So, you’re thinking about the Hyatt Centric Times Square. Honestly, "Times Square" is a bit of a loaded term. People either love the neon chaos or they want to run for the hills of the Upper West Side. But here is the thing about this specific property: it’s actually tucked on 45th Street, just enough of a breath away from the "Naked Cowboy" madness that you don't feel like you're living in a pinball machine.
It’s easy to get confused. There are roughly a million hotels in Midtown. You've got the Grand Hyatt (now being redeveloped), the Hyatt Place nearby, and then this one. The Hyatt Centric Times Square is the one you actually want if you care about views and a rooftop bar that doesn't feel like a tourist trap. It was formerly known as the Hyatt Times Square New York before the "Centric" branding took over to signal that lifestyle, boutique vibe. It’s tall. It’s thin. And the elevators are surprisingly fast, which matters when you’re on the 54th floor and starving.
Why the Location Isn't Actually a Nightmare
Everyone tells you to avoid staying in Times Square. They say it's too loud. They say the food is overpriced. They're mostly right, but the Hyatt Centric Times Square sits in a weirdly perfect pocket. You are literally steps from the Belasco Theatre and the Lyceum. If you’re a Broadway nerd, you can leave your room at 7:52 PM and be in your seat for an 8:00 PM curtain.
The hotel is positioned between 6th and 7th Avenues. That’s a massive distinction. Since it's on 45th, you aren't right on the "Bowtie" where the crowds are thickest. You get the convenience of the N, R, W, and 1, 2, 3 trains at 42nd Street without having to elbow a guy in a Spider-Man suit just to reach the front door.
The Bar 54 Factor
Let's talk about the rooftop. Bar 54 is the highest open-air hotel rooftop bar in Manhattan. That isn't just marketing fluff; the views are genuinely dizzying. You can see the Chrysler Building gleaming to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Most people make the mistake of thinking this is only for hotel guests. It’s not. But guests get priority, and in a city where a cocktail costs $24, you might as well have a short commute back to your bed.
The bubbles. In the winter, they put up these transparent "igloos." They’re controversial. Some locals find them tacky, but sitting in a heated plastic dome with a view of the Empire State Building while it's snowing? It’s kind of a vibe. You have to book these way in advance. Don't just show up and expect a seat.
Room Realities: Space vs. View
New York hotel rooms are notorious for being the size of a shoebox. Hyatt Centric Times Square manages to avoid the worst of this. The standard rooms are roughly 325 to 372 square feet. In Manhattan, that’s practically a palace.
The floor-to-ceiling windows are the real hero here. Because the building is a slender tower, many rooms have these massive panes of glass that make the city feel like a wallpaper. If you are a Hyatt Globalist or have some points to burn, aim for the "High Floor" categories. Anything above the 40th floor feels like you're floating.
- The Bathrooms: They use BeeKind products. Pretty standard for Centric.
- The Noise: This is the big question. Does it stay quiet? For the most part, yes. The hotel used heavy-duty acoustic glazing. You’ll still hear the occasional distant siren—it’s New York, not a monastery—but the white noise of the HVAC system usually drowns out the street level 45 stories below.
- The Fridge: There isn't a traditional "mini-bar" where a bag of nuts costs $15. Usually, they leave them empty for you to use, which is a huge win for those of us who just want to store some leftover pizza from Joe’s.
The Secret Food Strategy
The hotel’s internal dining has shifted over the years. T45 was the long-standing spot, often serving as a casual bistro. It’s fine. It’s convenient. But honestly? You’re in the middle of the greatest food city on earth.
Walk three blocks west to Hell’s Kitchen. Go to 9th Avenue. That’s where the locals eat. You’ll find Thai food that will blow your mind at Pure Thai Cookhouse or incredible Turkish at Akdeniz. Staying at the Hyatt Centric Times Square gives you the luxury of a 10-minute walk to 9th Avenue, where the prices drop and the quality skyrockets.
Practical Realities of the Hyatt Centric Times Square
Check-in is on the ground floor, but it’s a small lobby. It can get cramped at 3:00 PM. If you arrive early, they’re usually pretty cool about holding bags. The fitness center is in the basement—or the "lower level" as they call it. It’s fine. It has Pelotons. But honestly, if you’re walking 20,000 steps a day in NYC, you probably don't need the treadmill.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hyatt Points Here
This is a Category 6 or 7 property depending on the year and Hyatt’s seasonal adjustments. People often complain that the "Destination Fee" is a rip-off. It’s $35 to $40 a day. It usually includes a credit for food or drink and maybe some laundry perks. Is it a cash grab? Basically. But every major hotel in Midtown does it now. If you’re a Hyatt Globalist, they waive this fee. That’s the real "pro tip"—if you stay here on points, the value proposition is way higher because those pesky fees disappear.
The Broadway Proximity
If you are here for a show, use the 45th Street entrance of the Lyceum Theatre. It’s right there. You can literally see the stage door from some of the hotel's lower-floor windows. It's not uncommon to see actors grabbing a coffee nearby before a matinee.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
- Request a North-Facing Room: If you want to see the "lights" of Times Square without being blinded by them, North-facing rooms often give you a better slice of the skyline towards Central Park.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast: Walk a few blocks to Liberty Bagels or Best Bagels & Coffee. A hotel buffet is a hotel buffet, but a New York bagel is an experience.
- Use the Hyatt App: You can use your phone as a key here. The elevators can get busy, and being able to bypass the front desk entirely is a lifesaver during peak tourist season.
- Book Bar 54 Separately: Even if you're staying in the hotel, you aren't guaranteed a table at the rooftop. Make a reservation on OpenTable or through the hotel concierge at least two weeks out if you want a sunset slot.
- The Subway Shortcut: Instead of walking through the 42nd Street main entrance (which is a nightmare), use the entrance at 44th and 8th or the one near Bryant Park if you’re heading east.
Staying at the Hyatt Centric Times Square is about balancing the thrill of Midtown with the need for a high-end sanctuary. It's not the cheapest stay in the city, but for the square footage and the insane views from the upper floors, it’s one of the most logical picks for someone who wants to be in the center of it all without losing their mind.