Pod Times Square
Best for efficient, budget-minded stays and travelers who want a rooftop meal without paying for large rooms.
Hotel comparison guide
Pod Times Square vs The Times Square EDITION
Pod Times Square is a compact, budget-friendly Midtown hotel with efficient 'Pod' rooms and a rooftop Italian restaurant — a practical pick for families and short-stay city travelers. The Times Square EDITION is a design-forward, five-star Marriott EDITION property in the heart of Times Square — read this if you want full-service luxury, design details, and higher-end dining and nightlife.
Updated
The Times Square EDITION
Best for travelers seeking five-star design, higher-end food-and-drink options, and full-service hotel amenities near the center of Times Square.
Quick Verdict: Pod Times Square vs The Times Square EDITION
When Pod Times Square wins: choose Pod if you want simple, compact rooms, lower per-night cost, rooftop Italian dining, easy access to Port Authority and quick subway connections, and family-friendly bunk/queen options.
When The Times Square EDITION wins: choose the EDITION if you want a full-service five-star experience, higher-end in-house dining and bars, concierge and 24-hour fitness/nightlife facilities, and a central address steps from Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
Bottom line: Pod is a practical Midtown option for short stays, families and budget-conscious travelers who value location and a rooftop restaurant. The Times Square EDITION is the pick for travelers after design-led luxury and a fuller range of in-house amenities.
Pod Times Square vs The Times Square EDITION – At a Glance
| Category | Pod Times Square | The Times Square EDITION |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Compact, efficient, casual | Design-forward luxury |
| Location | 400 W 42nd St — Midtown West, ~0.4 mi walk to Times Square/Broadway | 701 7TH AVENUE — in the Times Square core, steps from Rockefeller Center |
| Size (rooms) | About 665 guestrooms | 452 guestrooms |
| Audience / age policy | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 18 to check in | All ages welcome; not adults-only |
| Pools | No pool on site | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Serafina in the Sky (rooftop Italian) + Bar 42 lobby bar (on-the-go breakfast & cocktails) | Restaurant(s) + 2 bars/lounges and 24-hour room service (supplier listing) |
| Spa / wellness | Small on-site fitness center (28th floor); no spa | Not published |
| Known for | Compact 'Pod' rooms, rooftop dining, proximity to Port Authority | Central Times Square location and EDITION design branding |
| Accessibility & family features | ADA-accessible Pod rooms, cribs for 0–2 free, small-dog policy | Wheelchair-accessible features, accessible rooms listed |
| Service highlights | 24-hour front desk, multilingual staff, complimentary luggage storage | 24-hour front desk, concierge, express check-in/check-out, dry cleaning |
Location: Midtown access vs Times Square core
Pod Times Square – Location
Pod Times Square sits on W 42nd Street in Midtown West with quick access to Port Authority and many subway lines.
- About a 6–10 minute walk to the heart of Times Square and Broadway theaters.
- One block west of the 42nd Street–Port Authority transit hub for buses and multiple subway lines.
- Within walking distance of Hudson River Park, Javits Center and Penn Station connections.
Pod is extremely well connected for subway and bus travel and puts Broadway within easy walking distance.
The Times Square EDITION – Location
The Times Square EDITION is positioned steps from Times Square and Rockefeller Center in the heart of Midtown.
- Supplier listing places the hotel in the Times Square core and very close to Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall.
- Central address makes walking to major Midtown sights straightforward.
- Nearest airports listed; preferred airport indicated as LaGuardia in supplier notes.
The EDITION occupies a high-profile, central Times Square address for sightseeing and nightlife.
Rooms: Pod efficiency vs EDITION variety
Pod Times Square – Rooms
Pod Times Square offers compact Pods designed to maximize functionality for short stays.
- Room types include Bunk Pod Room (2 Twin Beds) and Pod Room (1 Double Bed or 1 Queen Bed); Pod Pads available for longer stays.
- Typical Pod sizes are small (about 119–130 sq ft for standard Pods).
- ADA-accessible Pod rooms with roll-in showers are available; cribs provided free for ages 0–2.
If you want compact, well-priced city rooms and optional small suites for longer stays, Pod focuses on efficient use of space.
The Times Square EDITION – Rooms
The Times Square EDITION offers a range of room categories in a five-star property.
- Supplier listing shows many room types from standard rooms through Premier and multiple accessible options.
- The property has 452 guestrooms with pillowtop beds, minibars and designer toiletries noted in the listing.
- Accessible room options and multiple room views are listed among room types.
The EDITION provides broader room-category choice and the amenities expected at a five-star urban hotel.
Dining & drinks: rooftop pizza and a lobby bar vs multiple dining outlets
Pod Times Square – Dining & drinks
Pod keeps dining simple and local with a rooftop Italian restaurant and a lively lobby bar.
- Serafina in the Sky — rooftop Italian dinner service with indoor and alfresco seating (hours vary, dinner service listed Tue–Thu & Sun 5–10 pm; Fri–Sat 5–11 pm).
- Bar 42 & Terrace serves cocktails, snacks and a paid on-the-go breakfast; Pizzoteca offers personal pizzas.
- One on-site bar/lounge (Bar 42) plus the rooftop restaurant covers dinner and drinks without leaving the hotel.
Pod’s food-and-drink offering centers on its rooftop restaurant and a single lobby bar — straightforward and social.
The Times Square EDITION – Dining & drinks
The Times Square EDITION's supplier listing highlights in-house restaurant service and multiple bars.
- Listing notes one restaurant and two bars/lounges plus 24-hour room service.
- Bars and lounges are positioned as part of the high-profile EDITION food-and-drink program.
- Supplier listing also flags vegetarian and vegan options among listed amenities.
The EDITION offers a fuller in-house dining and bar program appropriate to its five-star positioning.
Signature amenity: rooftop dining vs full-service hotel nightlife
Pod Times Square – Signature amenity
Pod’s rooftop Serafina in the Sky is the property’s most visible feature for evenings.
- Rooftop offers skyline views and Italian dinner service several nights a week.
- Terrace and rooftop space used for alfresco dining and drinks.
- The rooftop replaces larger resort amenities like a pool or spa at Pod.
Pod’s rooftop dining is the focal social space for guests who want city views without large luxury amenity footprints.
The Times Square EDITION – Signature amenity
The Times Square EDITION’s highlights include its bars/lounges and nightlife options listed by the supplier.
- Supplier listing specifically mentions a nightclub and two bars/lounges.
- 24-hour room service supports late-night dining and in-room meals.
- Express check-in/out and concierge services support an elevated guest experience.
The EDITION positions food, bars and nightlife as central features, paired with full-service hotel support.
Wellness & nightlife: small gym and rooftop vs 24-hour fitness and club space
Pod Times Square – Wellness & nightlife
Pod provides a small fitness room and rooftop/social spaces rather than extensive wellness facilities.
- Small fitness center reported on the 28th floor with cardio equipment and free weights (guests advised to confirm current availability).
- No on-site spa, pool or hot tub.
- Rooftop and lobby bar provide the main nightlife/social scene on property.
Pod focuses on a compact fitness room and rooftop social venues rather than full wellness services.
The Times Square EDITION – Wellness & nightlife
The Times Square EDITION lists 24-hour fitness and nightlife among its features.
- Supplier listing includes '24-hour fitness facilities' and a nightclub among amenities.
- Wheelchair-accessible fitness center and meeting/business facilities are noted.
- Listing highlights express services and concierge support for planning nightlife and events.
The EDITION combines round-the-clock fitness options with hotel-run nightlife and concierge services.
Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style
Pod Times Square
Compact Pods, lower room footprint and rooftop dining let you stay central without a high five-star price tag.
Pod Times Square
Bunk Pod options, cribs for infants and a family-friendly approach make Pod convenient for theater visits.
The Times Square EDITION
EDITION’s branding, in-house bars and full-service amenities suit travelers prioritizing luxury and nightlife.
The Times Square EDITION
The supplier listing notes 24-hour fitness, nightclub, concierge, express check-in/out and multiple in-house outlets.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQs →Pod Times Square vs The Times Square EDITION: FAQs
Which hotel is closer to Times Square?
Both are in the Times Square area; Pod Times Square is about a 6–10 minute walk to the heart of Times Square, while The Times Square EDITION is listed as steps from Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
Which hotel is better for families?
Pod is explicitly family-friendly with bunk rooms, cribs for infants and a small footprint that can suit families on a budget; the EDITION is a full-service five-star hotel that also accepts children but targets a luxury audience.
Do either hotel have a pool or spa?
Pod Times Square does not have a pool or spa. The Times Square EDITION's supplier listing does not publish pool or spa details (Not published).
Which property has more dining options on site?
The Times Square EDITION lists one restaurant and two bars/lounges plus 24-hour room service; Pod offers Serafina in the Sky (rooftop) and Bar 42 (lobby).
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Book your stay
Rooftop dining at Serafina
- Lowest rate guarantee
- Complimentary perks & upgrades
- 24/7 concierge