Pod Times Square Bar
As someone who owns a hotel review site, I have had the chance to stay in some amazing luxury properties around the world. While the Pod Times Square isn’t on that list, it is a well-rated budget property in a convenient Midtown Manhattan, New York City location.
The Pod Hotels bill themselves as “Shamelessly Affordable”. It’s a step up from a hostel, but with some of the same vibe. It isn’t fancy, but I would stay there again.
Location
The single biggest strength of Pod Times Square is its location. The hotel sits on West 42nd Street, just steps from Times Square and a block from New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal. From the front door, I could walk east to the theater district in minutes or head west toward Hudson Yards without feeling boxed in by crowds.
Transportation access is excellent. Multiple subway lines converge within a short walk, including Times Square–42nd Street, which connects you to most of Manhattan and beyond. Whether I was heading uptown, downtown, or over to Brooklyn, I rarely needed more than one train. Penn Station is also within walking distance or a one-stop ride on the C line, making this an easy choice if you are arriving by Amtrak or NJ Transit.
I was attending a conference at the Javits Center, and this is one of the closest hotels to that facility.
Public Spaces
The lobby at Pod Times Square is not on street level. You take a short elevator ride up to the 3th-floor lobby. The lobby itself has little in it, but there is a bar and a colorful communal space just off the lobby that opens up to an outdoor deck suitable for warmer-weather stays.
- Get a Car Rental
- Save money on the must-see sites with a Go City: New York pass
- Buy Travel Insurance
Room Features
Pod Times Square is upfront about its compact rooms and that transparency matters. I have stayed in one of their smaller rooms in the Pod hotel in Brooklyn, which has single bunk beds. For this stay, I upgraded to a room with a double bed, a desk, and a flat-screen TV.
My room was small, but it was thoughtfully designed. The bed was comfortable, though a bit soft at the edges. Storage is minimal, but clever, with hooks, shelves, and under-bed space that help keep things organized.
The room includes air conditioning, which is not something to take for granted in New York. Climate control was responsive and quiet. Wi-Fi was fast enough to get work done, although a tad sluggish.
The TV in my room only seemed to get one news channel, but it had a nice feature that you could plug an HDMI cable into an outlet near the bed to play shows from your personal devices. I only wish I had brought my HDMI cable.
The bathroom was not particularly small. The shower had good water pressure and consistent temperature. Everything felt clean and well-maintained. The soap, shampoo, and conditioner are all Pod Hotel-branded. There was a motion sensor to turn on the lights at night when you walked into the bathroom.
If you need an iron and an ironing board or a hot water kettle, you can get them from the front desk.
Special Features
One thing that reminds me of a hostel is the set of free walking tours advertised in the lobby, with different tours on different days of the week. With one day at leisure before my conference, I would have taken them up on a walking tour except it was January, freezing, and the tour on Wednesday was Central Park.
The hotel charges $25 per night for small dogs (under 25 pounds). You must advise the hotel in advance of your stay.
Food and Dining
The bar off the lobby has a happy hour, including small bites as well as coffee and some food for purchase in the morning. There is no included breakfast like you would find at the nearby Yotel or Hyatt Place.
Facilities and Amenities
This is not a hotel packed with amenities, and that is by design. There is no pool or spa. Luggage storage is available, which is especially helpful on departure day.
Housekeeping was consistent, and staff interactions throughout the stay were friendly and straightforward. The overall operation felt well run, which goes a long way in a city where hotel experiences can sometimes feel rushed.
Things Nearby
Staying at Pod Times Square puts a wide range of attractions within easy reach. Broadway theaters are close enough that you can walk back after a show. Times Square itself is right there, for better or worse, and easy to dip into without committing to staying.
Hudson Yards, the High Line, and the theater district all sit within walking distance. I also found it easy to reach neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen for dining, which offered a welcome contrast to the busier streets nearby.
Final Thoughts
Rates for the Pod Times Square start at a little over $100 in the off-season.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
Pod Times Square succeeds by knowing exactly who it is for. This is a hotel for travelers who value location, efficiency, and thoughtful design over excess space. It is especially well-suited to solo travelers, couples, and anyone visiting the city with a full itinerary.
If your plan involves seeing shows, walking neighborhoods, and spending most of your time out in the city, Pod Times Square is a smart, confident choice that supports that style of travel without pretending to be something else.
