Unique Times Square Hotels in New York City

For the most part Times Square and Midtown are some of the less interesting places in New York - and also some of the more expensive. If you can live with spending a little more than $150/night and you're determined to stay in staying in Times Square, I can provide a few quick recommendations:

- The New York Marriott Marquis is a large chain, so your first instinct is to say "Big and Generic" but it's got a revolving restaurant at the top, which I still go to even though I've lived here for 10 years (pricey buffet, but nice for a drink). It is also classically Times square in that it celebrates the Broadway aspect of its' location well and offers regular sized rooms. Most hotels in NY will stiff you by providing a small room - the Marquis does not.

- For something a bit darker (pun very intended) the Night Hotel is a little more niche. It's themed as a more hip abut also dark themed hotel. While I've never met Robert Smith from the Cure, this is assuredly the hotel he would stay at. Rooms are supposed to be small - so fair warning, but if you're looking for unique, this is the place.

- Yotel New York is a purple, futuristic themed hotel right on the outskirts of Times Square (9th Ave and 40th) but is DEFINITELY unique. I've not stayed so I don't have the full download, but the theme is Japanese and futuristic, and I'm told the rooms carry on that theme.

- W Hotel is always a good fit and just because it's in Times Square doesn't make the hotel any less W and any less great. It's right on Broadway/7th Avenue so you'll be in the thick of everything.

Hotels to avoid: Westin, Doubletree.

Good luck and have fun!

whoever told you TS is the best place to book or hotel doesn't know NY. If you want unique, The Bowery Hotel is worth looking into; but I would stay anywhere but Time Square, seriously, unless you like anxiety, tourist traps and bad food. 

Eventi - A Kimpton Hotel is midtown is pretty nice - really big rooms, hip vibe, nice open bar with glass over top, a spa, and wine&cheese hours. The rooms are really nice.

It's hard to find a unique hotel to stay as you get closer to time square. 

Stay  at Hudson Hotel . Very trendy. It is not in Times Square but walking distance or a straight subway ride 2 stops. Has a lot of character. Not sure on rates. Need to check.

Times Square is definitely not where one would find unique places to stay. Look for inns in Greenwich Village, Chelsea (New York), Upper West Side. Abingdon Guest House or West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments could be good options. You may want to expand your budget to $300 for more options. Not unique hotels, but at least you'll have the choice of different neighborhoods.

I've lived in manhattan for 10 years and I get asked this question all the time. Everyone thinks Times Square is the place to stay. To be honest the hotels are more expensive and generally not as great as other areas, but the best uniques ones would be:

Night Hotel New York- close to fifth ave and Rockefeller Plaza, it's a block away from Time Square and one of the best hotels in the area. 

TRYP by Wyndham New York Times Square- close to a ton of restaurants and in the heart of times square. The best bang for you buck in my opinion plus, it was recently renovated. 

Eventi - A Kimpton Hotel in midtown is also a solid choice.

Other great budget hotels outside of times square:

Upper East Side- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side would be a nice place to look into, within your budget, and a way better location than Times Square. 

Cosmopolitan Hotel Tribeca in TriBeCa. Budget friendly and downtown. The rooms are remodeled and very clean. 

Sohotel may not be the best hotel in the world, but the location can't be beat. Close to Chinatown New York and SoHo.

Bentley Hotel- you'd be surprised to find out how cheap the rooms are here for where it's located. Great views and you gotta check out the rooftop bar. 

Honestly, I would not recommend staying in Times Square.  It is definitely something amazing to see if you haven't been to NYC, but it is so overly crowded and really not a true view of NYC.  I would recommend staying somewhere downtown.  The West Village, East Village, Chelsea (New York), or SoHo would be my recommended neighborhoods. Good luck!

The Chatwal is one of the nicer hotels in time square area, but i'm going to guess it's out of your budget.  

To be honest, you'll be struggle to find any hotel in the times square area for ~$200/night, much less one with character. 

Depending on what time of year you are going to the city, chances are finding a hotel in that price range may be a little difficult. However when I travel, I also try to find unique hotels so I have a couple of favorites. My number one recommendation especially if you are looking in the Times Square area is Yotel New York! Its a hotel themed around Japanese capsule hotels so its very space-age modern with a Japanese flavor. You get a remote-control bedroom (the bed turns into a couch with a push of button) and the hotel boasts the first robotic concierge! Its my favorite place to stay in New York and in your budget. There is also Marrakech Hotel (2688 Broadway, 103rd Street, New York, NY 1002) which is not that close to Times Square but the hotel is Moroccan themed and definitely worth a visit if you want to transport yourself to some place new. The The Jane Hotel in the West Village used to be a boarding house that sheltered survivors of the Titanic. It has a turn-of-the century vibe, retaining a lot of the historical context. citizenM New York Times Square (216-218 West 50th Street, Times Square, New York, NY 10017) is in Times Square and is a super chic boutique hotel that is fun and lively with great decor and ambiance. Last but not least, there's the Library Hotel which may be a bit steep but it is ranked as one of the best hotels in New York City and that's because the whole hotel's concept is centered around a library so every room is themed around a book genre and uniquely adorned with a collection of books and art exploring a distinctive topic. I hope you find something worth your while!

Times Square has some of the worst value hotels in all of Manhattan. Hate to say it, but your best bet would be a different area (e.g. SoHo).

Check out The Library Hotel, very unique, but not at Times Square.

Michelangelo Hotel is nice and near TS.

The Algonquin Hotel is a neat historic hotel with a great bar and close to TS.

You are going to be hard presses to find a decent hotel in New York for $150-200.  Having lived in NYC, I personally would avoid the Times Square, but if this is where you want to be, go with a brand hotel, (Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan / Times Square South or Comfort Inn Times Square South) where there is some assurance of standard quality. I would avoid hotels further west than 8th Ave. Cheaper hotels are usually around Lower Manhattan (Wall St.), Midtown East or Upper East Side.  

Being a main tourist area, you got lots of hotels in that area!
When I stayed in New York City a few years ago, I stayed about maybe a 10 minute walk away from Times Square, it was still close, but I didn't have to deal with the heavy tourist traffic.

Hope that helps.

It is probably not a good idea to stay around Times Square. It is very crowded and touristy. You will generally get a better quality room in the Upper East Side, since the buildings are newer. That said, you will not spend much time in your room as NYC is a 24/7 happening and you will have so much to see and do you will only sleep in your room. 

Explore the hotel booking sites to find something in your price range and read the reviews. 

The Jane Hotelsounds great to me, it is on a beautiful street and the west village is an especially fun and lively neighborhood. 

Although this is a subject of much debate, I believe that downtown NYC is much more fun than uptown. But you will find out for yourself soon.

Your price point is a bit low for Times Square, but check out the brand new citizenM New York Times Square, Night Hotel New York and the Sanctuary Hotel. Also the W New York - Times Square and the Dream New York. All fun, trendy vibes.

Time Hotel (website)

The Pod Hotel less expensive nice neighborhood

As everyone else has said, not much with character in that price range in Times Square. I have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square and while it unfortunately does not have unique charm and is above your preferred price (around $300 in summer) I found the staff courteous and rooms clean and a good size for NYC. Plus it is a bit on the outskirts of Times Square so the area is much less crowded.And if you are interested in Broadway there are several theaters within a few minutes walk.Good luck! Hope you have a great trip!

Hello Carol. Not sure if you will find a hotel in Times Square for the amount that you just mentioned (I never had before).  My favorite hotel is Park Central Hotel. It is not cheap but it is pretty close to Times Square, Central Park, 5th Ave and many other key areas of Manhattan.

Hope this helps!

Stay at The Jane Hotel or Pod 39.