I stayed in a Times Square hotel — good, bad, or totally worth it?

The hotel opened less than four years ago and feels very modern (Picture: Hilton Hotels)

There are cheaper ways to see Manhattan than waking up above Times Square with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around your bed, but probably none as memorable.

After years of seeing hypnotic skyline shots of Manhattan flood my TikTok feed, I was finally given the chance to experience it in person at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square.

In a city where hotel rooms are famously compact and nightly rates infamously expensive, the question wasn’t whether the hotel looked good online.

It was whether the whole thing was actually worth it.

I was put up in a King Corner Suite, which felt less like a hotel room and more like sitting inside a giant cinematic screensaver.

It felt a bit like sleeping on a movie set (Picture: Jack Vasey)

Neon billboards flash below, yellow taxis stream endlessly through Midtown, and the city seems to glow through the glass.

The hotel sits firmly in the category of ‘special occasion’ stays.

The kind people book for birthdays, anniversaries or one-off weekend they’ve convinced themselves they deserve.

Even outside peak tourist season, the room can cost thousands for only a few nights, but it’s one of those rare views that genuinely make the stay.

The biggest surprise was how quiet the room felt.

Despite sitting above one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world, the soundproofing was so excellent that it created the perfect setting for a classic New York pizza and a nighttime movie on the room’s 70-inch TV.

Million (billion?) dollar views (Picture: Hilton Hotels)

Early in the morning, before the crowds fully form below, Times Square almost feels calm.

Steam rises from the street, delivery trucks crawl through intersections and the giant screens are still flashing, but the energy hasn’t fully arrived.

That was the moment the hotel made the most sense. Because that’s really what you’re paying for here: not just the room itself, but the feeling of briefly slipping into a fantasy version of New York.

You walk downstairs and immediately land in the middle of it all.

You’re opposite the Friends themed Central Perk Cafe, the Times Square steps, and Broadway theatres are moments away.

Subway stations are directly across the road, and every major Manhattan attraction is accessible within minutes.

Whether you love the chaos of Midtown or find it slightly overwhelming, there is no denying how easy the location makes a New York trip.

One thing that elevated the stay was the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Highball, which felt more polished than your standard tourist hotel bar.

The cocktails were pricey at around $20+ (this is New York, after all) but worth it for the views and happy hour was a welcome touch.

The hotel’s coffee spot, New York Bakery Café was the perfect place to grab a strong iced latte (albeit $8), but this, paired with a fresh croissant or bagel before disappearing into Manhattan for the day was hard to beat.

If breakfast isn’t your thing, Highball serves an all-day menu from 11:30am to 10:30pm, with dishes ranging from $21 flatbreads and $25 homemade meatballs to a $46 New York stripsteak.

Have a seat at Highball (Picture: Hilton Hotels)

There are also lighter options, including fresh salads, truffle fries and salmon dishes starting from $40.

The standout for me was the French Dip Roast Beef Sandwich.

At $28, it’s more than I’d usually spend on a sandwich, but the combination of tender roast beef, garlic butter, onion jam and melted cheese, all served in a freshly baked baguette, made it worth the splurge.

The Tempo by Hilton delivers exactly what most first-time Manhattan visitors hope for: jaw-dropping views, sleek modern interiors, unbeatable location, and a stay that lives in your memory long after checkout.

For the dream New York escape packed with energy, atmosphere, and that unmistakably cinematic feel, the King Corner Suite does, genuinely, live up to the hype.

There is a Bluetooth mirror in the bathroom, which connects to your phone so you can play music (Picture: Hilton Hotels)

Of course, that level of luxury comes at a price.

Rates hover around £581 per night, a figure that briefly made me consider sleeping in Central Park instead.

Still, for a few unforgettable days above the city that never sleeps, and a once in a lifetime experience, it might just be justified.

Thankfully, Hilton gave me a very generous discount.

The smaller, slightly more affordable rooms start from £437 per night, while the top-end Queen Bedroom Suite can climb to an eye-watering £1,996.

That said, it does sleep four, making it a more realistic choice for groups or families wanting a luxury Times Square base.

This hotel makes for the perfect romantic getaway or a special occasion.

If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, planning to spend very little time in the room, or you’ve already done the whole Times Square experience before, of course you’ll find better value elsewhere in Manhattan.

Still, for a short indulgent city break where you want to fully lean into the fantasy of New York?

It’s very hard not to love.

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