Pod Times Square Review: Budget NYC Hotel, Prime Location

Recommended Hotels in New York

Pod Times Square

Text/Photos by @Chaeng

As I was planning my New York trip and researching hotels,

the biggest concern I had was the accommodation cost! 😭

Everyone knows that staying near Times Square is ideal,

but the problem is the unbelievably, ridiculously high prices....

If you want to be out from morning till enjoying the night views,

traveling all the way to accommodation in New Jersey or Queens can be tough.

That's when I discovered Pod Times Square!

Pod Times Square in Midtown is just two blocks from the heart of Times Square,

meaning you can walk there in just 5 minutes!

It's a transportation hub, conveniently located near a bus terminal for trips to nearby areas like Boston,

and subway lines A, C, E, N, Q, 1, 2, 3, and 7 are all close by.

This makes it incredibly easy to get to major Manhattan attractions and even the airport!

When exploring New York, you often find yourself moving between many different spots in a single day,

so excellent transport accessibility was super important for me.

✅Plus, it offers fantastic value for money, which made it my top choice!

1. New York Hotel Prices

New York's cost of living is already high, and with the dollar being strong,

Times Square hotel prices were even more expensive than I could have imagined.

On dates when other hotels start from the ~$292 range per night,

Pod Times Square was only ~$131!

During the peak season when I visited, other Times Square accommodations were in the ~$584 range,

while Pod Times Square was around ~$292.

It offered incredible value for its prime location!

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2. Hotels Near Times Square

Even though I booked it at an affordable price,

there was honestly nothing I disliked during my stay.

It's a New York hotel I highly recommend for solo travelers or trips with friends!

If you're not looking for a honeymoon destination or a super "aesthetic" stay,

then for a small, practical hotel with an unbeatable location,

Pod offers unparalleled value for money!

What I loved most was its location—just a 5-minute walk to Times Square—

and the incredibly convenient public transportation!

While walking around Times Square, I even had foreigners ask to take photos with me when they heard I was Korean! 🥹

It's the perfect location to soak up the New York street vibe late into the night

and then safely head straight back to your room!

The Lion King musical, the Empire State Building, all sorts of New York observation decks—everything is close by.

I even cycled around Central Park!

It was truly a satisfying place to stay… ♥️

3. Pod Times Square

Location: 400 W 42nd St

Near Port Authority Bus Terminal

As expected for accommodation near Times Square, the entrance isn't down an alley but located right on a main street.

From the building's entrance, you take the elevator up to the hotel lobby to check in, and then...

You can reach your room directly via the guest elevator.

Check-in is at 3 PM, and check-out is at 1 PM.

Luggage storage is available for free on the day of check-in or check-out.

With a 1 PM check-out, you'll have plenty of time to plan your itinerary on your last day,

and early check-in or late check-out may also be possible, depending on room availability.

What makes this accommodation highly recommended, especially when traveling solo or with friends,

is the free joint tours offered daily, with different tours each day.

You can explore major tourist attractions like Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge,

Central Park, SoHo, and Chinatown with other travelers on walking tours.

It's safer than going alone, and you can even take photos for each other,

so if it's your first time in New York, I highly recommend adding a joint tour to your itinerary.

Inside the hotel, you'll find an "In the Sky Terrace Bar" which also serves as a restaurant lounge.

4. Guest Rooms

Pod Times Square is a 3-star hotel. While it might be smaller than typical New York hotels,

it's a compact accommodation designed for efficient use of space.

If you're using the hotel mainly as a place to sleep and rest

after exploring New York all day,

then the advantage is that you don't need to pay a high price for a spacious room.

I stayed in a Bunk Pod room, which features bunk beds.

Depending on the dates, double beds or twin beds might sometimes be cheaper than bunk beds,

so it's a good idea to book according to your reservation status and travel companions.

My travel companion used the bottom bunk, while I used the top bunk.

Both bunks have chargers and individual TVs, which made our stay very comfortable.

With a toilet, shower, and sink all within the room, Pod Hotel was even better than a Korean guesthouse!

Each day, two fresh bath towels and two face towels were provided,

and a hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were all standard amenities.

There were hangers on the wall for clothes,

and a dedicated spot to hang up luggage.

Though small, this accommodation cleverly utilized its compact space,

allowing me to comfortably enjoy my week-long New York trip without any major inconveniences😊

💗 This New York hotel is highly recommended for... 💗

✔️ Those looking for a hotel with excellent accessibility to tourist attractions

✔️ Travelers who want to stay near Times Square but also

save on accommodation costs

✔️ Anyone who prefers to spend their travel budget on amazing food, shopping, and tours

rather than just the hotel itself

✔️ Those traveling solo or as a duo

✔️ If you're keen to try a join-in tour (group tour)

If you're looking to enjoy a hotel in an amazing location in New York with unbeatable value for money,

and want to save your remaining budget for experiences,

then Pod Times Square comes with my highest recommendation!

I paid for this stay myself and have absolutely no regrets😊

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