Courtyard by Marriott Times Square West

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into the Courtyard by Marriott Times Square West, I wasn’t expecting much from what looked like just another corporate hotel. But you know what? This place actually surprised me, and I mean that in the best way possible.

The location on West 37th Street puts you right in Hell’s Kitchen, which honestly is one of my favorite parts of New York these days. You’re close enough to Times Square that you can walk there in about five minutes (though why you’d want to spend much time in that tourist chaos is beyond me), but far enough away that you can actually sleep at night without hearing street performers at 2 AM. The three-star rating might make you think it’s pretty basic, but the rooms are surprisingly modern and well-designed – I mean, they’ve clearly put some thought into maximizing the space without making it feel cramped. The beds are actually comfortable too, which isn’t always a given in Manhattan hotels.

What I really appreciated was how the staff seemed to get that most guests are either business travelers trying to get work done or tourists who need real advice about getting around the city. The front desk folks knew their stuff about subway routes and could tell you which restaurants nearby were worth your time versus the tourist traps. Speaking of food, you’re literally surrounded by some fantastic Hell’s Kitchen spots – 9th Avenue is just a couple blocks west and it’s basically a food lover’s paradise. The hotel’s own restaurant is decent enough for a quick breakfast, but honestly, with all the incredible options right outside your door, I’d skip it and explore. One thing to keep in mind is that this area can get pretty busy during evening rush hour since you’re near Port Authority, but it settles down nicely after about 8 PM. Parking is going to cost you (this is Manhattan, after all), but there’s a garage nearby if you’re crazy enough to drive here. The subway access is really convenient though – you’ve got the N, Q, R, S, and 7 trains at Times Square, plus the A, C, and E at Port Authority, so getting anywhere in the city is pretty straightforward. I stayed here during a particularly hot summer week, and the AC worked like a dream, which trust me, matters more than you might think when you’re dealing with New York humidity and all that walking around.