Just because you’re staying in New York’s most notoriously over-the-top neighborhood doesn’t mean your hotel has to be as well. The Merrion Row Hotel and Public House’s low-rise building brings some welcome hospitality to the area.
Rooms are small, but an across-the-pond flair makes them feel cozily distinguished and never cramped. Though the internet speed knows no upper bounds, the same can’t be said of the lukewarm shower temperature, which hovered closer to “warm” than “hot.” That said, we still found the accommodations the perfect, cushy reprieve to sink into given the sensory overload of the area; even Midtown’s around-the-clock construction was reduced to a faint din inside a street-facing room (you may hear your neighbors if you’re in a connecting room, though).
On-site amenities are light, but if that’s what keeps the price competitive compared to other area hotels, we’ll gladly take that compromise. The Irish fare at the Public House may not be destination-worthy, but we’d rank it above other nearby options; it’s a huge comfort to be able to stay put and dig into a shepherd’s pie or a pub burger over a drink after a tired day of touring.
Neighborhood:
You’re smack dab in the middle of Times Square here, but being just a half-block east of 7th Avenue is enough to breathe a relative bit of calm into the location. That also puts you within a 10-minute walk of Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, as well as virtually every Broadway theater and a half-dozen different subway lines.
Nearby:
1. New York Public Library: For a living shrine to books in a palatial century-old setting
2. Jimmy’s Corner: For a slender dive bar decked out in boxing memorabilia
3. The Town Hall: For exceptional folk acts in a storied auditorium
Time Out tip:
Though the continental breakfast may be included in your stay, spend the extra few bucks on a savory, heartier meal like the avocado toast ($15). And don’t forget to redeem your welcome pint, best enjoyed in the lobby’s cozy front room.
