The clue is in the name, but voco Times Square South New York is perched in an optimum Midtown location. Around six blocks away from the eponymous, billboard-filled junction, this place offers a brilliant middle ground between being close to the action but not in the midst of it completely.
Cool neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen and the Garment District close by, Penn and Moynihan Stations aren’t too far away, and neither is the Theatre District, Hudson Yards or the High Line. Can you tell we’re crazy about the location?
This IHG property, under the voco brand, doesn’t do flashy or over-the-top. Instead, it gives off a laid-back, contemporary vibe of natural finishes with the occasional bold accent. The hotel has a sleek glass facade and metal awning over its entrance, where you’ll enter into the lobby to the pulsing rhythm of a high-energy playlist and overhead lighting reminiscent of a theater marquee.
In the far right corner, past the concierge desk, there’s an inviting cocktail bar where you can grab a drink or dinner and perch at the countertop. It’s linked to the hotel’s Finches Den Restaurant & Outdoor Patio, but across the way is where you’ll find various seating options for guests grabbing a bite to eat or working on their laptop. Along with work pods and tables and chairs with a flatscreen TV, an impressive lounge resembles a home living room with couches, a large TV set and bookcases for chilling after a day out.
Head onto the back outdoor courtyard where a vibrant green and flowery wall, patio deck furniture and neon sign affirmations blaring ‘Good Vibes Only’ and ‘This Is Where the Magic Happens’, which all make for cute and silly photo op.
Why stay at voco Times Square South New York?
This hotel’s location is by far its biggest draw, with top-tier proximity to Times Square, without all the chaos being immediately on your doorstep. Madison Square Garden, Broadway and the Empire State Building are all within a 15-minute walk of voco Times Square South New York, as are two of Manhattan’s most vital train stations.
At the concierge desk, book daily airport transportation to JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark from early morning up until early evening. The reception staff are friendly and helpful, and upon arrival I was given a voucher for a free welcome drink and a packaged cookie. Every little helps, right?
As for the more practical stuff, there’s a luggage storage room and a business center near the reception desk. A 24/7 grab and go station contains a self-serve coffee machine and many drinks, snacks and prepared foods, so if you’re rising early to pack in some sightseeing, it’ll save you from stopping into 7-Eleven.
What are the rooms like at voco Times Square South New York?
The 224 guestrooms range from Standard and Double Rooms and Full or Double Premium City Room Views, all of which come with plush bedding and spa-style showers. Opt for one of the higher-end options, and you’ll get a steam shower thrown in.
My king bed with a city view room was about a standard size for what’s found in New York (neat, but compact), but it had the all-important views of glassy high-rises for as far as I could see.
It’s easy to get comfy here—I had made myself a coffee from the in-room Keurig, and there are plenty of wall outlets and charging points, which is handy if you’re here for work or travelling with other people.
The garment rack and framed mirror are glamorous little touches for getting ready to go out, and the room’s soft neutral wall colors compliment the framed furnishings, and give it a surprisingly serene feel.
Which are the things to eat and drink at voco Times Square South New York?
You’re obviously in pretty prime dining out territory right in the centre of Manhattan, but the hotel’s Finches Den Restaurant is a solid place for breakfast or dinner.
The fare is modern American with a small but satisfying breakfast selection, and at the later dining service, you can opt for shareables, mains and handhelds. For dinner, I had their Fried Chicken Sando with fries, but my eyes popped when I saw an order of a huge slice of the New York Cheesecake with strawberry, blueberry and caramel sauces pass by me.
As for recommendations from the staff, the Pat La Frieda Cheeseburger or the Impossible Burger both sounded like proper lip-snacker options, too.
A daily happy hour makes for great pregaming with cocktails or mocktails before heading out into Manhattan for the evening. Try the coma-inducing welcome drink: it’s a pinkish mixture of vodka, strawberry syrup and lime juice topped with Sprite, appropriately dubbed The Flamingo.
If you prefer to venture out, Ground Central Coffee Company on 7th Avenue is a music-centered cafe that gets high marks for caffeine pick me ups. Keens Steakhouse is an Old New York institution with wood paneling and an overhead churchwarden pipe collection whose member owners included Theodore Roosevelt and Babe Ruth.
Hudson Yards, the bougie new neighhorhood, also brags a shedload of places to eat out. a high-end luxury residential and retail neighborhood, houses many prime dining spots. Eataly Caffè, an offshoot of this Italian mega-market, is the latest addition, but you should also stop by Mercado Little Spain by Chef José Andrés, with a market hall setup for tapas and other Spanish dishes; Chef Eyal Shani’s Miznon, a popular Mediterranean enclave; or In Common NYC, a breakfast and brunch cafe.
What is the service like at voco Times Square South New York?
The staff at the registration and concierge desks were efficient, cordial and helpful, and my interactions with the F&B staff were also enjoyable—I had a charming bartender for the evening who was fun and entertaining. The hotel also has a resort fee that includes a $10 dine-in only dinner credit and the complimentary specialty drink from the bar—it’s a nice little perk.
What is the gym like at voco Times Square South New York?
On the lower level, there’s a small 24/7 fitness center with a Peloton and various free weights and exercise equipment. I had to come back a bit to get on a free bike or a treadmill as it got busy in the morning and evening so I ended up waiting until another user finished their time—you might be better off walking around and using the city as your workout.
What’s the area like around voco Times Square South New York?
You might find more hustle and bustle on the streets during the workweek—and then staffers out for breakfast and lunch and post-work libations—but the hotel’s location is a good stepping off point for heading in any direction. You’re not far from the activity either. Adjacent to Penn Station, Madison Square Garden can draw in crowds for major performers and fans for New York Knicks and New York Rangers games. Penn’s Moynihan Train Hall is where Amtrak operates and holds a high-end food court.
For shopping, Hudson Yards is full of luxe labels but you must also head to the iconic Macy’s in Herald Square—in NYC, it would be rude not to. Theater lovers should see The Drama Book Shop, which is partly owned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, before heading up to Broadway for some last-minute tickets.
Why should you book a stay at voco Times Square South?
The voco Times Square South New York offers a convenient location in Midtown where you’re not far from Times Square, Penn Station or even Bryant Park but you can also easily unwind for the evening. Visiting NYC is gloriously busy, but you’ll be able to take a beat if you stay here. Its lounge and courtyard make for key spots for catching up on emails while having a drink or sitting and waiting for your ride service, and the rooms are simple but serve their purpose well and for a reasonable Midtown price.
DETAILS
Address: 343 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Price per night: from $180, though rates vary seasonally
Closest transport: Via subway, A,C,E at 34th St.-Penn Station stop. Via MTA bus, M20 and M34A-SBS stops at 8th Avenue and W 37th Street or M11 at 9th Avenue and W 35 Street
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