As I mentioned in my review of the Hyatt Union Square New York, Hyatt’s growth in New York the past few years has been explosive. Going back a few years they only had one property in New York City, while they now have seven (the Grand Hyatt, Andaz 5th Avenue, Andaz Wall Street, Hyatt Union Square, Hyatt Times Square, Hyatt 48 Lex, and soon the Park Hyatt).
Up until now I’ve always stayed at the Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street. I consider those two hotels to be the best value in New York as a Gold Passport Diamond member. The service at both properties is great, the rooms are large, and both hotels are fairly good with upgrades.
So this time around for my two night stay in New York I decided to try two new Hyatt properties. I spent the first night at the Hyatt Union Square, and my second night at the Hyatt Times Square, which just opened late last year.
For the Hyatt Times Square I booked the “My Elite Rate.” which was about $160 — that’s tough to beat in New York! Usually I avoid Times Square like the plague, though I figured it was still worth checking out this hotel for one night.
The good news is that it’s not right in the heart of Times Square — it’s about two blocks away, so that’s nice. It’s a touristy area, but not nearly as bad as being right in Times Square, like the W Hotel, for example.
Hyatt Times Square exterior
Hyatt Times Square exterior
The Hyatt Times Square is fairly large — it has 487 rooms spread across 54 floors. The actual “footprint” of the hotel isn’t that big, as there are fewer than a dozen rooms per floor.
Hyatt Times Square exterior
The lobby is small but functional, and the front desk was located right by the entrance.
Hyatt Times Square lobby
Hyatt Times Square lobby
The associate checking me in was extremely friendly, and reminded me I would receive complimentary internet, 4PM late check-out (which she proactively applied to my room), complimentary breakfast (she didn’t name a dollar limit), and a choice of Diamond welcome amenities (I chose the 1,000 Gold Passport points).
The hotel has two sets of elevators — one for the lower floors and one for the higher floors. I was assigned a King Room on the 37th floor.
Hyatt Times Square elevator
I was assigned room 3702, located just outside the elevator to the left.
Hyatt Times Square hallway
Hyatt Times Square room entrance
Hyatt Times Square floorplan
I thought my room was a good size for an entry level room.
Hyatt Times Square room entrance
The room featured a king size bed, a chair with ottoman, and then a desk and flat screen TV on the opposite side of the room.
Hyatt Times Square room
Hyatt Times Square room
Hyatt Times Square room TV & desk
Instead of having a minibar there was just an empty fridge, which I far prefer.
Hyatt Times Square room fridge
While I was impressed that the other Hyatt had a Nespresso machine, this one just had a standard coffee machine with Starbucks blend coffee.
Hyatt Times Square room coffee machine
The desk was functional, with lots of outlets and adapters, and a comfortable enough rolling chair.
Hyatt Times Square room desk
Hyatt Times Square room chair with ottoman
The view from the room was nice enough thanks to the high floor I was on.
Hyatt Times Square room view
The bathroom was sleek, though at the same time black bathrooms drive me nuts and are almost blinding.
Hyatt Times Square room bathroom
Hyatt Times Square room bathroom
The bathroom featured a walk-in shower, with both a “rainforest” shower head and one you could hold. The shower pressure was excellent.
Hyatt Times Square room shower
The toiletries were KenetMD branded, which, well… at least it’s not Portico White Ginger (the brand they used to have).
Hyatt Times Square room shower
In the morning I had breakfast at t45, the hotel’s attempt at a retro diner. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is served daily from 6AM till 11AM.
The restaurant was huge and spacious, and I took a seat by the window.
Hyatt Times Square t45 Midtown Diner
Hyatt Times Square t45 Midtown Diner
The breakfast menu read as follows:
I had an egg white omelet, non-fat cappuccino, and orange juice for breakfast. The food and service were both excellent.
Hyatt Times Square t45 Midtown Diner
In terms of the hotel’s other facilities, there was a large gym on the 4th floor with a good variety of equipment.
Hyatt Times Square gym
Hyatt Times Square gym
Hyatt Times Square bottom line
The Hyatt Times Square is modern and feels “fresh” (as you’d expect from a brand new hotel). I thought it was well designed, and all of the employees I interacted with were genuinely friendly and wanting to please, to a higher level than I’ve found at most other hotels.
That being said, this does feel to me like a fairly bland property — the rooms are nice but plain, and the lobby is small and lacks any character. On one hand I like that the hotel is further uptown than the Hyatt Union Square, on the other hand I don’t like being only a couple of blocks from Times Square.
So I don’t have anything bad to say abut the hotel, but it’s not one of my favorites either, despite the great employees. If the price is right and my other “go to” New York hotels aren’t available/priced reasonably, I’d certainly consider returning.
Have you stayed at the Hyatt Times Square? If so, what did you think? What’s your favorite Hyatt property in New York?
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