Marriott bills EDITION as a luxury hotel. Is it a deliberate departure from traditional luxury for a different generation?
The Hotel
Located at 20 Times Square, it arrived in 2019 as a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott. What you are buying here is style and a very specific atmosphere, far removed from the elegance of somewhere like The Carlyle. It sits within the global Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I usePropeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The First Impression — 7/10
The address, as the name suggests, is central to Times Square—a place loved by many and purposefully avoided by others. For those who choose it, the welcome begins immediately. At street level, a friendly bellhop holds an unassuming black door, and from there, a lift whisks you from the street’s chaos to a hushed reception above the fray.
Having left the noise of Manhattan behind, you recognise the style instantly. The atmosphere is calm, the design a deliberate theatre of white walls and black floors that sets the scene for a different kind of stay. The check-in is efficient and without ceremony; staff are ready to assist, and my Marriott Bonvoy loyalty was acknowledged. Room preferences had been used to allocate a room, though it came with a connecting door, a personal dislike. A quick word and the issue was resolved impressively fast.
You won’t find a welcome drink here, and no one will escort you to the lifts or your room. It’s a quick, professional welcome, but it feels right for the brand. This is a hotel that values efficiency and style over any sort of grand ceremony.
The Vibe & Who are You Likely to See There?
This is not the place for quiet anonymity; it’s for those who want to feel the energy of the city while still having a stylish place to retreat.
If your idea of luxury is an immersive social scene and the opportunity to earn and spend points at a central address, this is precisely it. If it’s more about a traditional, personal service, you might find it a bit cold.
The EDITION guest is a younger, more social clientele for whom luxury is a question of atmosphere, not formality. They are the sort of people who appreciate good design and a perfectly curated playlist.
Guests here treat the hotel like a spectacle, blurring the lines between business and pleasure. It is a mix of corporate and premium leisure guests there to see and be seen, for whom luxury is being at the centre of the action rather than a chance to disappear.
The Rooms 6 /10
Having left the lobby’s grand expanse, you are immediately brought back to the reality of Manhattan real estate. Rooms here are small. The bed is the clear centerpiece, well-presented with a throw artfully scattered across it in a way that is fashionable, if not terribly practical.
A generous, open-plan bathroom with its separate shower and toilet enclosures takes up the majority of the entry space. It is a striking design choice, though it offers little in the way of privacy if you’re sharing the room. Complete with EDITION-branded Le Labo products, this leaves just enough room for the bed, a single chair, and a wardrobe whose hanging space is limited by the inclusion of a Nespresso machine and minibar. A clothes steamer stands in for the usual iron and board. If space is a priority, a suite is likely a much better option.
The view is similarly honest, offering glimpses of Times Square framed by the neighbouring buildings. The size of the room isn’t necessarily a deal breaker here. You’ll find plenty of reasons not to spend too much time in it, anyway. Just be prepared; this is compact living.
In the room, you’ll find bottled water and good coffee alongside a decent Bluetooth speaker—the kind of basic modern amenities you’d expect. The lighting is well-thought-out, too. With simple, straightforward controls, it allows you to transform the mood of the space, showing how the hotel’s design ethic makes the most of the limited footprint.
The Facilities 7 /10
The facilities at the Times Square EDITION are a direct reflection of its brand ethos: style and socialising over sprawling amenities. This is a place to be at the heart of the city, not a resort to retreat from it. As such, you’ll find no spa, no pool, and no grand wellness centre.
Instead, the focus is on a curated set of spaces designed for a different kind of luxury. There are several distinctive bars and restaurants, including the acclaimed 701West and the high-production nightlife venue, Paradise Club. The 24-hour gym is modern and well-equipped for a standard workout, and it is here that you find the most impressive and telling amenity: an outdoor wellness deck with views of Times Square. It’s a place to sweat with a view, not to relax by a pool.
The Service 9 /10
The service here is a cool, efficient affair—a refreshing contrast to the city’s usual brusque manner. It is a deliberate departure from the gushing, over-the-top hospitality found in traditional luxury hotels. The staff were unfailingly friendly, and my stay was not without a few small hitches—a room with a connecting door, a request for different pillows—but any issue was handled with quiet confidence. It is a service for a modern traveller who values efficiency and quiet confidence over formality and pomp.
The Dining 8/10
My only experience of dining here was limited to a light breakfast in the lobby bar. The menu was simple, but the standard was good, and the service maintained its polished efficiency even early in the morning. The quiet setting offered a genuine sense of calm before the start of a busy day in Manhattan, which is, in its own way, a luxury. As for the cost, prices are certainly high, as they are for most things at this level in New York, but nothing that would surprise a seasoned visitor.
The Attention To Detail — 6/10
Design is the principal form of attention to detail at the Times Square EDITION. The property has clearly been curated to be an achingly cool place to spend time, and it just about ticks all the fundamental boxes to qualify as a luxury hotel, from the attentive service and designer furnishings to the high-end toiletries. It is enough to make you feel as though you are somewhere special, without ever blowing you away with a sense of ceremony. The one glaring miss, however, was the visibly worn furnishings in the lobby bar—a lapse in attention to detail unfortunately reinforced by the long human hair found on the bed. For a brand so conscious of its image, this kind of oversight is a rare but noticeable failing.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? That depends on what you are looking for. The hotel trades the spaciousness and quiet of classic luxury for a prime address and a vibrant social scene. Given its more competitive pricing, it is a compelling choice for a traveller who defines luxury not by old-world hospitality, but by location, a curated atmosphere, and a seamless experience.
Stay Here for A stylish and efficient retreat that offers a much-needed sense of calm in the very heart of Manhattan’s chaos.
Don’t Stay Here if your idea of luxury is defined by a spacious, private room, a bespoke service, and a quiet, resort-like atmosphere.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Luxury Reviews Says 7/10
Marriott bills EDITION as a luxury hotel. Is it a deliberate departure from traditional luxury for a different generation?
The Hotel
Located at 20 Times Square, it arrived in 2019 as a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott. What you are buying here is style and a very specific atmosphere, far removed from the elegance of somewhere like The Carlyle. It sits within the global Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I usePropeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The First Impression — 7/10
The address, as the name suggests, is central to Times Square—a place loved by many and purposefully avoided by others. For those who choose it, the welcome begins immediately. At street level, a friendly bellhop holds an unassuming black door, and from there, a lift whisks you from the street’s chaos to a hushed reception above the fray.
Having left the noise of Manhattan behind, you recognise the style instantly. The atmosphere is calm, the design a deliberate theatre of white walls and black floors that sets the scene for a different kind of stay. The check-in is efficient and without ceremony; staff are ready to assist, and my Marriott Bonvoy loyalty was acknowledged. Room preferences had been used to allocate a room, though it came with a connecting door, a personal dislike. A quick word and the issue was resolved impressively fast.
You won’t find a welcome drink here, and no one will escort you to the lifts or your room. It’s a quick, professional welcome, but it feels right for the brand. This is a hotel that values efficiency and style over any sort of grand ceremony.
The Vibe & Who are You Likely to See There?
This is not the place for quiet anonymity; it’s for those who want to feel the energy of the city while still having a stylish place to retreat.
If your idea of luxury is an immersive social scene and the opportunity to earn and spend points at a central address, this is precisely it. If it’s more about a traditional, personal service, you might find it a bit cold.
The EDITION guest is a younger, more social clientele for whom luxury is a question of atmosphere, not formality. They are the sort of people who appreciate good design and a perfectly curated playlist.
Guests here treat the hotel like a spectacle, blurring the lines between business and pleasure. It is a mix of corporate and premium leisure guests there to see and be seen, for whom luxury is being at the centre of the action rather than a chance to disappear.
The Rooms 6 /10
Having left the lobby’s grand expanse, you are immediately brought back to the reality of Manhattan real estate. Rooms here are small. The bed is the clear centerpiece, well-presented with a throw artfully scattered across it in a way that is fashionable, if not terribly practical.
A generous, open-plan bathroom with its separate shower and toilet enclosures takes up the majority of the entry space. It is a striking design choice, though it offers little in the way of privacy if you’re sharing the room. Complete with EDITION-branded Le Labo products, this leaves just enough room for the bed, a single chair, and a wardrobe whose hanging space is limited by the inclusion of a Nespresso machine and minibar. A clothes steamer stands in for the usual iron and board. If space is a priority, a suite is likely a much better option.
The view is similarly honest, offering glimpses of Times Square framed by the neighbouring buildings. The size of the room isn’t necessarily a deal breaker here. You’ll find plenty of reasons not to spend too much time in it, anyway. Just be prepared; this is compact living.
In the room, you’ll find bottled water and good coffee alongside a decent Bluetooth speaker—the kind of basic modern amenities you’d expect. The lighting is well-thought-out, too. With simple, straightforward controls, it allows you to transform the mood of the space, showing how the hotel’s design ethic makes the most of the limited footprint.
The Facilities 7 /10
The facilities at the Times Square EDITION are a direct reflection of its brand ethos: style and socialising over sprawling amenities. This is a place to be at the heart of the city, not a resort to retreat from it. As such, you’ll find no spa, no pool, and no grand wellness centre.
Instead, the focus is on a curated set of spaces designed for a different kind of luxury. There are several distinctive bars and restaurants, including the acclaimed 701West and the high-production nightlife venue, Paradise Club. The 24-hour gym is modern and well-equipped for a standard workout, and it is here that you find the most impressive and telling amenity: an outdoor wellness deck with views of Times Square. It’s a place to sweat with a view, not to relax by a pool.
The Service 9 /10
The service here is a cool, efficient affair—a refreshing contrast to the city’s usual brusque manner. It is a deliberate departure from the gushing, over-the-top hospitality found in traditional luxury hotels. The staff were unfailingly friendly, and my stay was not without a few small hitches—a room with a connecting door, a request for different pillows—but any issue was handled with quiet confidence. It is a service for a modern traveller who values efficiency and quiet confidence over formality and pomp.
The Dining 8/10
My only experience of dining here was limited to a light breakfast in the lobby bar. The menu was simple, but the standard was good, and the service maintained its polished efficiency even early in the morning. The quiet setting offered a genuine sense of calm before the start of a busy day in Manhattan, which is, in its own way, a luxury. As for the cost, prices are certainly high, as they are for most things at this level in New York, but nothing that would surprise a seasoned visitor.
The Attention To Detail — 6/10
Design is the principal form of attention to detail at the Times Square EDITION. The property has clearly been curated to be an achingly cool place to spend time, and it just about ticks all the fundamental boxes to qualify as a luxury hotel, from the attentive service and designer furnishings to the high-end toiletries. It is enough to make you feel as though you are somewhere special, without ever blowing you away with a sense of ceremony. The one glaring miss, however, was the visibly worn furnishings in the lobby bar—a lapse in attention to detail unfortunately reinforced by the long human hair found on the bed. For a brand so conscious of its image, this kind of oversight is a rare but noticeable failing.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? That depends on what you are looking for. The hotel trades the spaciousness and quiet of classic luxury for a prime address and a vibrant social scene. Given its more competitive pricing, it is a compelling choice for a traveller who defines luxury not by old-world hospitality, but by location, a curated atmosphere, and a seamless experience.
Stay Here for A stylish and efficient retreat that offers a much-needed sense of calm in the very heart of Manhattan’s chaos.
Don’t Stay Here if your idea of luxury is defined by a spacious, private room, a bespoke service, and a quiet, resort-like atmosphere.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Luxury Reviews Says 7/10
Marriott bills EDITION as a luxury hotel. Is it a deliberate departure from traditional luxury for a different generation?
The Hotel
Located at 20 Times Square, it arrived in 2019 as a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott. What you are buying here is style and a very specific atmosphere, far removed from the elegance of somewhere like The Carlyle. It sits within the global Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I usePropeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The First Impression — 7/10
The address, as the name suggests, is central to Times Square—a place loved by many and purposefully avoided by others. For those who choose it, the welcome begins immediately. At street level, a friendly bellhop holds an unassuming black door, and from there, a lift whisks you from the street’s chaos to a hushed reception above the fray.
Having left the noise of Manhattan behind, you recognise the style instantly. The atmosphere is calm, the design a deliberate theatre of white walls and black floors that sets the scene for a different kind of stay. The check-in is efficient and without ceremony; staff are ready to assist, and my Marriott Bonvoy loyalty was acknowledged. Room preferences had been used to allocate a room, though it came with a connecting door, a personal dislike. A quick word and the issue was resolved impressively fast.
You won’t find a welcome drink here, and no one will escort you to the lifts or your room. It’s a quick, professional welcome, but it feels right for the brand. This is a hotel that values efficiency and style over any sort of grand ceremony.
The Vibe & Who are You Likely to See There?
This is not the place for quiet anonymity; it’s for those who want to feel the energy of the city while still having a stylish place to retreat.
If your idea of luxury is an immersive social scene and the opportunity to earn and spend points at a central address, this is precisely it. If it’s more about a traditional, personal service, you might find it a bit cold.
The EDITION guest is a younger, more social clientele for whom luxury is a question of atmosphere, not formality. They are the sort of people who appreciate good design and a perfectly curated playlist.
Guests here treat the hotel like a spectacle, blurring the lines between business and pleasure. It is a mix of corporate and premium leisure guests there to see and be seen, for whom luxury is being at the centre of the action rather than a chance to disappear.
The Rooms 6 /10
Having left the lobby’s grand expanse, you are immediately brought back to the reality of Manhattan real estate. Rooms here are small. The bed is the clear centerpiece, well-presented with a throw artfully scattered across it in a way that is fashionable, if not terribly practical.
A generous, open-plan bathroom with its separate shower and toilet enclosures takes up the majority of the entry space. It is a striking design choice, though it offers little in the way of privacy if you’re sharing the room. Complete with EDITION-branded Le Labo products, this leaves just enough room for the bed, a single chair, and a wardrobe whose hanging space is limited by the inclusion of a Nespresso machine and minibar. A clothes steamer stands in for the usual iron and board. If space is a priority, a suite is likely a much better option.
The view is similarly honest, offering glimpses of Times Square framed by the neighbouring buildings. The size of the room isn’t necessarily a deal breaker here. You’ll find plenty of reasons not to spend too much time in it, anyway. Just be prepared; this is compact living.
In the room, you’ll find bottled water and good coffee alongside a decent Bluetooth speaker—the kind of basic modern amenities you’d expect. The lighting is well-thought-out, too. With simple, straightforward controls, it allows you to transform the mood of the space, showing how the hotel’s design ethic makes the most of the limited footprint.
The Facilities 7 /10
The facilities at the Times Square EDITION are a direct reflection of its brand ethos: style and socialising over sprawling amenities. This is a place to be at the heart of the city, not a resort to retreat from it. As such, you’ll find no spa, no pool, and no grand wellness centre.
Instead, the focus is on a curated set of spaces designed for a different kind of luxury. There are several distinctive bars and restaurants, including the acclaimed 701West and the high-production nightlife venue, Paradise Club. The 24-hour gym is modern and well-equipped for a standard workout, and it is here that you find the most impressive and telling amenity: an outdoor wellness deck with views of Times Square. It’s a place to sweat with a view, not to relax by a pool.
The Service 9 /10
The service here is a cool, efficient affair—a refreshing contrast to the city’s usual brusque manner. It is a deliberate departure from the gushing, over-the-top hospitality found in traditional luxury hotels. The staff were unfailingly friendly, and my stay was not without a few small hitches—a room with a connecting door, a request for different pillows—but any issue was handled with quiet confidence. It is a service for a modern traveller who values efficiency and quiet confidence over formality and pomp.
The Dining 8/10
My only experience of dining here was limited to a light breakfast in the lobby bar. The menu was simple, but the standard was good, and the service maintained its polished efficiency even early in the morning. The quiet setting offered a genuine sense of calm before the start of a busy day in Manhattan, which is, in its own way, a luxury. As for the cost, prices are certainly high, as they are for most things at this level in New York, but nothing that would surprise a seasoned visitor.
The Attention To Detail — 6/10
Design is the principal form of attention to detail at the Times Square EDITION. The property has clearly been curated to be an achingly cool place to spend time, and it just about ticks all the fundamental boxes to qualify as a luxury hotel, from the attentive service and designer furnishings to the high-end toiletries. It is enough to make you feel as though you are somewhere special, without ever blowing you away with a sense of ceremony. The one glaring miss, however, was the visibly worn furnishings in the lobby bar—a lapse in attention to detail unfortunately reinforced by the long human hair found on the bed. For a brand so conscious of its image, this kind of oversight is a rare but noticeable failing.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? That depends on what you are looking for. The hotel trades the spaciousness and quiet of classic luxury for a prime address and a vibrant social scene. Given its more competitive pricing, it is a compelling choice for a traveller who defines luxury not by old-world hospitality, but by location, a curated atmosphere, and a seamless experience.
Stay Here for A stylish and efficient retreat that offers a much-needed sense of calm in the very heart of Manhattan’s chaos.
Don’t Stay Here if your idea of luxury is defined by a spacious, private room, a bespoke service, and a quiet, resort-like atmosphere.
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