There are few cities as iconic as New York City. It has everything-it is the best city in the world and I’m not just saying that because I live here. Within the two great rivers that encapsulate Manhattan are a few iconic hotels. Most are old world, traditional hotels like the Plaza, the Pierre, the Carlyle or the Waldorf. However, there is one new world hotel that has become an icon right in the middle of Times Square. That hotel is the New York Marriott Marquis.

The Marriott Marquis is an iconic New York hotel because it has come to symbolize Broadway and Times Square. It is often featured on television and hosts numerous big events in Manhattan. It also features ‘The View’, a massive revolving rooftop restaurant that boasts some of the best views of Manhattan.

An iconic New York hotel has to change though to keep up with the times. Some of the others I mentioned have fallen behind the times but the Marriott Marquis has changed. It’s changed the lobby into a cool place to hang out in the ‘Great Room’ style of the new Marriott. The restaurants have kept up with the fast pace of the city and the food is actually really good.

I was fortunate to get a tour of their cavernous kitchen and catering facilities. I met the executive chef and pastry chef in a private tasting. It was really cool to meet them and listen to how they run the kitchen to feed thousands of people but still maintaining quality and also innovating as they go. That aside, the food was again, really good!

If you’ve ever stayed in a New York hotel before, you’ve no doubt experienced small rooms. The rooms at the Marriott Marquis were a very good size. I wasn’t given any kind of special room, just a basic room and it was excellent. The bed was as good as any top hotel and you had room to move around. What else could you ask for in New York?

While staying in Times Square was new to me, it was actually pretty interesting. As a New Yorker, you never go to Times Square unless it’s absolutely necessary. Since, I got a room at the Marriott Marquis, I decided to use it.

Waking up in Times Square was different than anywhere else I’ve ever woken up in the city. The lights are bright, there’s a ton of tourists and Broadway is all around you as you peek outside your window when you wake up.

So with a view like this, I understand why tourists flock to Times Square to see the bright lights of Broadway. People want to wake up in the city that never sleeps just like Sinatra once sang. And I have to say, what better spot than an iconic New York hotel like the Marriott Marquis.

Disclaimer: I was compensated by Marriott for my participation in the Marriott + WIRED Culturazzi event series. I was also comped my room at the New York Marriott Marquis. However, all views expressed here are purely my own as always.

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