New Manhattan Apartment-style Option for Travelers
 

The Pod Hotel Times Square is now offering "pod pads" (real, one- and two-bedroom apartments) in addition to the regular small rooms. While these are aimed at longer-term visitors and start at $4000 per month for a nice-sized one-bedroom, you can also rent them for a shorter time starting at about $150 a night for the one-bedroom and $350 for the two-bedroom. What's notable is that these are legal, and the two bedrooms have two baths, something you don't and can't often get in NYC for that price, as well as a small but real kitchen. And the two bedrooms allow dogs. This is nothing to sneeze at, and I'm happy to see growing options in the apartment category. However, I'm concerned that corporate travelers will snatch these up for longer-term rentals, which I think the Pod Times Square probably prefers. The location on west 42nd, between 9th and 10th avenues, is pretty good ... and closer to the heart of Times Square than the Yotel, which is on 10th Avenue. I'd consider this a good choice for families.

Thank you, Doug. This is helpful information!

Well that sounds good, but for fun I just went to their own site and checked several random groups of dates during September and October. I checked 5 night stays in both the 1 and 2 bedroom pods. The average I found available was actually $365 per night before taxes ($434 a night after taxes) for a one bedroom and $538 a night before taxes ($630 a night after taxes) for a two bedroom. Nowhere could I find anything even remotely close to $150 a night for a one bedroom. In fact -- nothing for anything less than at least double that amount.

$150 did sound oddly low.

Actually, they say $5,000 a month, with different rates for shorter-term options. If it's actually available on a monthly basis for $5,000, it would be a terrific option (vs. "under-the-table" subletting)

It’s $150 right now. October is the very height of high season in NYC, and prices are typically double then. You’ll see that at all hotels, not just this one. That’s still a good price for a room of this size and type.

I guess I'm far too stupid to use their website. I went back to it and looked for this week. Actually without inserting dates it now says "FROM $209" for a one bedroom. Maybe that $150 per night has already expired? But I tried three and four night combinations for the upcoming week (both including weekend and during the week only) and the lowest I got was $353 a night before taxes, or $417 a night with taxes. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I sure can't find a $150 a night one bedroom there to save my life. Nor can I even find their "from $209".

Sounds like they have great rates. Thanks for sharing.