Pod Times Square — smart pods in a central location
If you spend little time in the room, sightsee all day, and want a central location at an accessible price, Pod Times Square is built for you. The compact pods use every inch smartly — clean and modern — with a Times Square-view rooftop bar. From around $165, it's the cheapest hotel type in this location class.
It's on 42nd Street on the west side of Times Square, next to Hell's Kitchen — a district of varied, tasty, well-priced restaurants. The 42 St–Port Authority station (A/C/E) is a 3-minute walk and Times Sq–42 St is 8 minutes. Hell's Kitchen is where locals actually eat, cheaper than mid-Times Square, with easy walks to Broadway. This location works for budget travellers who still want to be central.
"The room really is small but everything's well designed — comfy bed, clean bathroom. This price in this location is very hard to find."
The Pod concept is small but smart — every inch is used: a bed (Queen or Bunk) with under-bed storage, a fold-down desk, a flat-screen TV and USB charging, plus a compact en-suite bathroom that's clean. The design is modern and minimal with free Wi-Fi. Honestly, rooms are clearly smaller than typical hotels (about 9-11 sqm), but if you're just coming back to sleep, they're enough and comfier than you'd expect.
The strengths are the common space and rooftop — Pod has The Crown rooftop bar with gorgeous Times Square and skyline views, a popular unwind spot, plus a lobby and seating to get you out of the small room. The concept is to live outside the room and only sleep in it.
Honestly, the clear limit is room size — with big bags or more than two people it gets very tight, Bunk Bed rooms suit friends more than couples, and the cheapest rooms may have no window or face a wall. Read the room details before booking. If you want space or high privacy, this isn't it.
On value, Pod Times Square is one of the best deals for a Midtown location. $165 in an area where typical hotels start at $250+. It suits solo travellers, budget couples and friends sharing a Bunk room. If you prioritise sightseeing over your room, it leaves lots of money for the city.
Bottom line: Pod Times Square suits people who understand they're trading space for price and location. If you're out all day, a small room is no problem, and you want central on a budget — go for it, great value. If you want a spacious room with storage, look elsewhere.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Small but smartly designed, clean rooms
- ✓ Midtown location, walk to Broadway
- ✓ Lovely Times Square-view rooftop bar
- ✓ Best value in this location class
- ! Very small rooms, not for big luggage
- ! Some rooms have no window/face a wall
- ✓ Accessible price in a central location
- ✓ Hell's Kitchen has tasty, well-priced food
- ✓ Clean modern design
- ✓ Great for solo travellers and sharing friends
- ! Bunk rooms aren't great for couples
- ! Very little storage space
- 💡If you have big bags — 9-11 sqm rooms get tight · Fix → book a Queen Pod (bigger than Bunk) or a roomier hotel
- 💡If you're a couple — Bunk rooms suit friends more · Fix → choose a Queen Pod with one larger bed
- 💡If you want a window/view — the cheapest rooms may not have one · Honestly, read room details and request a window at booking
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