The Knickerbocker

The Knickerbocker Overview

You know what hits you first at The Knickerbocker? It’s not the marble lobby or the fancy chandeliers – it’s the fact that you’re literally standing in the middle of Times Square chaos, but somehow you feel like you’ve stepped into this calm, elegant bubble. I mean, we’re talking about a hotel that sits right at 6 Times Square, which sounds like it should be a nightmare of tourist madness, but honestly? The soundproofing is incredible.

The building itself has this old-school New York gravitas – it’s been around since 1906, and you can feel that history in the thick walls and the way the elevators have this satisfying weight to them. The rooms are what you’d expect from a proper five-star place, but here’s what I actually loved: the windows are huge, and depending on which side you’re on, you either get the full Broadway theater district spread out below you (which is pretty spectacular at night, all those neon signs reflecting off the glass buildings) or you’re looking toward the Hudson River. The street-facing rooms do get some noise despite the good windows – it’s Times Square, after all – but it’s more like a distant urban hum than actual disruption.

What really surprised me was how the staff handles the location. They know exactly which subway entrance to point you toward (the N-Q-R-W at 42nd is literally right there, but they’ll tell you about the less crowded entrance on 41st), and they’re genuinely helpful about timing – like, don’t try to walk anywhere between 5-7 PM because the sidewalks turn into molasses. The concierge actually steered me away from the tourist trap restaurants right outside and toward some solid spots on 9th Avenue instead. Check-in was smooth even during what felt like peak chaos hour, though I’d definitely recommend getting there before 3 PM if you can swing it.

The rooftop bar is worth mentioning – not because it’s groundbreaking or anything, but because it gives you this perspective on the city that you can’t get from street level. You’re up there with a drink, watching the river of yellow cabs and the crowds moving like some kind of choreographed dance, and it actually makes you appreciate the madness instead of feeling overwhelmed by it. Plus, it’s one of the few places in the immediate area where you can have a conversation without shouting.

Look, staying right in Times Square isn’t for everyone – some people find it too intense, too touristy, too much. But if you want to be in the absolute center of the New York experience, walking distance from basically every Broadway show, every major subway line, and that particular brand of urban energy that only exists in a few places in the world, The Knickerbocker does it right. It’s expensive, sure, but it earns that 8.5 rating by being a genuinely comfortable home base in one of the most overwhelming neighborhoods on earth. Just don’t expect to get much sleep if you’re a light sleeper – the city that never sleeps lives right outside your window.

The Knickerbocker Accommodations

Reviews of The Knickerbocker

• Essa from Saudi Arabia (9/10)

  The room, reception , service , location , the smells of hotel

• Kelly from United States (9/10)

  The room was huge for this part of manhattan and the service was extremely attentive and helpful.

• Andersen from United States (9/10)

  Rooftop? Steak house, cafe🩷

• Anne from United States (9/10)

  Everything

• Dale from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Location, staff, rooftop bar, quality, quiet.

• Kevin from Australia (9/10)

  The location on Times Square was fantastic, with access to subway only 50m from hotel entrance.
  The soundproofing of rooms was excellent it was hard to believe you were in Times Square

• James from United States (7/10)

  Great hotel but too close to Times Square for me.

• Antonio from United States (9/10)

  I liked our room, the restaurant, the coffee shop, the staff and the location.

• Anna from United States (9/10)

  Location and ease of use (elevators quick, well appointed room, quality staff)

• Stacey from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Location

Surroundings

Facilities