
Pod Times Square
Best for travelers who want compact, efficiently designed rooms and a rooftop dinner option steps from Broadway.
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Pod Times Square is a compact, design-forward Midtown hotel with pod-style rooms and a rooftop Italian restaurant; read this if you want an efficient, central base for theater and short city stays. Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square is a large, modern four-star property near Times Square; read this if you want full-service hotel amenities and a bigger-room footprint in the same neighborhood.
Updated · about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) apart

Best for travelers who want compact, efficiently designed rooms and a rooftop dinner option steps from Broadway.

Best for guests who prefer a larger, full-service hotel with many room options and a central Times Square location.
When Pod Times Square wins: choose Pod if you prioritize compact, thoughtfully designed rooms, a rooftop Italian restaurant (Serafina in the Sky), close theater access and lower-footprint, efficient stays.
When Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square wins: choose the Riu if you want a big four-star property with a large room inventory, buffet breakfast included, concierge services and more traditional hotel services.
Bottom line: both hotels put you within easy walking distance of Times Square and Broadway; pick Pod for a smaller, design-forward stay with rooftop dining and Pod-style rooms, or pick Riu Plaza for a larger, conventional four-star hotel experience and broader on-site services.
| Category | Pod Times Square | Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Compact, design-forward, efficient urban stay | Large, modern four-star hotel |
| Location (neighborhood) | Midtown West / Hell's Kitchen, about 0.4 mi to Times Square | |
| Size (rooms) | About 665 guestrooms across ~28 floors | 649 air-conditioned rooms |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 18 to check in | Welcomes guests of all ages; not adults-only |
| Pools | No pool on site | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Serafina in the Sky (rooftop Italian) and Bar 42 lobby bar | The Theater Buffet (restaurant) + 1 bar/cafe listed |
| Spa / wellness | No on-site spa; small fitness center (28th floor) | Not published |
| Fitness | Small on-site fitness center (28th floor) with cardio and weights | Wheelchair-accessible fitness center listed |
| Known for | Pod-style compact rooms and rooftop dining | Large centrally located four-star with free buffet breakfast |
| On-site parking | No on-site parking (nearby iPark garage) | Limited on-site parking; nearby parking options listed |
Pod Times Square sits on W 42nd Street in Midtown West, a short walk to Broadway and the Port Authority transport hub.
Pick Pod for the closest theater-district walking convenience and direct Port Authority access.
Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square is centrally located near Times Square and Rockefeller Center on W 46th Street.
Pick Riu Plaza if you want a large, central hotel with full-service front-desk support in Midtown.
Pod Times Square offers compact 'Pod' rooms with economy-focused layouts and a few larger Pod Pads for extended stays.
Pick Pod if you accept compact rooms in exchange for smart, efficient design and lower footprint.
Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square has a large mix of deluxe rooms, junior suites and presidential options.
Pick Riu Plaza if you want conventional, larger hotel rooms and a wider range of room categories.
Pod Times Square centers its dining on a high-floor rooftop Italian restaurant and a lobby bar.
Pick Pod for a rooftop dinner experience and a lively lobby bar close to your room.
Hotel Riu Plaza lists The Theater Buffet as a main on-site dining option plus a coffee shop/cafe and bar/lounge.
Pick Riu Plaza if a daily buffet breakfast and multiple on-site dining outlets matter to you.
Pod's defining amenity is its rooftop dining and terrace rather than pool or spa facilities.
Pick Pod if rooftop dining and a compact event room meet your needs rather than pool or spa offerings.
Hotel Riu Plaza emphasizes full-service hotel features and meeting/banquet facilities.
Pick Riu Plaza if you need banquet/meeting space and full-service hotel logistics.
Pod offers a small on-site fitness center and rooftop/lobby nightlife spots rather than a spa.
Pick Pod if you want a compact gym and rooftop/lobby social spots rather than full spa services.
Hotel Riu Plaza lists a wheelchair-accessible fitness center and 24-hour front-desk services for guest support.
Pick Riu Plaza if you prefer a conventional fitness setup and full-service front-desk operations.

Pod Times Square puts you steps from Broadway with compact rooms and lower-footprint rates.

Hotel Riu Plaza offers a larger hotel experience, buffet breakfast and more traditional room categories.

Pod's Serafina in the Sky provides rooftop Italian dinner service and alfresco seating.

Riu Plaza has banquet/meeting facilities and a large room inventory suited to group bookings.
Both are within easy walking distance of Broadway, but Pod Times Square advertises being steps from many theaters and places you very close to the theater district.
Hotel Riu Plaza lists many deluxe and suite categories (including Junior and Presidential suites); Pod's rooms are compact pods (around 119–130 sq ft) with some larger Pod Pads for extended stays.
Pod Times Square has no pool or spa on site. Hotel Riu Plaza's supplier facts do not publish pool or spa details.
Hotel Riu Plaza provides a complimentary buffet breakfast. Pod Times Square offers an on-the-go breakfast for a surcharge at Bar 42.
Explore how Pod Times Square stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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