I’ve stayed at The Times Square EDITION every year since it opened in 2019—always for New Year’s Eve, plus a few days before and after—typically in one of the family/terrace suites with additional rooms for family and friends. It’s become a genuine tradition for me, and overall I keep coming back for one simple reason: the terraces overlooking Times Square are absolutely spectacular.



If you book a terrace facing the square, the balconies are impressive and genuinely special—especially on NYE. You can see the stages and soak up the energy of Times Square from a private perch. (Worth noting: the balcony angle doesn’t give you a view of the ball drop, but for me the stage views and the atmosphere still make it a uniquely memorable experience.)



Another reason the hotel feels truly “luxury” is the people. Many staff members have been here since opening, and that continuity shows. It’s rare to find a team that consistently makes you feel recognized and welcomed year after year—and in my case, several staff remember me by name. Jerome on the bell staff deserves a special shoutout: beyond handling bags and a few delivered packages, he went above and beyond in a practical way that mattered—helping us get a larger wardrobe rack. (The closets in the rooms are extremely small, which becomes a real issue when you’re staying multiple days with multiple people.)



That said, the experience isn’t perfect, and a few things feel out of step with the price point:

• In-room tea is oddly absent. There’s coffee, but no tea setup. On day one, Jerome proactively arranged tea with no charge (great service). On day two, when I requested tea again, I was charged $19.91, and they brought a different tea than I asked for. To the hotel’s credit, once I flagged it, they corrected it quickly and comped the room service charge—but the inconsistency was frustrating.
• Room service is underwhelming compared to the on-property restaurant/bar. The restaurant and bar menu is much more extensive, while the in-room dining menu felt lackluster. I also found it annoying that they wouldn’t allow off-menu ordering for room service. The one workaround: the bar did allow me to carry an oyster platter up to my room, which I appreciated (even if it’s a slightly funny workaround at a luxury hotel).
• No welcome amenity—ever. This one stands out. Despite being Marriott Ambassador Elite, a repeat guest since opening, and someone who routinely books the expensive terrace suites plus additional rooms, I have never received a welcome amenity. For a hotel in this category, that’s unusual.
• Elite happy hour may be gone. The hotel used to offer an elite happy hour, but I don’t believe they’re still doing it.
• Room condition is showing wear. For a relatively new property, the rooms feel a bit rough around the edges: noticeable scuffing on floors and cracks in sink fixtures—small details, but they add up when you’re paying top-tier rates.
• Gym hydration setup is strange. The gym doesn’t offer bottled water, though it does have a multi-option spigot (still, sparkling, chilled, and hot). Functional, sure—but it’s an odd mismatch for the luxury positioning.

On the positive side, the hotel does get some details very right. I love the in-room floral arrangements—my room had a beautiful orchid—and those small touches help elevate the stay.



Final thought: I fully intend to stay again (clearly—I’ve made this my NYE home base). The terraces and the best members of the staff are what make the EDITION feel special. But for anyone booking a standard, non-suite room: be aware that you’re paying luxury prices for a space that can feel Moxy-sized, and there are other hotels at this price point that offer more room.