A Night at The Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square, NY

Written by Carol Cain on 25 March 2010

When people are planning on coming to New York City, whether it be for the day or a more extended stay, I always make sure to tell them to be ready to walk a lot. In part because of the traffic and non-existent parking, but mostly because if and when you drive in New York City you miss a lot. Even a “New York pro” such as myself discovers new places everyday, and on this adventure, I discovered a fab hotel.

Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square, has been on Avenue of the Americas and 38th street since 2005, but this “always in a rush New Yorker” somehow missed it. But thanks to their gracious invitation to visit, not only do I now know where to find an awesome family hotel right across the street from Bryant Park, which is lovely whether it be Winter or Summer, but I also had an opportunity to experience a night there.

This smoke-free hotel has 357 suites on 30 floors, and 5 meeting rooms with 5,000 sq. ft of meeting and event space. All hotel suites come standard with a kitchenette, and though the rooms vary in size, the attention to design and layout never make even the smallest of their rooms feel too small. The rooms also include sofa beds for extra sleeping space. The beds are divine. The softness and quality of the sheets and all the attention to detail, from towels to the pillows, celebrate the owner’s passion and connection to the fabric industry.

I was immediately impressed with the space of my room, a great value for the area. The hotel is conveniently located on the Westside, only a short walk from Times Square, theaters, restaurants and other NYC attractions.

Also impressive are the amenities. Amenities such as a complimentary breakfast (and we’re not talking just cereal and a bagel here, I mean breakfast), complimentary Wi-Fi in all the rooms, a full laundry, with washer and driers located on the lower level (includes a nice number of machines, a change machine, and laundry detergent dispenser), and a grocery delivery service to stock up your fridge either before or during your stay (no extra service fee is applied).

It’s also important to note that as of last year, The Residence sits right along the Thanksgiving Day parade here in NY and to celebrate the occasion they hosted a lovely brunch for their guests in one of the event/meeting rooms that overlooks all the fun, something they plan on continuing to do. The large windows provide a VIP view, and the hotel’s staff provide the VIP treatment and service. Definitely take note for your holiday plans!

Bottom line: the services, the location, the wonderful staff, and the affordability make the Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square a wonderful family hotel choice.

And even if not traveling with kids, you’ll have a great selection of night life entertainment and posh eateries, as well as have access to the hotel’s in-house lounge, which hosts jazz performances and a varied selection of bar favorites.