Finding a place to crash in Manhattan is basically a nightmare of trade-offs. You either pay four hundred bucks for a room the size of a walk-in closet or you end up in a "charming" walk-up three miles from the nearest subway. If you're looking at Staybridge Suites New York - Times Square, you're probably trying to avoid both of those extremes. It's a weirdly specific spot. It isn't a boutique hotel with $25 cocktails, but it also isn't a budget motel. It occupies that middle ground of "extended stay," which, honestly, is the smartest way to do NYC if you actually want to breathe.
Most people see the "Times Square" branding and assume they’ll be stepping over Elmo every time they go for a bagel. Not quite. This property sits on West 40th Street. It’s close enough to the neon chaos to be convenient, but far enough toward the Port Authority side that you can actually hear your own thoughts.
The Space Reality at Staybridge Suites New York
New York hotel rooms are notoriously tiny. I'm talking "hitting your shins on the bed frame while trying to open your suitcase" tiny. The Staybridge Suites New York - Times Square breaks that rule because it’s designed for people who live there for a week or more. You get a kitchen. A real one.
We aren't talking about a dusty microwave on top of a minibar. You have a full-sized fridge, a cooktop, and a dishwasher. If you’ve ever spent $18 on a mediocre deli sandwich because you didn't have anywhere to keep groceries, you know how much of a game-changer this is. Having a kitchen in Midtown is basically a superpower. You can hit up the Whole Foods at Bryant Park, stock the fridge, and suddenly your trip costs 30% less.
The rooms are vertical. It’s a slim building. Because of that, the floor plans are a bit unusual compared to a sprawling suburban hotel. The studio suites feel like actual apartments. The furniture is heavy-duty—think dark woods and thick fabrics that can handle the high turnover of a tourist hub. It’s functional. It’s not "Instagrammable" in the sense of neon signs and velvet ropes, but it’s clean and the Wi-Fi actually works. That matters more when you're trying to send emails at 11:00 PM.
Why the 40th Street Location is Actually Good
People love to hate on the Port Authority area. Sure, it’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s got that specific New York "energy" that involves a lot of sirens and steam rising from the pavement. But the Staybridge Suites New York sits in a strategic pocket. You are literally a three-minute walk from almost every major subway line at Times Square-42nd St station.
- You have the N, Q, R, W for going to Soho or Brooklyn.
- The 1, 2, 3 for the West Side.
- The 7 train if you want to grab authentic Thai food in Queens.
Being that connected is worth the noise. And honestly? The windows do a decent job of muffling the street. You might hear the occasional rogue honk from a yellow cab, but you won't feel like you're sleeping on the sidewalk.
The Perks (And the Trade-offs)
Let’s talk about the "Social Hour." Staybridge does this thing where they serve light food and drinks (usually beer and wine) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. In a city where a glass of wine is $16, "free" is a beautiful word. It’s a bit of a communal vibe. You’ll see business travelers on laptops and families with tired kids all hovering around the buffet. It’s not fine dining. Think sliders, salad, maybe some pasta. But it's a solid way to decompress before heading out to a Broadway show.
Then there's the breakfast. It is included. Is it a Michelin-star brunch? No. It’s scrambled eggs, sausage, cereal, and those DIY waffle makers that everyone seems to love. It gets crowded. If you go at 8:30 AM, be prepared to hunt for a table like a hawk.
One thing to watch out for: The elevators. This is a tall, skinny building with over 30 floors. During peak checkout times, the wait for an elevator can be "I'm going to miss my flight" long. Plan ahead. Seriously. Give yourself an extra ten minutes just for the vertical commute.
Is the Fitness Center Legit?
Most Manhattan hotel gyms are a treadmill in a basement. The one at Staybridge is actually decent for what it is. It's in the lower level, so don't expect views of the Empire State Building while you're on the elliptical. But it has free weights and modern machines. If you're a gym rat, it’ll do the job. If you prefer running outside, you’re about a 15-minute jog from the Hudson River Greenway, which is infinitely better than any treadmill anyway.
Breaking Down the Cost
Prices at Staybridge Suites New York fluctuate wildly. During the UN General Assembly or New Year's Eve, the rates are astronomical. But during the "shoulder" seasons—think late January or early May—you can snag a suite for a price that makes the Hilton or Marriott look like a rip-off.
You have to factor in the lack of hidden fees. A lot of Midtown hotels have started tacking on "Resort Fees" or "Urban Destination Fees" that add $40 a night for "amenities" you never use. Staybridge is generally more transparent. You get the breakfast, the Wi-Fi, and the social hour included in the base rate. When you're budgeting for a New York trip, those "small" savings add up to a few hundred bucks over a week.
The Pet Policy
Believe it or not, this place is pet-friendly. It’s rare for a high-rise in Midtown. There is a fee, usually around $75 for a short stay or $150 for a longer one, but compared to boarding a dog, it’s a steal. Just remember that walking a dog in Times Square is an Olympic sport. You’ll be navigating crowds, but Bryant Park is close enough for a bit of greenery.
Survival Tips for Your Stay
If you decide to book, there are a few things that will make your life easier.
First, ask for a high floor. The street noise drops off significantly once you get above the 20th floor. Plus, the views start getting interesting. You might catch a glimpse of the New York Times building or the tops of the skyscrapers toward Hudson Yards.
Second, use the laundry facilities. They have guest laundry on-site. If you’re traveling light to avoid checked bag fees on the airline, being able to wash a load of socks and shirts halfway through the trip is huge.
Third, don't buy water at the hotel. There’s a Duane Reade (the NYC version of Walgreens) just around the corner. Go there, buy a gallon of water and some snacks, and use that full-sized fridge in your room.
The Reality Check
Is it perfect? No. The lobby is small. The decor is a bit corporate. If you want the "glamour" of the Waldorf Astoria, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you want a place where you can actually unpack your bags, cook a grilled cheese at midnight, and walk to 15 different subway lines, this is it.
💡 You might also like: The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Las Vegas - E Tropicana: A Honest Look at Staying Near the Strip
The Staybridge Suites New York - Times Square is for the practical traveler. It’s for the person who wants to spend their money on Broadway tickets and expensive dinners rather than a room they only use for sleeping. It’s a workhorse of a hotel.
Moving Toward Your Trip
Before you pull the trigger on a booking, check the direct IHG website against the big travel aggregators. Sometimes the "Member Rate" is significantly lower, and it’s free to join. Also, double-check the dates for the mid-week social hour, as those can sometimes shift based on holidays.
If you’re staying longer than five nights, call the hotel directly. Often, they have "extended stay" rates that aren't advertised on the main search results. It never hurts to ask, and in a city as expensive as New York, every saved dollar is a dollar you can spend on a better seat at Hamilton or a bigger steak at Keens.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your itinerary: If you are staying more than 3 days, calculate the "food savings" of having a kitchen. Often, a slightly more expensive room at Staybridge pays for itself by eliminating three restaurant meals a day.
- Check the Elevator Peak: If you have a morning meeting, leave your room at least 15 minutes earlier than you think you need to.
- Locate the Grocery Stores: Mark the Bryant Park Whole Foods or the Food Emporium on your map before you arrive so you aren't wandering 8th Avenue looking for milk at midnight.
- Verify the Social Hour: Call the front desk at (212) 239-1202 a few days before arrival to confirm which nights the manager’s reception is happening so you can plan your dinner schedule around it.