
Pod Times Square
Best for travelers who want a small, efficient room in Midtown close to Times Square and easy subway and bus access.
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Pod Times Square is a compact, design-forward Midtown hotel built for efficient, transit-friendly stays; read this if you want a budget-conscious base steps from Times Square and Port Authority. Lotte New York Palace is a large Midtown luxury hotel by St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Fifth Avenue; read this if you want landmark-scale rooms, a full spa, and classic Manhattan service.
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Best for travelers who want a small, efficient room in Midtown close to Times Square and easy subway and bus access.

Best for travelers who want landmark-scale rooms, a full-service spa, and formal hotel amenities near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center.
When Pod Times Square wins: choose Pod for short stays, solo travelers, or families who prioritize location near Times Square, quick transit access, and compact, lower-cost rooms with a lively rooftop restaurant.
When Lotte New York Palace wins: choose Lotte for a full-service luxury stay — larger rooms and suites, a full-service spa, banquet and meeting space, and traditional hotel services in a Midtown landmark close to Fifth Avenue.
Bottom line: Pod is a practical, value-focused Midtown option for efficient city stays; Lotte is a classic Midtown luxury hotel with more space, on-site services, and a different price/expectation profile.
| Category | Pod Times Square | Lotte New York Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Compact, design-forward, budget-conscious | Large, formal luxury landmark |
| Location | Midtown West, about 0.4 mi to Times Square; one block from Port Authority | Midtown Midtown East near St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center |
| Size (rooms) | About 665 guestrooms across ~28 floors | 909 guestrooms |
| Ages / guest policy | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 18+ | |
| Pools / beach | No pool or hot tub on site | Wheelchair-accessible pool on site |
| Restaurants & bars | Serafina in the Sky (rooftop Italian) and Bar 42 lobby bar; casual rooftop dining and drinks | Gold Room, on-site coffee shop/cafe, bar/lounge and room service (limited); formal dining options |
| Spa & wellness | No spa; small fitness center reported on 28th floor (confirm availability) | Full-service spa, health club and steam room |
| Accessibility | ADA-accessible Pod rooms and public-area accessibility features listed | Wheelchair-accessible rooms, pool, fitness center and public areas |
| Wi‑Fi & fees | Free Wi‑Fi included via mandatory facility fee (fee covers in-room internet and phone calls) | Wired/wireless internet available for a surcharge |
| Known for | Efficient, space-saving rooms and rooftop dining near Times Square | Landmark luxury hotel with large event spaces, spa, and TV-era name recognition |
Pod Times Square sits in Midtown West a short walk from Times Square and one block from Port Authority.
Choose Pod for the quickest access to Times Square, Port Authority buses, and Broadway.
Lotte New York Palace is positioned beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a short walk to Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue.
Choose Lotte for a classic Midtown location if you want proximity to Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
Pod offers compact, efficiently designed rooms (Pods) and larger apartment-style Pod Pads for longer stays.
Choose Pod if you’re comfortable in a small, cleverly designed room and prioritize location over large in-room space.
Lotte New York Palace offers many room categories and suites, including Signature and Palace suites.
Choose Lotte for much larger rooms and suite options if space and traditional luxury amenities matter.
Pod keeps dining simple: a rooftop Italian restaurant and a ground-floor lobby bar.
Choose Pod if you want casual rooftop dining and a lively lobby bar steps from your room.
Lotte provides multiple on-site outlets including Gold Room and a coffee shop/cafe, plus limited room service.
Choose Lotte for more traditional, full-service hotel dining and a formal on-site restaurant setup.
Pod’s signature public spaces are rooftop dining and a terrace rather than water or spa facilities.
Pod’s rooftop is the primary place to linger — it does not offer a pool or spa.
Lotte’s on-site spa, health club and pool are the hotel’s major wellness draws.
Choose Lotte if you want an on-site spa, pool and fuller wellness facilities.
Pod’s nightlife is informal and centered on the rooftop and lobby bar; wellness options are minimal on site.
Choose Pod for easy access to Midtown nightlife and casual hotel bars rather than in-house wellness.
Lotte provides in-house evening dining and bar options plus spa services that extend evening comfort.
Choose Lotte if you prefer on-site evening dining and spa treatments as part of your stay.

Pod Times Square — compact rooms and a transit-first location keep costs and transit time down.

Lotte New York Palace — large rooms, suites, full spa and formal services for travelers seeking a traditional luxury hotel.

Pod Times Square — Serafina in the Sky offers rooftop Italian dining and city views.

Lotte New York Palace — full-service spa, health club and a wheelchair-accessible pool listed in supplier amenities.
Pod Times Square is closer to the neon heart of Times Square and is about a 0.4-mile walk to the Broadway theater district.
No — Pod Times Square does not have a pool or a spa; its main public amenities are rooftop dining and a small fitness center (confirm availability).
At Pod, Wi‑Fi is included via the mandatory facility fee; at Lotte, wired and wireless internet are available for a surcharge according to the supplier listing.
Yes. Both properties welcome guests of all ages; Pod requires the check-in guest to be at least 18 years old.
Explore how Pod Times Square stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·