Hello,

We are coming to NYC March 20-24th. We are currently booked at the Residence Inn Times Square, but I'm having second thoughts after reading some suggestions on here (noise/location not that great) as well as some complaints from recent guests regarding the elevators. While we do need to stay with the Marriott family (booking on points), we are open as to where we stay. We have enough points that the category does not really matter; just needs to be Residence Inn, Fairfield, Courtyard, etc. There appears to be two in the Trade Center area, one around Chinatown, one in the Greenwich Village area, and several in the midtown area. As it's my husband's/DD's 1st time here, we'll be doing the standard touristy things (Statue of LIberty/Ellis Island, Chinatown, MoMA, the Met, Broadway show, etc.) I know we'll be all over the place, but is there a location better than Times Square in the Marriott family? I appreciate any and all suggestions, and will probably post a few more itinerary questions shortly. Thank you for the help!

Pick one that is out of Times Square and near a subway station. That can be done by putting them into a Google map and noting the subway icon. Sorry, I have not stayed in any of those you have mentioned so can't give a definitive answer.

I've stayed at that Residence Inn and it's not that bad. Sure, Times Square is very busy, but hey, it's Times Square.

One place I've stayed a few times is the Courtyard on Third between 53rd and 54th. Love the location, lots of places to eat and drink nearby. Midtown Manhattan, New York Hotels | Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East

I've stayed at the Residence Inn near Bryant Park (is that the one they call "Times Square"? -- it's close but really NOT Times Square at all), the Courtyard between 53rd and 54th, and the Fairfield Inn (or was it Springhill Suites?) on 37th. Frankly, they're all fine. The rooms at the Fairfield Inn/Springhill Suites were fresher because the hotel is newer. The rooms at the Courtyard are the largest, very big by Manhattan standards (our room was large enough for 2 queens AND a sofabed), but very plain.

Thank you very much SusieQQ, Gardyloo, and sf7307 for your reply. I think we'll take a look at the Courtyard Manhatten/Midtown and the Fairfield on 37th. I appreciate your insight!

The Residence Inn on 54th and Broadway is among the best locations, far enough away from Times Square that it’s not too crazy and close to transit; there’s a Courtyard in the same building. The 6th Avenue location is not at all Times Square and not at all a bad location. But I can’t recommend downtown. The Courtyard on Third Avenue and 53rd is a great location, as is the Marriott on Lexington nearby. If none of those work, then let’s keep looking.

I am fond of the Marriott Eastside at Lex and 49th. It's in a classy historic building in a quiet yet centrally located area. My husband has stayed there on business a bunch of times, and we have also stayed there as a family. If you can swing a pass to the concierge level, the food there is pretty decent for breakfast and pre-dinner snacks. Don't tell anybody, but they have one gigantic room per floor near the elevator. The room is quiet, but it is about triple the size of a regular room for the same price. Make nice when you check in, and they may put you in that room.

You say you are "doing all the touristy things" and yet you want to avoid Times Square. WHY? It isn't as it you cannot walk out of the Marquis Marriott and go a block or two to the subway. You won't get mugged, etc., and that Marriott is about as central to some of those things you say you want to do as it gets. The buffet breakfast which you can get included with points probably is extensive, too. But to each their own

IMHO Times Square is extremely crowded, noisy,and filled with over-priced chain restaurants. At the end of the day, it is nice to go back to a hotel in a less hectic area. Go see Times Square at night, take a few photos but don't stay there.

Thank you all again for your input. Unfortunately a few of the ones mentioned above were already booked (namely the one on 54th as a few people recommended), but we did change our reservation to the one on 6th Avenue per comments above. Seems like it is central enough but a few blocks away from Times Square itself. We also discovered as we were using four nights worth of points we were eligible for a free 5th night, so we've been able to extend our vacation by a day (just $30 more total for changing our plane tickets). It does pay to actually connect with a live person sometimes instead of doing everything electronically! Now will just need to get some earplugs as the one bedroom suites aren't available to book on points, and DH is a mean snorer.

Dukey1, we will definitely swing by Times Square, especially as that is on DD14's list. But per many comments I have read on here recently, most locals say to avoid the hotels in the area and recommend staying elsewhere. As location is important to us (we went to DC last summer with extended family and stayed out of the city as we did not book the hotel - I feel we missed out on the vibe of the city), I just thought I'd ask here to get some feedback, which has been a great help!