Hotel Review: Moxy Times Square NYC
I primarily lean towards Hilton or Marriott for booking hotel stays during both business and recreational travels. Both hospitality juggernauts have properties all over the world, but Marriott still dominates Hilton when it comes to its presence and availability, especially after the merger with Starwood Preferred Group (SPG). Moreover, I believe Marriott has more personality in its properties and has been rebranding itself to appeal to younger generations of travelers. So when my friends and I decided to spend this past weekend in New York City, I wanted to book a young and energetic but also affordable hotel for us. I struck out with Hilton, but was able to find exactly what I was looking for with Marriott: Moxy NYC Times Square. Marriott was running a Winter Getaway promotion at the time and I was able to book a Queen Plus Twin Loft room for one night for $187.85, including taxes + fees. Here is my review of Moxy Times Square NYC:
Moxy Times Square NYC is located at 485 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018—the heart of Manhattan, NY.
What Card Should You Use to Book?
Because Moxy NYC Times Square is a Marriott property, I used my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card to book our stay. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is currently offering a signup bonus of 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in three months. Be aware that since this is an American Express (AMEX) card, you are only granted a specific card’s signup bonus once in your lifetime as per their policy. With a valuation of 0.8 cents per point, the signup bonus is worth about $600. The card’s annual fee is $450, but cardmembers receive an annual $300 travel credit and free night certificate that can be used at Marriott properties worth up to 50,000 points per night. These two benefits, in addition to automatic Gold status, elite night credits, purchase and trip protection, waived TSA PreCheck/Global Entry costs, and Priority Pass lounge access, easily offset the annual fee. The AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant card is a perfect example of a keeper card based on how its benefits outweigh the cost of membership.
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is perfect for anyone who likes to stay at Marriott properties during their travels. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com
Cardmembers earn 6 points per dollar at Marriott properties, 3 points per dollar at US restaurants and airfare booked directly with airlines and 2 points per dollar for all other purchases. Using the valuation above, using the Bonvoy Brilliant card at Marriott hotels will earn you 4.8% back.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSwdXp?xl=cp01
I have another Marriott Bonvoy credit card: the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business Card. It is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Until 12/31/2021, cardmembers will get a monthly statement credit of $15 when they spend $15 or more on monthly wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. services providers. The eligible purchases include shipping, restaurant, wireless telephone, and gas station purchases made in the U.S. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is the only Marriott business card on the market. Photo credit: www.americanexpress.com
The Bonvoy Business Card’s annual fee is $125 and offers decent benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
One free night certificate, redeemable for properties worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Bonvoy status
As you can see the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the Bonvoy Brilliant Card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual free night certificate perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Bonvoy Business Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSi04o?xl=cp01
Moxy Hotels: An Affordable and Stylish Boutique Stay
Marriott brands Moxy as a chain of stylish budget hotels for younger to middle-aged audiences. They are currently available in major cities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Moxy implements non-conventional hotel elements in its brand to make its properties appeal to younger crowds. Its lobbies use funky pop-art decor, neon signs, and energetic music to make them more approachable, trendy, and inclusive.
While stylish and modern, the lobby in Moxy NYC Times Square felt somewhat cramped and narrow compared to its more open-aired Marriott siblings.
Check-in desks at Moxy serve as bars, and Marriott Bonvoy members even get coupons for complimentary drinks. There is a Grab-and-Go service where you can pick up snacks and beverages 24/7.
Because Moxy NYC Times Square’s lobby is on the smaller side, the bar is located on the 2nd floor atrium.
Lobby & Check-in Review: Neon Signs and Clubbing Music
I’ve never stayed at a Moxy before, but upon doing some research regarding their brand goals and atmosphere, I got the impression that they were akin to a more affordable version of W Hotels, another Marriott chain. My presumption was spot on; as soon as I checked in, there was a ton of neon lighting and loud music to let you know you were at a Moxy.
The petite check-in desks that greeted us at Moxy NYC Times Square.
I purchased my stay in advance for their ‘Winter Getaway’ promotion and received complimentary drink vouchers for four hot toddies at the self-titled Bar Moxy, located on the 2nd floor.
These drink vouchers are valued at $50-60, since an average cocktail costs about $15. Welcome to New York!
I also received breakfast vouchers at Legasea (also located on the 2nd floor), which I was unfortunately unable to use. Considering I only have Marriott Gold Elite status which does not provide complimentary breakfast with stays, this was a very nice touch from the hotel.
Unfortunately, I was unable to use the breakfast voucher due to having booked a brunch reservation with my party.
I received a grooming kit by Blind Barber, a boutique neighborhood barbershop and lounge located in East Village. At Moxy Times Square NYC, they had a satellite location so guests can freshen up before and after going out.
Blind Barber provided these high-quality amenities that will definitely come in handy the next time I travel.
The entrance to Blind Barber is located on the first floor.
The main lobby was on the second floor, so we used an elevator to go up. The elevator button was made out of a touchscreen panel with an interface that confused us before we got the hang of it. I’m unsure if older audiences who may not be as tech-savvy are able to grasp and operate this interface, but they’re also not the target demographic that Moxy is going after.
The elevator interface was a tad flashy and tech-heavy.
As we arrived on the second floor, the neon lighting and club music theme continued. There was a bar in the middle surrounded by Moxy’s Grab-and-Go station, an ice cream machine, foosball table, and lots of seating area for guests to enjoy.
Moxy’s Grab-and-Go station, AKA fancy snack stand.
Who doesn’t like ice cream, especially from a retro-looking locker?
A tattoo shop called JonBoy’s Studio was also next to the bar to receive appointments for your next ink job. The shop is open to the public, but Moxy guests receive priority access.
The starting rate for a tattoo at Jonboy Tattoo is $1,000, so brace your wallet!
At night, the DJ was playing electropop music that made it a tad too loud to carry more intimate conversations.
Seats were designed for groups and the music was quite loud.
We grabbed complimentary hot toddies, which tasted more like hot spiked lemon teas without the traditional notes of cinnamon and star anise.
Our hot toddies came with two too many lemon wedges…
Bar Moxy had a menu for cocktails, wine, beer and some breakfast and lunch items.
The lunch items looked pretty comprehensive for a hotel menu.
Bedroom Review: A Great Room for Three People
I booked a Queen Plus Twin Loft which was perfect for three people. The queen bed was more comfortable than the twin, which had a similar thickness to a floor mattress. Even though I didn’t feel claustrophobic, it did feel a little cramped when I slept on the twin loft.
The Queen Plus Twin Loft was perfectly sized for three people.
Moxy advertises their rooms as compact but full of tech; it had plenty of outlets and USB ports for electronic devices. The room featured a 43-inch TV mounted on the wall and at least 20 hooks along the wall that can be used for hanging clothes and other small collapsible furniture.
Using collapsible furniture is a great idea to save any unnecessary space.
A steamer replaced the traditional hotel set of iron and ironing board. For those who prefer to iron clothes, guests can use the communal laundry room to do so.
Bathroom Review: Full of Terrible Design Flaws Gym & Workstations: Functional but Cramped
The bathroom was not my favorite part for a number of reasons. First, the bathroom door was a sliding door without a visible lock. The sliding door was also semi-transparent so the toilet (and silhouette of the unfortunate individual using it) were visible from outside. I guess you don’t need a lock if you can physically see that it’s occupied!
The bathroom did not lend itself to a private experience.
Secondly, the walk-in shower was a rainfall type which I liked, but also positioned near the sleeping quarters and extremely loud when you were outside the restroom. The open shower concept also didn’t have a curtain or barrier, so the water went everywhere when I used it. The theme of the restroom was vintage swimming pool, so maybe this was Moxy’s intention to splish-splash everywhere.
The open shower concept meant water got everywhere with each use.
Thirdly, the sink was outside the restroom. Every time someone uses the toilet, they can only wash their hands after having already touched the sliding door with their dirty hands.
The sink was not only shallow, but also poorly positioned in the middle of the room.
The toiletry items were by muk. and were communal.
I wish the hotel had separate shampoo and body wash, but these did the trick.
Gym & Workstations: Functional but Cramped
In the hotel basement were a luggage storage area, business station, vending machines for snacks and charging cables, and an ice machine.
For your emergency needs, convenient but likely priced higher than retail value.
The business station was comprised of two standing desks, located very inconveniently in the hallway corridors where people move in and out with their luggage.
I know standing desks are the new workplace thing, but even a couple of barstools would’ve been nice!
The gym was decently sized and had basic free weights, cardio machines, and your standard TechnoGym cable machines that are usually found in other hotels and apartment living communities.
The gym had all the essentials with brand new equipment.
My favorite was a cycling bike with an indoor bike trainer stand. I wish the hotel had Peloton bike stations, but their absence is understandable given that Moxy is a budget-friendly hotel.
Definitely not a Peloton, but at least it’s an actual cycling bike.
The gym also featured a boxing sandbag as well as a pull-up bar.
Every gym equipment was clean and maintained well.
Though the gym did not have a fridge, it did have a built-in water fountain with cups.
The water wasn’t as cold as one would like after a hard workout.
After checking out the gym, we went to grab a few drinks at Magic Hour, the rooftop bar. Magic Hour has indoor and outdoor areas with lounges themed around an amusement park. It was curated by TAO Group, a NYC-based hospitality group known for having sumptuous venue designs. Magic Hour has a rotating carousel with reservation-only tables, an Instagram worthy flower wall, and an outdoor mini golf course called Foreplay decorated with flirty bunny sculptures.
It was a cold night so we didn’t spend any time in the outdoor area, which was interesting to say the least.
There was a DJ playing in the middle of the venue and we had very mediocre Jack and Cokes for $20 each. They served food with brunch available on the weekends.
Yes, you need to be ‘under the influence’ to swallow the price of Magic Hour’s overpriced drinks.
Summary
I really enjoyed Moxy Times Square NYC’s atmosphere. The budget-boutique branding definitely worked and appealed to young adults like myself. Complimentary drinks and club music were perfect as my friends and I were preparing to go out for the evening. The room design was great for sleeping three people but had its flaws. The shower was loud, there was no lock on the revealing bathroom door, and the sink was outside the restroom. Even though the hotel was full of new tech, it sometimes felt unnecessary and bordering on pretentious, especially since the elevator buttons were replaced with touchscreen panels. The gym had everything I needed, and receiving complimentary breakfast despite my Gold Elite status was a nice cherry on top. Overall, I’m glad I chose Moxy Times Square NYC and was able to experience the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the Moxy brand.
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! http://refer.amex.us/EDWARSb1jy?XLINK=MYCP
