Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel by Marriott

Dated, worn, look elsewhere. Turned up to find out hotel lobby is under refurbishment (no notice was mentioned of this when booking nor prior to arrival). Entrance to the hotel is through a single door off of Times Square, then what should be two lifts up to the hotel reception. One lift is out of action due to refurbishments which left one lift which holds maximum of 8 people so there were constant queues out the door to get up/ down. There is no restaurant facility, instead there is a small cafe. With three chiller cabinets in the cafe, unsurprisingly the small seating area in the makeshift lobby is freezing cold and noisy. The rooms are dated and in need of refurbishment, the linen too felt very worn and in need of replacing. The beds are small. There were 2 small bottles of water in the room but it is not complimentary, it is $7 a bottle. There is a coffee machine but only cheap paper cups with it. In its current state, apart from its location, there is nothing else to recommend it in my opinion.

More like a Fairfield Inn than a Renaissance I was looking forward to a Renaissance stay, but what we checked into what could best be described as a Fairfield Inn. In fairness, the hotel is undergoing renovation, but (1) that is no excuse, and (2) guest expectations could be tempered by notifying them of such at time of booking. The renovations have reduced the hotel entry to a single-wide door, an absence of doormen, entering into a dark hallway, and being greeted in that hallway with a giant sign announcing the Fire Command Center. Renovations notwithstanding, I'm not sure how this hotel carries the Renaissance brand. The room was exceedingly small such that when the room door was opened, it was about 2' away from the edge of the bed. Our bathroom door did not close because it was out-of-square, the bathroom sink was bar-size approx 14" wide, and there was a 4"x4" hole in the bottom of the sink that someone had tried to glue back into place with clear caulk. Facilities aside, the service provided by the staff did lean in the direction of what one should expect from Renaissance. Jose and Josephine at the front desk are friendly and efficient. The other staff we dealt with during our stay were also amiable, although they tended to be more casual than one might expect (not sure if this is the locale or the renovation, but it's definitely noticeable if you're familiar with Renaissance). Overall, I'd rate the hotel a solid 'meh', and we'll choose a different property on our next NY visit.

Missing #RCMemories, Disappointed in NYC My niece and I had a lovely New York experience in March at the Baccarat, and our go to hotels from the Marriott brand is RC. So when my nephew wanted to come for his birthday and the other for graduation but wanted to be right in Times Square, I jumped at the opportunity to provide them a memorable experience. Context: As a current Gold bonvoy member who’s been platinum many times in the past but now only Gold because I married a lifetime titanium member - I’m a bit disgusted. The way Jose Ortiz, Josephine and xxx made me feel when asking basic questions really made for a negative experience. They were some of the most unhelpful, unknowledgeable Marriott employees I’ve ever experienced. I’m one who normally gives grace, but I have and this is my review AFTER giving grace. I may take this further with some contacts we have at Marriott, but I’m going to process the experience for a few more days and then make a decision. Where do I start: 1. The entrance smells horrible, like it’s really really bad. I’ve been to NYC a lot so I get “smells”, but this should not occur at the entrance of a hotel. 2. There was no notice the lounge was closed for remodel during booking. I’ll give grace there because a quick review check would’ve uncovered that. Although that’s not my duty it’s the hotels, but I’ll own my busy work and family schedule didn’t allow me time to deep dive reviews. 3. The water rises in the tub for one of the rooms. The other bathroom was fine, but even this happening in one is just unacceptable from a sanitary perspective. No offer to move rooms or compensate/reduce the price is crazy. Did New York not go through COVID-19? 4. Hotel room doors don’t shut all the way and from a security perspective especially with teenagers that concerned me and kept my nerves on high alert double and triple checking. 5. Towel quality in the workout room was horrible. Some were shredded. The only thing I can say good is my family didn’t make a big deal even though they’re not accustomed to staying in places like this and that Omar was a gem. A true gem to the establishment. His pleasant demeanor, resourcefulness and energy at least put a smile on our faces. Renaissance brand carries weight. We last stayed at a Renaissance in Paris for last year’s Olympics. This Renaissance doesn’t feel like a Marriott and was not worth the cost for the experience and service provided. Last but not least it’s “bare” not “bear”…

Wish I would have known…. I wish I would have known….I just returned from a 3 night stay at the hotel. I will also preface by saying that I’ve stayed in this hotel property on two other occasions, but it has been years. I’ll start with the pros: the location can’t be beat. You are three steps away from the “steps” in Times Square. Anything you want to do in Manhattan is within blocks and easily accessible on foot. The cons: the hotel needs a complete renovation. The rooms haven’t been touched in at least eight years. I picked up a towel in the bathroom and it was so thin it had a hole in it. The lighting in the room is subpar and it’s just old. The hotel has some of their common areas under construction, which meant that there weren’t enough elevators for the amount of people staying at the hotel. There were long lines every time we tried to get on an elevator. The elevator from the ground floor to the lobby had no AC and there were a multitude of times where individuals in that elevator suffered. The room prices would denote that this hotel is more luxury than it actually is. I’m going to have to assume the prices I paid are simply because of location. Just be aware.

Exceptional Location and Staff at Renaissance Times Square If you are looking for a hotel in New York City, The Renaissance Hotel in Times Square simply can't be beat for location. You are steps away from Broadway, and the hotel is within easy walking distance to all the major Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, and the iconic red steps of TKTS, a must-stop for those who love getting great theater seats at a discount. The hotel staff is exceptional, Joy and Gina at guest services are absolute gems, welcoming and knowledgeable. The housekeeping team is just as impressive — responsive, efficient, and always ready with a smile. Whether you're a first-timer in the city or a regular visitor to NYC, the Renaissance Hotel Times Square offers comfort, convenience, and location. Highly recommend for theater goers, city explorers or shoppers. If you are coming by Amtrak, the Renaissance is just a quick taxi ride from Moynahan Train Station, making arrivals and departures wonderfully easy. And if you are on a cruise out of NYC, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is just a few miles away, making it a fabulous overnight stop pre- or post-cruise. Outstanding choice for visitors to the city.