The Moxy NYC Times Square from Marriott International Inc. - compact rooms, big-city buzz at a sharp nightly rate

Reviewed: ad hoc news Software & Services desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-25, 19:24. Details in the imprint.

In the Moxy NYC Times Square lobby from Marriott International Inc., a guest drags a suitcase over the concrete floor while a DJ track hums softly above the clack of foosball. Rooms are tight, the neon is bright, and the nightly rate undercuts many classic Midtown hotels.

What defines this Moxy

The Moxy NYC Times Square opened in 2017 in a converted office building with 612 rooms aimed squarely at younger, budget-conscious travelers who still want a Manhattan address near Times Square. The hotel belongs to Marriott's Moxy brand, positioned as a playful, select-service concept with compact rooms, strong public spaces and relatively approachable prices compared with many full-service properties in the area. The official Moxy NYC Times Square page outlines the concept and key features.

Individual rooms feel more like cleverly organized cabins than traditional hotel suites, with pegboard walls for hanging clothes, fold-down desks and wall-mounted TVs to keep the limited floor area open. Many guests report that you can cross the room in four steps, but the essentials - a decent mattress, a hot shower and reliable Wi-Fi - are in place, even if storage and unpacking space are clearly limited.

Design, vibe and everyday use

Inside, designer Yabu Pushelberg used raw materials, exposed ceilings and colorful lighting to create an industrial yet tidy feel, while public areas like the lobby and bar double as co-working zones during the day. At night, the mood shifts: music gets louder, and the rooftop bar Magic Hour turns into a social magnet, with views toward the Empire State Building and Times Square billboards glowing in the distance. An Architectural Digest feature on the Moxy NYC Times Square highlights the design choices and the rooftop bar focus.

Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott, has described lifestyle brands like Moxy as central to winning younger travelers who care more about atmosphere and location than about traditional luxury markers. That ambition comes through in the details: you check in at the bar, not behind a wooden front desk, and the first thing you might hold is not a key card but a welcome cocktail, which sets the tone immediately.

Strengths and annoyances

Daily life in the hotel is dominated by self-service and digital tools: mobile check-in, keyless room entry and quick food options from the lobby instead of a classic restaurant. For many city travelers, this is practical; you grab a coffee in a paper cup, tap your phone at the elevator and are on 31st Street within minutes. But some guests miss quieter corners and more traditional service touches, especially during busy times when the lobby doubles as a bar, co-working space and waiting zone for check-in.

Bathrooms are compact, with sliding doors and open shelving rather than heavy cabinetry. The water pressure in the showers is generally strong enough to wash away a day in Midtown, but privacy is limited when two people share a room, which fits with the brand's light-hearted, social positioning rather than with a classic business-hotel format.

Pricing, location and competition

The Moxy NYC Times Square typically sits in the upper-midscale segment, with rates often below established full-service properties in the area, though prices swing significantly with season and citywide demand. Its location on West 36th Street, a short walk from Penn Station and Times Square, gives it strong transport links for both domestic and international guests who arrive by train or from the city's airports. Marriott's official overview for Moxy NYC Times Square lists current room categories, amenities and typical rate bands.

Against competitors like citizenM Times Square and Pod Times Square, the Moxy leans heavily on its nightlife and rooftop concept as a differentiator, along with the backing of Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty program. For Bonvoy members, the ability to earn and redeem points at a centrally located, comparatively affordable Manhattan property is a strong draw and can tilt booking decisions in Moxy's favor.

Where Marriott shares come in

For Marriott, the Moxy NYC Times Square is one visible example of how more lifestyle-oriented, compact-room concepts can deliver higher revenue per square foot than older hotel formats. The mix of lower room sizes, high bar revenue and strong occupancy potential in a high-traffic location aligns with management's strategy for asset-light growth and fee-based income. Marriott International Inc. shares (ISIN US5719032022) are listed on the Nasdaq in New York and reflect investor expectations for how brands like Moxy, Courtyard and Ritz-Carlton together shape the group's long-term earnings power.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.