboard outlook — a reasonable trade-off for a lower price.

• Why it’s worth staying: A dependable mid-range option for travelers prioritizing budget over a guaranteed direct view.
• Types of views available: Partial skyline, distant billboard glow at night from higher floors.
• Best room category: Higher-floor standard rooms.
• Floor to request: As high as the hotel can offer at booking or check-in.
• Pros: Reasonable pricing, comfortable standard, walkable to the square.
• Cons: No direct Times Square view — this is a partial/distant view property, not a “hotel with a view of Times Square” in the literal sense.
• Nearby attractions: Carnegie Hall area, 7th Avenue.
• Ideal traveler: Budget-conscious travelers who want proximity more than a guaranteed view.
• Estimated price range: Budget to mid-range.
• Insider tip: Don’t pay extra for a “view” upgrade here unless the hotel can confirm specifically what you’ll see — ask before adding the fee.

Luxury Hotels With a View of Times Square

These are the top luxury hotels with a view of Times Square for travelers prioritizing comfort and design over price: the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, Marriott Marquis New York, The Times Square EDITION, and InterContinental New York Times Square, each with a different balance of direct exposure versus quiet.

Boutique Hotels With a View of Times Square

For a more design-focused, personal-feeling stay, Hyatt Centric Times Square New York and citizenM New York Times Square are the best boutique hotels with a Times Square view — the former for its rooftop bar view, the latter for its price-to-design ratio.

Budget Hotels With Partial Times Square Views

For travelers who still want a Times Square view hotel experience on a budget, Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan and Novotel New York Times Square are the two most realistic options for proximity and at least a partial view without paying luxury prices. For a full budget-hotel breakdown beyond just the view angle, see our hotels near Times Square guide.

Best Hotels for Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Views

NYE is the one night a Times Square view room becomes genuinely hard to get and dramatically more expensive — hotels typically require multi-night minimum stays and release ball-drop-view rooms and packages months in advance.

The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is the most well-known option specifically because its R Lounge has hosted organized indoor viewing for years, but a confirmed view room at the Marriott Marquis or Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan will also put you above the crowd instead of in it.

Official event details, road closures, and viewing area logistics are published each year by the Times Square Alliance. If you’re planning around the ball drop specifically, our Times Square New Year’s Eve guide covers viewing logistics, road closures, and timing in full.

Which Rooms Actually Have the Best Views?

Not every room in a Times Square view hotel actually has the view — here’s what separates the rooms that do from the ones that just share the address.

• Corner rooms: Typically offer two exposures instead of one, widening the angle of the square you can see.
• High floors: Clear the marquees, scaffolding, and street-level signage that block views from lower floors.
• Billboard-facing rooms: Specifically face the digital screens rather than a side street — always confirm this exact orientation, not just “city view.”
• Deluxe View Rooms: A distinct, higher-priced category at most of these hotels — don’t assume a standard room with a similar name includes the view.
• Suites: Often placed on higher floors by default, but confirm the exact facing side since not every suite in a building faces the square.

Tips Before Booking a Hotel With a View of Times Square

Booking a hotel with a view of Times Square takes a bit more diligence than a standard room booking — here’s what to check first.

1. Always call or email the hotel directly to confirm the exact room category name that guarantees a view — listing sites don’t always distinguish “city view” from “Times Square view.”
2. Ask which floor and which side of the building the view room is on before paying a premium for it.
3. Book view rooms as far in advance as possible for NYE, New Year’s week, and major holidays — availability disappears fastest for these dates.
4. Check recent guest photos in reviews rather than relying only on the hotel’s own marketing photos.
5. Compare the view-room premium against simply visiting a rooftop bar like Bar54 for a few hours instead — sometimes it’s the cheaper way to get the same photo.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make

These are the most common mistakes travelers make when trying to book a genuine Times Square view hotel.

• Booking a hotel because its name includes “Times Square” without confirming it actually faces the square.
• Assuming any “high floor” request guarantees a view, when the building may have multiple sides facing different directions.
• Not confirming the view in writing before arrival, then discovering at check-in that view rooms are sold out.
• Overpaying for a view room on a trip where you’ll spend very little actual time in the room.
• Expecting NYE availability without booking many months ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which hotels have a direct view of Times Square?

The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, Marriott Marquis New York, and Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan all have rooms offering a genuine hotel view of Times Square from the Broadway-facing side.

Are hotels with a Times Square view expensive?

Direct view rooms typically carry a premium over standard rooms at the same hotel, but mid-range Times Square view hotels like Crowne Plaza offer a better view-to-price ratio than the luxury properties.

What floor is best for a Times Square view?

Mid-to-high floors generally clear the marquees and street-level signage that block sightlines from lower floors, though the exact ideal floor varies by building height and surrounding structures.

Can you see the ball drop from a hotel room?

From a small number of upper-floor, Broadway-facing rooms at hotels like the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, yes — but these rooms sell out and require booking many months in advance.

Do boutique hotels near Times Square have views?

Some do, though typically partial rather than direct — Hyatt Centric Times Square New York’s rooftop bar and citizenM New York Times Square’s upper floors are the strongest boutique hotels with a Times Square view.

Is it worth paying extra for a view room?

If you’ll spend meaningful time in your room, especially at night, it can be worth it. If you’re mostly out sightseeing, a rooftop bar visit often delivers a similar view for far less money.

How far in advance should I book a Times Square view room?

60–90 days for most of the year, and 6–12 months for New Year’s Eve or other major event dates.

Do all rooms at these hotels face Times Square?

No. Every hotel on this list has multiple room orientations, and only specific view-designated rooms or higher floors on the correct side actually face the square.

What’s the difference between a “city view” and a “Times Square view”?

“City view” is a generic term that can mean anything from a side street to a skyline glimpse, while “Times Square view” should specifically mean the room faces the square’s billboards — always ask the hotel to confirm which one applies.

Final Word

The best hotels with a view of Times Square all share one thing: they treat the view as a specific, bookable room category rather than a marketing phrase. Confirm the exact room type, the floor, and which side of the building you’ll be on before you pay a premium, and you’ll get the window you’re actually paying for.

For more on planning the rest of your stay, browse our full hotel guide or check the best time to visit to plan around the clearest, least crowded days.