Westin New York Times Square

I first stayed at the Westin New York Times Square in 2002, when the world was younger, costumed characters hadn't taken over Times Square, and I still thought that music was best enjoyed at ear-splitting levels, even at upscale hotels. I remember that stay vividly: white tablecloth room service breakfasts, polished silverware, and the sort of grandeur that made even a 20-year-old feel sophisticated. Fast forward 23 years, and the hotel still stands, a beacon in Midtown, though it seems to have traded contemporary elegance for tourist-friendly comforts—more selfie sticks and city maps than concierge level and Chardonnay. A View, A Bed, and a Backache As a Marriott Ambassador Elite, I was upgraded to a corner river view suite, and I have to admit, the nearly unobstructed views are still something to behold. To the east, Midtown stretches like a sea of glass and ambition; to the west, the Hudson rolls quietly past Hell’s Kitchen, brushing against the edges of New Jersey. At night, the skyline glitters with the kind of promise that only New York can pull off. The room, meanwhile, quietly manages expectations. Everything was well-maintained, but the bed—a supposed Heavenly Bed—was less ethereal and more purgatorial. I overheard another guest lamenting a stiff back, and I couldn’t help but nod in solidarity. The bathroom, surprisingly small for a suite of this caliber, featured a walk-in shower so tight that I elbowed the glass not once, but twice, and with water pressure so strong it would make LBJ blush. But the room had its charms—large windows that let the city in, clean lines, and ample space to stretch out after a long day of battling the chaos of Midtown. And if you’re not in a suite, you’re still in luck—the Westin’s standard rooms are among the largest in Manhattan, a quiet triumph in a city where space is a rare form of currency. The Vanishing Act of Breakfast There was a time when room service breakfast here was an event: white linens, real silverware, the kind of morning that made you feel like you were starring in your own New York story. Now it arrives in a brown paper bag with all the gravitas of an Uber Eats delivery, but still runs $54 for two eggs, a biscuit, and coffee. My order was also missing butter, salt, pepper, and napkins—as if these small luxuries were casualties of modernity. If you’re in search of restaurant breakfast—or you’re hoping to cash in those elite breakfast vouchers—you’ll need to navigate your way to a too-tiny room marooned on a mezzanine, as if it had been sentenced there for crimes against culinary ambition. Smoked salmon and protein shots make a valiant attempt to distract you from the absence of an egg station. Instead, you’re presented with a buffet pan of 'egg product'—the kind of scrambled approximation that seems to have lost its way en route to becoming actual food. And then there’s the pancake machine—a whimsical contraption better suited for a Hampton Inn breakfast nook, yet somehow holding court here, churning out disks of batter for the hungry masses of this 700-plus-room monolith. But the staff—ah, the staff. Even when the offerings fall short, the people do not. John at the bell desk deserves a novel of his own. He remembers names, wards off rain with golf umbrellas, and genuinely seems to care that your experience is a good one. In a city famous for its indifference, his warmth is disarming. The Dance of Amenities and Service At the Westin, you must ask for what you need. Fridges, robes, and even extra coffee are by request only—a curious position for a AAA Four Diamond property. And speaking of coffee, what was once Starbucks has been replaced by something far less inspiring (no Keurigs or Nespresso here). I brewed a cup, took a sip, and immediately reconsidered my life choices. Laundry service, however, was efficient and reasonably priced for New York City—a small victory in a city where convenience usually comes at a premium. Dining and the Mysterious $40 Destination Fee Lunch service is conspicuously absent, as if midday dining is a concept yet to be discovered. The onsite restaurant leans casual, though a server confided in me that they’re trying to “elevate the experience.” I remain optimistic, if not entirely convinced. That said, the tiramisu is genuinely excellent—homemade, generous, and the sort of dessert that makes you forget the rest of the meal. The $40 daily destination fee is the hotel’s version of an escape room: you pay upfront, but the real challenge is figuring out how to collect your winnings. For your investment, you receive a $20 F&B credit (not usable for lunch, because there isn’t one), a $5 Starbucks card (which can be redeemed at any Starbucks—except the one that used to be onsite), and access to local attractions that are, in true New York fashion, nowhere near the hotel. It’s a bit like winning a raffle for front-row seats to Taylor Swift…in Toledo. To redeem your carefully portioned perks, you must report to the concierge desk between the highly accommodating hours of 9 am to 5 pm—because nothing says hospitality like conforming to a banker’s schedule. I stopped by at 4 pm on a Saturday to find the desk unmanned, half-expecting to find a handwritten sign saying, ‘Nice try—better luck next time!’ Instead, an employee wandered by, glanced at the empty desk with all the enthusiasm of a DMV clerk at break time, shrugged, and kept walking. Final Thoughts The Westin New York Times Square isn't as famous as the Marriott Marquis down the street, or as sexy as the W, its nearest neighbor in the Bonvoy brotherhood. But it's still an icon of Midtown, its mosaic facade a subtle reminder of the energy and enthusiasm of the city and its people. Even after a quarter-century, the charm survives, but it’s been brought down a few floors—once reaching for the skyline, now comfortably settled at street level, catering to a crowd more interested in convenience than character. I would come back—not out of habit, but out of a stubborn sense of nostalgia. A hope that maybe next time, breakfast won’t be delivered in something that looks like it just arrived by bicycle courier. That the bed will live up to its celestial promise. That I won’t have to channel my inner Oliver Twist to ask for more coffee cups. And Westin, if I promise to use AirPods the next time I want to blast Linkin Park (#7 on 2002’s Billboard Hot 100, but #1 in my 20-year-old heart), would you mind restoring a touch of that old magic? I’ll keep my music down; you bring back room service like it’s 2002. Please and thank you. Read less

Fantastic Family Stay The Good The location, Location, Location, Location. A short stroll from Time Square but far away enough to be away from its hectic surroundings. Right on the edge of Broadway and very close to the Harry Potter theatre. We found the hotel lifts to be very efficient, the gym was excellent and the bar was a great place to start our evening adventures from. The Bad The hotel lobby is nicely decorated with plenty of soft chairs and a TV but a hotel of this class should have complimentary refreshments such as water etc. The Ugly Marriott Vacations are active in the lobby which has a supermarket promotion feel about it. We have booked to stay at the hotel again in August this year through this promotion. I hope they’re promises of a total package price being a reality in exchange of us giving up 90 mins of our family time on this forthcoming vacation. Read less

There is a reason why we are return visitors to the Westin New York at Times Square--and it is because of the amazing hospitality from the Westin team! HUGE THANK-YOU to Terry and Michael for ensuring a seamless and lovely visit. Michael and David were so kind to send us a welcome which was so appreciated as my husband and I had to work a full day from the room on Friday. Monica, who checked us in at the front desk, was efficient, professional AND hospitable, a rare combination of qualities during a very, very busy Spring Break crowd and full lobby. As an Ambassador Elite, I travel a LOT for work, and I can say from personal experience that Monica is one of the best folks a the Front Desk that I have ever encountered! We also had a lovely interaction with Justin, from the Marriot Vacation Club, one afternoon after returning from our Broadway show. He was wonderfully warm and accommodating, taking photos for us and offering to help us make dinner reservations. We cannot say enough amazing things about the Westin New York Times Square and we sincerely look forward to our return visit back! (Oh, and I forgot to get the name of the Security guard on the ground floor, but when we returned late night Saturday he sent us to a great pizza place across the street and was so warm and lovely! :-)) Thank you to everyone at the Westin New York Times Square for continuing to serve its customers with such warmth and hospitality, even during one of the busiest Spring weekends we had ever seen! Cheers to you all--you are so appreciated and make an impact and difference to every customer who walks through your doors. Read less