Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel Review: Location & Rooms

Considering the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel for your next trip to New York? This Marriott property towers over Seventh Avenue at 48th Street, offering 312 soundproofed rooms and a lounge with panoramic views of the Times Square billboards. As of early 2025, the hotel is closed for renovation and scheduled to reopen in July 2025, according to Travel Weekly. In this review, we analyze guest feedback from multiple platforms, location trade‑offs, and the type of traveler who will get the most out of a stay — based on verified data and diverse review sources.

Last checked: 2026-06-13

Hotel name: Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel ·
Brand: Marriott ·
Address: Seventh Avenue & West 48th Street, New York, NY ·
Total rooms: 312 ·
Suites: 5 ·
Terrace rooms: 7

Is Renaissance Times Square a good hotel?

The short answer from most guests is yes — especially if you prioritize a front‑row seat to Times Square. The property’s Booking.com score of 8.4 out of 10 (Booking.com) and Marriott’s own 4.1 out of 5 (Marriott) both reflect solid satisfaction. The standout feature is location: it earned a 9.6 out of 10 from Booking.com reviewers, the highest sub‑score on that platform.

What do guest reviews say?

Across platforms, guests consistently cite the hotel’s direct Times Square access and the views from R Lounge as highlights. A family travel blog noted that the lounge’s elevated panorama alone made the stay “worth it” (The Family Travel Guy). An Expedia guest said the bar view was “excellent” and especially recommended it for first‑time visitors (Expedia). On the downside, some TripAdvisor reviews mention dated décor and occasional noise from the square (TripAdvisor). However, a review of a high‑floor room (26th floor) reported that the room was very quiet and had a comfortable bed (The Whole World Is A Playground).

How does the location contribute to the experience?

The hotel sits at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and West 48th Street, just steps from the Theater District and the 49th Street subway station. The 49th Street station (B, D, F, M trains) is a short walk, putting Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Midtown offices within a few stops. The location also means the entrance is on one of the busiest pedestrian corridors in the world. Several Booking.com reviews note that the area can feel crowded, especially during evening shows (Booking.com).

What are the pros and cons of the Renaissance?

Pros: location, amenities, soundproofing

• Prime Times Square frontage — the hotel sits directly on the square, with some rooms offering light shows through floor‑to‑ceiling windows.
• R Lounge views — the 7th‑floor lounge provides one of the best elevated perspectives of the neon canyon (The Family Travel Guy).
• Soundproofing — all 312 rooms are soundproofed, and a review of a 26th‑floor room reported hearing “little to no street noise” (The Whole World Is A Playground).
• Room size — a Facebook travel group discussion noted that rooms were “larger than average for New York City” with updated bathrooms (Facebook travel group).
• Marriott Bonvoy — guests can earn and redeem points, and elite members may receive upgrades (subject to availability).

Cons: potential Times Square noise, dated décor, no breakfast price data

• Noise despite soundproofing — soundproofing works well on higher floors, but lower‑floor rooms can still pick up street noise, according to some Booking.com and TripAdvisor reviews (Booking.com).
• Dated interior — TripAdvisor reviewers sometimes describe the décor as “tired” or “needs an update” (TripAdvisor). The current closure may address this.
• Breakfast cost — the hotel serves breakfast Monday–Friday 7:00–11:00 a.m. and weekends 7:00–11:30 a.m. (The Family Travel Guy), but the price is not publicly listed; a Booking.com reviewer described the price‑to‑performance ratio as “acceptable” without specifying a dollar amount.
• Current closure — the property is closed until July 2025, so no booking is possible before then. Travelers must choose alternative Times Square hotels (Travel Weekly).

Is Renaissance owned by Hilton or Marriott?

The Renaissance brand is owned by Marriott International. The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel is part of the Marriott portfolio and participates in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program (Marriott). It is not affiliated with Hilton. This distinction matters for loyalty members: Bonvoy elites can earn points, and the hotel may offer late checkout or upgrades based on status.

Is it safe to walk through Times Square at night?

Times Square is one of the most heavily policed public spaces in the United States, with constant foot traffic and visible NYPD presence around the clock. The area around Seventh Avenue and 48th Street is generally considered safe for pedestrians late into the evening (Times Square Official Lodging Guide). The hotel itself has a 24‑hour front desk and secure elevator access. During late‑night hours, the immediate sidewalks remain well‑lit, though like any dense urban area, standard precautions apply (keep valuables secure, stay aware of surroundings). Multiple first‑person accounts on Yelp and TripAdvisor mention feeling safe walking back to the hotel after shows (Yelp).