When we got on the glass elevators at the Marriott Marquis, Johnny would announce where we were going. It was normally the opposite. He knew we were going down, and he demanded that we go up. Classic toddler.
We stayed at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square for five nights, Friday to Wednesday, during our 3.5 days in New York City with a toddler, with my wife Colleen and our son Johnny, who was 2.5. We do not count Tuesday in the 3.5 days, since I was at a conference all day and Colleen was visiting family in New Jersey. I am a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum member. This Marriott Marquis Times Square review covers the room, the upgrade, the location, and breakfast in the M Club.
Is the Marriott Marquis in Times Square Good With a Toddler?
Yes. It was a nice hotel and a cool hotel, and we had no issues at all. The room was clean, everything worked, housekeeping did a great job, and the location was ideal.
The one thing I would change is the room I picked with my upgrade awards. More on that below.
Where Is the Marriott Marquis?
The New York Marriott Marquis is at 1535 Broadway, right in Times Square. The location was absolutely great. We walked to Junior's for our first dinner, then to Top of the Rock, and the Disney Store in Times Square was right there too.
The hotel lobby is on the 8th floor, not on the street. You take an elevator up from the ground floor to check in.
How Do the Elevators at the Marriott Marquis Work?
You pick your floor before you get on. You enter your floor at the elevator bank; it tells you which elevator to take, and that elevator takes you to the right floor.
We never noticeably waited for an elevator, and it was never a problem. The glass elevators run up the inside of a huge atrium, and Johnny loved riding them up and down.
What Room Did We Get at the Marriott Marquis?
A Premier, Larger Guest Room with one king, a sofa bed, and a corner location, through an upgrade. We booked a standard guest room with one king bed and a sofa bed on request. I used five of my Nightly Upgrade Awards, one for each night, and the upgrade cleared before we checked in, which was nice.
The room was definitely large, especially by New York standards. There was a living room area in front of the bed. We asked for a pack and play, and they brought it up. There was room for everything, including our travel stroller.
The downsides were the layout, the view, and the floor. It was all one room. The view was not good, and we were on the 10th floor, only two floors above the lobby, in a hotel that goes up past the 40th floor. The revolving restaurant, The View, is up on the 47th and 48th floors.
Did the Marriott Marquis Do Anything Special for Our Toddler?
Yes, and it was a surprise and delight moment. When we came back to the room on our second night, the hotel had left a note that said, "A little quack for your little one. Enjoy your day."
With the note were two cute little rubber duckies, one pink and one purple, both Marriott Marquis branded. Johnny played with them every night during his bath.
Was the Nightly Upgrade Award Worth It?
Not for this room. With Nightly Upgrade Awards, you select every room type you would accept, and the system can upgrade you to any of them. I checked this one, and if I could do it again, I would not have.
Even though it is a bigger room, there are probably better options in this hotel. If you are using upgrade awards at the Marriott Marquis, look closely at each room type before you check the box.
How Much Did the Marriott Marquis Cost?
Our room rate ranged from $509 to $783 a night, depending on the night. On top of that, the hotel charged a $45 destination fee every night, plus tax on that fee. The fee came with a $40 daily credit that we could use on food and room service in the hotel. It did not cover the retail shop. Unused credit does not carry over to the next day, according to a 2026 Travelogue review, so use it each day. Budget for the fee when you compare hotels in Times Square.
What Is the M Club at the Marriott Marquis?
The M Club is the hotel's club lounge, on the same 8th floor as the lobby. Marriott calls it Manhattan's first M Club and the largest on the East Coast. Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members get in free with one guest, according to the hotel's Marriott page, and non-members can buy daily access, according to the official M Club page.
Breakfast was included for us every morning as part of my Platinum status. The welcome gift was points, which was the only option.
What Is the M Club Breakfast Like?
It is a buffet, and the food quality was impressive. We went two mornings, Saturday and Monday, and we just did normal breakfast things: eggs, potatoes, bacon, French toast, and sausage.
Both days, I tried to make a breakfast sandwich. The first day was on regular bread, and the second day was on a bagel. I kind of always do that.
They had little packets of Nutella, so on the second day we let Johnny dip his breakfast in Nutella, which was fun.
Beyond what we ate, the hotel describes it as a full American breakfast buffet, and one review lists items like scrambled eggs, an egg white frittata, breakfast potatoes, sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, fruit, yogurt, cereal, bread, and pastries. I do not usually get omelets, so I am not sure whether there was an omelet station.
When Is Breakfast at the M Club, and How Busy Is It?
The M Club breakfast buffet is served daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., according to Marriott. Both mornings we went, it was very, very busy.
Saturday was busier, but we were also there earlier in the morning. On Monday, we got there around 9:00 to 9:15 a.m., for the last 15 to 30 minutes of service.
Would We Stay at the Marriott Marquis Again?
Maybe. It depends on the trip and whether we want to be in Times Square or somewhere else in New York. If we are going to Times Square, there is a strong possibility we would pick it again.
Next time, I would do a little more due diligence on the room types to see whether there is a room that works better with a toddler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Marriott Marquis good for families?
It was for us. We stayed with our 2.5-year-old; the room had space for a pack and play and a travel stroller, and the location in Times Square was ideal.
What floor is the lobby at the Marriott Marquis?
The lobby is on the 8th floor. You take an elevator up from street level to check in.
Does the Marriott Marquis have a club lounge?
Yes. The M Club is on the 8th floor. Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members get free access with one guest, and other guests can buy daily access.
What time is breakfast at the M Club at the Marriott Marquis?
The M Club breakfast buffet is served daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
How much is the destination fee at the Marriott Marquis?
We were charged a $45 destination fee per night, plus tax on the fee. It came with a $40 daily credit for food and room service in the hotel.
Does the Marriott Marquis have cribs?
Yes, they have pack and plays. We asked for one, and the hotel brought it to our room.
Final Thoughts
The Marriott Marquis was a great base for New York City with a toddler. The location was ideal, the M Club breakfast was impressive, and Johnny loved the glass elevators. Just be pickier than I was about which room types you check when you use upgrade awards.
