The New York Marriott Marquis is a Times Square icon. Opened in 1985, the hotel is located on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets. The two wings of the hotel house 1,971 rooms, making the Marriott Marquis the largest hotel in New York based on the number of rooms.
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis around 2004, and, even then, the decor was starting to feel a bit dated. We even visited the revolving rooftop restaurant and this was my Facebook profile picture for several years 🙂
Since then we’ve stopped by a few times, and not much has changed. The large atrium lobby was always crowded with people waiting to check in or to head out for flights. It seemed to be very popular with international tourists.
Over the last several years, the hotel has gone through a major renovation which included a makeover of all guest rooms and public spaces to more behind-the-scenes updates to the elevators and boiler system (here’s why that’s important). In addition, the New York Marriott Marquis has partnered with Union Square Hospitality Group to run the updated restaurants as well as the hotel’s catering services.
So how does the hotel look after the renovation? In a word, amazing. It’s almost unrecognizable from its old form, and that’s a good thing.
The hotel has redone the 8th floor, moving the check-in area to the other side and adding additional seating areas.
Also on the 8th floor is the Broadway Lounge which has a show pizza kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Times Square.
To each side of the Broadway Lounge are entrances to The Perch, described as an “Intimate Outdoor Terrace.” With prime space on Broadway, I’m amazed they took so long to open an outdoor bar at the Marriott Marquis.
On the 9th floor is the more subdued Revel & Rye Bar and Restaurant.
Seating for this location spreads out into the hotel’s atrium.
The rooms have a white/black color pallet, with greys for good measure.
Despite the prime location and newly renovated rooms, the cost for an award night for Marriott Bonvoy members isn’t out of line compared to other NYC alternatives. For the holiday season, rooms go for 70K points a night.
Prices for January drop to between 50K and 60K points for most nights.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador Elite member, you’ll have access to the M Club. That’s Marriott’s new vision of a club lounge.
Reserved for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members and paying guests, the stately double doors welcome guests to the generously large lounge, which seats close to 200. The lounge features a library, business support center, and ample seating such as communal worktables and banquettes, and feature plenty of charging stations for electronic devices. A complimentary full buffet breakfast is offered, along with a “Grab & Go” station for members to enjoy a coffee or pastry.
I don’t know about you, but that’s one of the best-looking lounge rooms I’ve seen. Also, remember that all you need is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX to get Platinum Elite status and therefore have access to the club during your stay.
Final Thoughts
Previously, I never looked to stay at the New York Marriott Marquis. The rates were always too expensive and I could easily find other Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the area. However, now that the hotel is newly renovated and fits better into the Times Square area it anchors, I look forward to staying there again.
Hotel photos courtesy of New York Marriott Marquis.
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