If you’re heading to New York City and plan on spending a lot of time in bustling (aka chaotic) Times Square, you can’t get any closer to the action than Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square.
This contemporary high-rise opened in August 2023, and it’s the first of Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ new Tempo by Hilton properties to debut. Designed for the “ambitious, modern traveler,” the brand has 35 other hotels under development nationwide.
I spent a couple of nights at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square just a few weeks after its opening. A 5-minute walk to several Broadway theaters, the 661-room hotel was ideal for my solo trip that focused on seeing a couple of shows.
It’s also directly across the street from the TKTS booth (check it out for last-minute discount Broadway tickets) and its giant set of bleacher-like red stairs where thousands of tourists descend daily to snap selfies amid the iconic bright lights of the Big Apple.
Tempo by Hilton Times Square is part of the new TSX Broadway building that’s still under construction (as of September 2023). When I visited, an already crowded corner was made even more packed with scaffolding limiting sidewalk space.
About 400,000 people pass under the famous digital billboards daily, so if you’re game to a pulsing crowd — as well as dozens of street performers (including the infamous Naked Cowboy) — and simply embrace the pandemonium that is Times Square, this new Hilton property is a solid choice. Here’s the scoop.
Rooms at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
The hotel’s aptly named Sky Lobby isn’t on the ground floor; rather, upon arrival, guests immediately ascend via elevator to the 11th floor for check-in.
The elevators took some getting used to: Instead of entering and hitting a button to your floor, you make your pick from a digital pad outside the elevator, which will tell you which numbered elevator is meant for you (there are several that whisk guests quickly upstairs).
Thankfully, security guards and other employees are plentiful — and helpful — when guests stand in the hallway looking confused.
My king bedroom on the 36th floor had a partial view of Times Square and a spacious bathroom by Manhattan standards. The sleeping area itself wasn’t huge, though there was space for a comfy swivel chair in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows (with automated opaque curtains and blackout shades) as well as two nightstands. King rooms average 235 square feet.
A “Get Ready Zone” features a built-in luggage rack and area for hanging and storing clothes, as well as a desk and coffee area. One nifty modern feature is a Bluetooth speaker built into the well-lit bathroom mirror.
If you want to keep up your fitness or mindfulness routine during your New York City getaway, consider booking a Wellness Room outfitted with a Peloton spin bike, yoga mat, resistance bands, and Therabody Theragun Elite and Wave Roller. The hotel’s fitness center has a few Peloton bikes.
Suites allow for more room to spread out, and some have high-floor, corner locations for sweeping city views.
Dining at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
Highball is the on-site restaurant at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square. The venue offers counter service for breakfast and lunch, while happy hour and dinner are a sit-down affair with table service. There’s a full bar, whose offerings include “spirited” (alcoholic) and “unspirited” (equivalent non-alcoholic) options. Seating is lounge-style, and the dinner menu focuses on small and shareable plates, with a few entrees.
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Of the small plates, I absolutely loved the asparagus and edamame with truffle vinaigrette but found the chorizo and warm baguette lacking (the meat was unusually tough and not as flavorful as I’ve had elsewhere).
The restaurant’s outdoor terrace was still under construction when I visited.
Bottom Line
I found my stay at Tempo by Hilton Times Square comfortable and pleasant. My quiet, high-floor room with excellent light-blocking shades, was a lovely respite from the hectic tourist crowds on city streets below.
Room rates vary depending on the day of the week and demand. You can expect to pay at least $450 for a standard king room midweek. (Hiltons Honors Discounts or other discounts, such as AARP, might bring that figure down.) Holidays bring higher rates; if you want to spend the night in a room with a direct view of the world-famous Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, book early. Make your reservation directly on the Hilton website, or compare rates at a booking site such as Booking.com to see if you can score a better deal.
A “daily mandatory destination charge” of $34.95 is added to every room rate. It includes a daily $10 food and beverage credit for use in all hotel outlets (the grab-and-go “market” excluded), City Bike rentals for two, and a daily $25 parking credit. Valet parking is a whopping $85 per night. Dogs 50 lbs. and under are allowed with a $75 nonrefundable fee.
Review and photos by travel writer Kara Williams. She received a media rate at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square. As always, all opinions are her own.
