Great Location for Exploring New York, but Some Room for Improvement
I just returned from a week-long trip to New York City and stayed at the New York Marriott Marquis. Overall, I had a good experience, and the location is absolutely unbeatable, especially for young adults and teens. There is so much to do nearby, and there is literally food everywhere! Times Square and many attractions are right outside your door, which makes it very convenient.
The hotel is very large and always busy, but I actually saw that as a positive. There is plenty going on, and the hotel helps guests arrange tours, which was a big plus for me.
The Room
I stayed on the 35th floor, so the noise level was surprisingly low. We could hear sirens from outside occasionally, but that's just part of being in New York City, and it did not interfere with our sleep.
The rooms are nice overall, but there are a few areas that could use improvement. My room had a slight smell that reminded me of cigarette smoke when I first arrived. Thankfully, it eventually faded. Since this is supposed to be a smoke-free hotel, I thought it was worth mentioning.
The cleanliness could also be better. The carpets could use a good cleaning, and I noticed that the housekeeping staff appeared to use the same cleaning cloths from room to room. Fresh cleaning cloths should definitely be used for each room.
The biggest issue for me was the bed. The mattresses felt worn and were not comfortable. After long days of work conferences and walking around New York, I really wanted a comfortable bed to come back to!
Food & Restaurants
Be prepared to spend money here. The hotel is definitely on the expensive side when it comes to both rooms and food.
The breakfast buffet is excellent, with something for everyone, but it is expensive at around $50 per person.
The restaurants inside the hotel were just okay for me. In addition to being expensive, I didn't find the food particularly kid-friendly, and there wasn't a huge variety of choices.
One of the best meals I had in the area was at Cane's Chicken (I'm not sure of the exact name). The restaurant was packed — there were more than 300 people there — but they still served us quickly, and the food was fresh and hot. It was also much more reasonably priced than many of the other options in the area.
Getting Around
There are always cabs waiting outside the hotel, which is very convenient, although they can get expensive. If you're able to walk, I highly recommend it. There is so much to see and experience in New York by simply walking around.
I have some difficulty with walking long distances, but I managed to walk a few miles each day by taking breaks along the way. It was worth it because walking allowed me to really experience the city.
Tours
The hotel was very helpful with arranging tours, which I really appreciated. Of all the tours we took, the Big Bus night tour was my favorite. Seeing New York City at night from the bus was an experience I highly recommend.
Overall
I would stay at the New York Marriott Marquis again, mainly because of its fantastic location and convenience. It is a great choice if you want to be right in the middle of the action, especially for families, teens, and young adults.
Just be prepared for the higher prices, and don't expect the most comfortable mattresses or perfect housekeeping. Despite those issues, the location makes it easy to explore New York and experience everything the city has to offer.
