On a quiet corner of Hell’s Kitchen, Pod Times Square takes a simple approach to staying in Manhattan: keep the rooms compact, include the essentials and put guests within a few blocks of Times Square without paying for space they may barely use.
The trade-off is exactly what the name suggests — the standard Pod rooms are small. But for solo travelers, couples and budget-conscious visitors who plan to spend most of the day exploring New York, the location and efficient design can make a lot of sense.
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🗓 Quick Facts: Pod Times Square
| Category | Budget (micro-hotel) |
| Neighborhood | Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown West |
| Rooms | 665, queen and bunk-bed configurations, ~115 sq ft |
| Best For | Solo travelers, couples & short stays |
| On-site dining | Parm (Italian-American, Major Food Group) |
| Times Square | About a 600m/10-min walk |
🏨 The Rooms
Each of Pod Times Square’s 665 rooms is designed around roughly 115 square feet, with built-in storage engineered to make the most of every inch — Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms with showers, and free toiletries and a hairdryer, and soundproofed windows genuinely help block out the neon-fueled energy just outside. Despite the compact layout, standard Pods include a private bathroom with a rainfall shower — you’re not trading down to a shared-bathroom hostel setup just to save space.
Available room types:
Full Pod: Full bed; sleeps 2 but the hotel recommends it particularly for solo travelers.
Bunk Pod: Two twin bunk beds; useful for friends or two travelers who don’t want to share a bed.
Queen Pod: Queen bed; the better standard-Pod choice for couples.
Pod Pads: Apartment-style options with kitchens and living space for longer stays or travelers needing more room.
💡 Insider Tip: Standard Pod rooms are designed around efficiency rather than space. They work best for travelers who pack relatively light and plan to spend most of the day exploring NYC. If you want more room to unpack, relax or stay longer, look at the larger Pod Pad options instead.
🍽️ Bar 42, Terrace & Hotel Extras
Pod Times Square keeps its amenities fairly simple. Bar 42 & Terrace offers casual breakfast options and drinks, while free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
One of the more unusual perks is Pod Walks — free guided walking tours offered to hotel guests through Streetwise New York Tours, with routes covering different NYC neighborhoods.
The hotel also offers luggage storage, and guests driving into Manhattan can use a nearby garage rather than parking directly at the hotel.
💡 Insider Tip: The rooftop tiki bar is genuinely one of the better budget-hotel rooftop scenes in Midtown — worth an evening even if you’re not typically a rooftop-bar person.
🗺️ The Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen
The hotel sits at the corner of 42nd Street and 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, with Times Square about a 600-meter, 10-minute walk and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center similarly close. Restaurant Row is genuinely just around the corner, and the Theater District’s Broadway shows are a comfortable walk crosstown. Hell’s Kitchen itself is known for a diverse, international dining scene beyond the hotel’s own restaurant.
💡 Insider Tip: It’s a little more of a crosstown walk to Broadway shows than a Times Square-adjacent hotel, but reviewers consistently say it’s genuinely an easy one — worth the trade-off for the lower rate.
✅Who Should Stay at Pod Times Square?
Stay here if: You want to keep your Manhattan hotel costs down, care more about location than room size and expect to spend most of your trip exploring the city.
Think twice if: You’re traveling with lots of luggage, want a spacious traditional hotel room or plan to spend significant downtime relaxing in your room.
Best for: Solo travelers, couples, friends using the Bunk Pod, short NYC stays and budget-conscious sightseeing trips.
✅Is Pod Times Square Worth It?
Pod Times Square can be a smart choice if your priorities are location and price rather than room size.
You get a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi and a central Midtown West location within a few blocks of Times Square, while the compact-room concept helps keep the focus on the essentials.
The biggest compromise is space. If you’re planning to spend most of your trip sightseeing, that may not matter much. If you want a roomy hotel where you can unpack and relax, this probably isn’t the right fit.
❓ Pod Times Square FAQ
Are the rooms at Pod Times Square really small?
Yes. Compact rooms are the core of the Pod concept. They’re designed to provide the essentials in less space, making them better suited to travelers who prioritize location and price over having a large hotel room.
Do rooms at Pod Times Square have private bathrooms?
Yes. The standard Full, Bunk and Queen Pods have private bathrooms with rainfall showers.
Which Pod Times Square room is best for couples?
The Queen Pod is the most natural standard-room choice for most couples because it includes a queen bed. Travelers who need substantially more space can also look at the apartment-style Pod Pads.
Is Pod Times Square good for solo travelers?
Yes. The compact-room concept works particularly well for solo travelers, and the hotel specifically recommends its Full Pod as a good option for solo stays.
Is Pod Times Square good for families?
It depends on the room type and family size. Standard Pods generally sleep up to two guests, while some larger two-bedroom Pod Pads can accommodate up to four. Families should check the exact occupancy and layout before booking.
How close is Pod Times Square to Times Square?
The hotel is in Midtown West on West 42nd Street, a couple of blocks from the main Times Square area. That makes Broadway theaters and many Midtown attractions easy to reach on foot.
Does Pod Times Square have free Wi-Fi?
Yes. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi in the guest rooms and public areas.
Does Pod Times Square have parking?
There is no traditional on-site hotel parking. The hotel directs guests to a nearby garage on West 42nd Street, so check the current parking price and conditions if you’re driving into Manhattan.
Is Pod Times Square worth staying at?
It can be a very practical choice if you want a central Manhattan location and are willing to trade room size for a more streamlined stay. Travelers who need lots of space or want a full-service luxury experience will be better suited to another hotel.
Not sure Pod Times Square is right for you? Compare it with my luxury, mid-range and budget picks in New York City Hotels Compared: Luxury vs Mid-Range vs Boutique vs Budget.
Plan the Rest of Your New York Trip
Comparing Pod Times Square against NYC’s other top picks? Here’s everything else you need.
This post contains an affiliate link to Expedia. The Wandering Adventurer may earn a small commission if you book through our link, at no extra cost to you.
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