LUMA Hotel Times Square

Some tourists come to New York for the food, some for the fashion, others for the nightlife. But if your NYC trip itinerary is littered with planned visits to the Great White Way, the LUMA Hotel Times Square is the boutique hotel for your Broadway-loving heart. Conveniently located in midtown near Times Square and Bryant Park, it’s just a ticket stub’s throw from the glittering playhouses of the city’s Theater District and that love for the stage is felt throughout the property and its amenities. 

The LUMA has its own “Broadway Concierge” on hand: Guests can book a 30-minute consultation with theater aficionado Laura Heywood, who will curate the personalized show selection and offer expert guidance to the world of plays and musicals. The specialty package also includes a three-course pre-theater dinner at AperiBar by Charlie Palmer—the “Italianesque” restaurant and cocktail bar located right off the lobby, which occasionally hosts its own live programming like drag bingo—as well as a 20-percent ticket discount for Roundabout Theatre Company, home to popular productions like The Rocky Horror Show, Fallen Angels, and upcoming works like The Imaginary Invalid. 

But even if you don’t know your Frankenfurter from your Fanny Price, the LUMA Hotel is a solid midtown option for any Manhattan visitor: The 130-room lodging has all of the usual creature comforts you want, with rooms thoughtfully appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, calmingly neutral color schemes and plush Frette linens. But the place also boasts a sleek minimalism, a warm and lively atmosphere and fun, tech-savvy amenities (if you forgot a razor or want an extra bath towel, a cute robot will take the elevator up to your guestroom to hand-deliver it to you directly) that makes it feel slightly more dynamic than the generic hotels that line nearby streets. 

Neighborhood

Though located centrally in Times Square, the LUMA Hotel feels graciously removed from the heavy chaos of the bustling midtown area. Sure, it’s easy enough to mosey over to tourist faves like the Museum of Broadway and Madame Toussaud’s but if you want to escape the noise, the hotel’s advanced window insulation and a low room density layout ensure a quiet respite from the busy streets below. 

Nearby

1. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: For a sky-high spectacle filled with interactive art
2. Bryant Park: For a well-cultivated green retreat, plus a dizzying schedule of free entertainment (outdoor movies, summertime yoga).  
3. The View: For sweeping 360-degree views inside New York’s only revolving restaurant

Time Out tip

You can tack on a private, customized tour of the surrounding neighborhood, where a passionate and knowledgeable guide will regale you with insider stories and unknown lore about the theaters and skyscrapers we’ve all been speedwalking past whilst dodging Elmo and the Naked Cowboy.