The Times Square EDITION Review: Worth Using an 85K Marriott Certificate?
New York City has no shortage of Marriott options, and while The Times Square EDITION is one of Marriott's luxury brands, I recently had the opportunity to try it using a free night certificate that was about to expire.
Would I stay again? Yes.
Would it be my first choice in New York City? Probably not.
Here's my honest review.
How I Booked It
I booked this stay using an 85,000-point Marriott Free Night Certificate plus a 9,000-point top-up.
Since the certificate was nearing expiration, I viewed this as a great opportunity to redeem it at a luxury property that would otherwise command a much higher cash rate.
For travelers sitting on expiring certificates, this can be a smart way to maximize value.
Location
The Times Square EDITION is exactly where its name suggests: right in the heart of Times Square.
If you're looking to be within walking distance of Broadway theaters, restaurants, shopping, and many of New York City's major attractions, the location is hard to beat.
The hotel reception is located on the 10th floor, which immediately creates a different feel than the crowded streets below. My room was located on the 37th floor, providing a welcome escape from the chaos of Times Square.
Surprisingly Quiet Rooms
One of my biggest concerns going into the stay was noise.
Times Square is one of the busiest locations in New York City, and I fully expected to hear traffic, sirens, and crowds throughout the night.
To my surprise, the room was exceptionally quiet.
Despite being located in one of the most active parts of Manhattan, the hotel did an excellent job insulating guest rooms from outside noise. For light sleepers, this is a major advantage.
The Destination Fee
Like many New York City hotels, The Times Square EDITION charges a destination fee.
In this case, the fee was $49 per night.
Normally, destination fees aren't my favorite aspect of hotel stays, but this one at least offered benefits that can provide real value if you use them.
The fee included:
• $40 food and beverage credit
• Two tickets to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
I personally did not use the MoMA tickets, but if you take advantage of both benefits, the value can exceed the cost of the fee.
The food and beverage credit can encourage spending on property that you might not have otherwise made, but I still found it to be a reasonable value proposition.
The Room
The room reflected what I expected from an EDITION property: modern, stylish, and well-designed.
The finishes felt upscale, and the overall aesthetic was sleek and contemporary.
The biggest downside was size.
Rooms are definitely on the smaller side, even by New York City standards.
For a solo traveler or couple on a weekend getaway, this likely won't be an issue. However, families or travelers with multiple large suitcases may find the space limiting.
Working From the Hotel
If you're planning to work extensively from your room, this may not be the ideal property.
There was no dedicated desk in my room, and the available work surface felt awkward and somewhat impractical for longer work sessions.
That said, I noticed several guests working from the large tables located in the lobby bar area. If you only need to answer a few emails or take a short call, the common areas may work better than the room itself.
Food and Atmosphere
One area where the hotel excelled was atmosphere.
The lobby bar became quite lively in the evening and felt like a destination in its own right. It added energy to the property without making guest rooms feel crowded or noisy.
For travelers looking for a stylish hotel with a social atmosphere, this is a definite plus.
Who Should Stay Here?
I would recommend The Times Square EDITION for:
• Couples looking for a weekend getaway
• Solo travelers
• Visitors who want to be in the center of the action
• Marriott Bonvoy members looking to redeem free night certificates
I would probably look elsewhere if:
• You're traveling with children
• You need significant workspace in your room
• You prefer larger accommodations
• You want a quieter neighborhood experience outside of Times Square
Final Verdict
The Times Square EDITION delivers a modern luxury experience in one of the most convenient locations in New York City.
The rooms are quiet, the design is beautiful, and the destination fee can provide reasonable value if you take advantage of the included benefits.
However, the smaller rooms and lack of dedicated workspace keep it from being my favorite Marriott property in New York.
For the right trip—particularly a couples getaway or certificate redemption—it can be an excellent choice.
Travel Closet Dad Rating: Worth It for the right trip, but not my first choice in NYC.