If you are looking for a hotel in Times Square that does not cost a fortune but still feels well-designed, citizenM New York Times Square is worth your attention. It sits in one of the most central spots in Midtown Manhattan, puts Broadway theatres and major landmarks within easy walking distance, and offers a room concept that is different from the standard New York hotel experience.
This guide covers the practical details — location, rooms, facilities, and what to expect when you arrive — so you can decide whether it is the right fit for your trip.
Love New York? Get our weekly guide to the city’s best places, hidden spots, and travel tips — straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our free newsletter.
Where Is CitizenM Times Square Located?
CitizenM New York Times Square is on West 50th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The address is 218 West 50th Street, between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, in the heart of the Theatre District.
From here, you can walk to Times Square itself in under five minutes. The nearest subway station is 50th Street on the 1/2/3 lines, giving you quick access to the rest of the city. The N/R/W trains at 49th Street are also close by.
Rockefeller Center is roughly a ten-minute walk north. Central Park’s southern entrance is about fifteen minutes on foot. For theatre-goers, the position is hard to beat — many Broadway shows are literally around the corner. Madison Square Garden and the High Line are both reachable in under 20 minutes on foot or a short subway ride.
John F. Kennedy Airport is roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car or the AirTrain and subway combination. LaGuardia Airport takes about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or rideshare.
What Makes CitizenM Different from Other Hotels?
CitizenM started in the Netherlands and built its reputation around a straightforward idea: give travellers a high-quality bed, a stylish space, and fast Wi-Fi without charging luxury hotel prices. The brand cuts costs in areas that do not affect sleep quality — smaller rooms, self-service check-in, no room service — and invests in the things that matter more, like the mattress, the shower, and fast internet.
The hotel is popular with frequent business travellers and younger tourists who want good design and a central location over a large room. If you are after a traditional hotel with a sprawling lobby, dedicated porters, and extensive in-room amenities, citizenM probably is not the right match. If you want to sleep well, move easily around the city, and spend less on accommodation, it is a solid option.
CitizenM also has other Manhattan locations — at Bowery and near the World Trade Center — so the brand has clearly found an audience here. The Times Square property is the most centrally located for visitors focused on Midtown sightseeing.
The Rooms: Compact but Well-Planned
CitizenM rooms at this property are compact — roughly 14 square metres, which is smaller than most American hotel rooms. However, the layout is well thought out. An XL king-size bed takes up most of the floor space, and a walk-in rain shower sits behind glass at the end of the room. There is no separate bath.
Everything in the room is controlled by a tablet called the MoodPad. You use it to adjust the lighting, set the temperature, operate the television, and control the electronic blinds. The system takes a few minutes to learn but works reliably once you get the hang of it.
Storage is limited, which is worth knowing before you pack. There is no traditional wardrobe, just an open hanging rail and a few shelves beneath the TV. For a short city break of two to four nights, this is perfectly adequate. For a longer stay, it can feel restrictive, particularly if you are travelling with a large suitcase.
Rooms face in different directions, and some have direct views of Times Square’s illuminated signs and billboards. If you want a quieter room, ask for one facing away from the street. The higher floors generally offer the best views and the least street noise.
Check-In and Check-Out
Check-in at citizenM is handled at self-service kiosks rather than a traditional front desk. The process takes about three minutes — you confirm your booking, choose your room from those available, and collect your key card. Staff are always nearby to assist, but the kiosk handles the essentials automatically.
Check-out is similarly straightforward. You can do it from the kiosk in the lobby or directly from the MoodPad in your room, which means no queuing at the desk before an early morning flight. This efficiency is one of the things guests regularly mention in reviews.
Planning a New York trip? Our newsletter covers hotels, neighbourhoods, food, and the details the guidebooks miss. Join thousands of New York lovers — subscribe free.
The Living Room: A 24-Hour Space That Actually Works
The ground-floor lobby — which citizenM calls the “living room” — is one of the hotel’s genuine selling points. It is open 24 hours a day and functions as a café, bar, and communal workspace all at once. You can order food and drinks at any hour, which is useful if you are arriving late from a flight or heading out early.
The space has a distinctive look: colourful furniture, a curated book collection, and bold artwork throughout. It draws both hotel guests and locals. During the day it works well as a spot to have breakfast, check emails, or meet someone. In the evening it operates as a bar with a livelier atmosphere.
The coffee is good, the Wi-Fi is fast, and the food menu covers basic needs — sandwiches, soups, and lighter meals available round the clock. It is not a restaurant replacement, but it handles the basics well at any hour of the day.
The cloudM Rooftop Bar
CitizenM Times Square has a rooftop bar called cloudM, located on the upper floors with open views over Midtown Manhattan. It is accessible to both hotel guests and the general public, and it tends to fill up on weekend evenings.
The bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine alongside a small selection of snacks. The views of Times Square, Midtown skyscrapers, and the surrounding skyline are genuinely impressive, particularly at dusk when the city lights up. It is a worthwhile spot for a drink whether or not you are staying at the hotel.
If you want a seat near the railing with a proper view, arriving before 8pm on a Friday or Saturday evening is advisable. It gets crowded quickly after that, and the outdoor space is not large.
What Is Nearby?
The hotel’s Midtown position gives you access to a significant number of New York’s major attractions on foot:
- Times Square — five-minute walk. The crossroads of the world is as overwhelming and energetic as advertised.
- Broadway theatres — many are within a few blocks. Book tickets well in advance for popular shows.
- Rockefeller Center — ten minutes north. Top of the Rock observation deck offers some of the best views in Manhattan.
- Central Park — fifteen-minute walk. The park’s southern end has the Wollman Rink and Tavern on the Green nearby.
- Hell’s Kitchen — directly to the west. This neighbourhood has some of the city’s best value restaurants across every cuisine.
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) — ten-minute walk. One of the world’s foremost modern art collections.
- Hudson Yards — 20-minute walk or one subway stop. The Vessel, the Edge observation deck, and good food options.
Practical Tips Before You Book
A few things worth knowing before you arrive:
- Book directly through the citizenM website. The rate is often the same as or better than third-party booking sites, and direct bookings sometimes get early check-in or room upgrade priority.
- Do not drive: parking in this part of Midtown is expensive and genuinely difficult. Public transport or a rideshare is strongly recommended.
- Pack light if you can: the limited storage in the rooms is the most consistent complaint in guest reviews. A carry-on bag suits the room better than a large checked suitcase.
- The cloudM rooftop is worth it: even if you only go up once, the view over Times Square at dusk is a proper New York experience.
- Noise can be an issue: Times Square does not quiet down at night. If you are a light sleeper, use the app or MoodPad to set the room to a darker, cooler setting and bring earplugs as a precaution.
- Contactless payment is accepted throughout the hotel, including at the self-check-in kiosks.
Is CitizenM Times Square Worth Staying At?
For the location, citizenM offers competitive rates by Times Square standards. The rooms are small, but the bed is excellent and the position in Midtown Manhattan is hard to argue with. The 24-hour living room, rooftop bar, and self-service setup all suit a certain kind of traveller very well.
If you are coming to New York to see shows, visit Midtown landmarks, or use the hotel as a base for exploring the whole city, citizenM covers the basics efficiently. It is not the right choice if you need a lot of space or prefer a full-service hotel experience with concierge and room service. But for a short, well-located stay in one of the city’s most visited areas, it is a practical and well-priced option that consistently delivers on what it promises.
The self-service model and compact rooms will not suit everyone, but for travellers who spend most of their time out in the city rather than in their room, this hotel makes a lot of sense.
New York has plenty of surprises beyond Times Square. Let us help you find them. Subscribe to our free New York newsletter and we will send the best of the city to your inbox every week.