Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel: Common Areas

Above: photos of the lounging area on the main lobby level.
(Except where noted all photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

I have nothing against sky lobbies at hotels. The New York Marriott Marquis hotel a block down the street offers one of the extreme examples with the main lobby located on the eighth floor. These lobbies offers some sort of privacy or exclusivity for hotel guests. On the other hand it offers an unnecessary stop during the check-in process when guests are likely most eager to head straight to their room after entering the hotel entrance especially with bags in tow.

Unlike the Marquis where the elevators take guests to any floor from the ground level, the Renaissance New York Times Square has a set of two elevators that takes guests from the ground level to the main lobby at which point a few feet away are the main elevators to the guest room floors. Check-in used to be on the main level until three years ago when the it was moved to the ground level. I found this change convenient.

Hotel Check-in Desk
(image credit: Renaissance Hotels)

Arrival lobby level.

The main level lobby is sectioned off with the R Lounge at Two Times Square on one end and the Vivid Lounge (which serves only breakfast from 6:30am-11am after which it becomes an available meeting room) at the other. The concierge desk is just off the elevators. In between is a sophisticated lounge area with cushy couches and chairs in blue and acid washed copper walls making it an inviting place to relax or to meet up for drinks; and main lobby bar with it's long communal table. The lighting changes once evening sets giving it more of a lounge feeling rather than lobby. This level can get busy depending on the time of day but if offers but it offers an escape when you've found the frenzy of Times Square enough.

This is one of a series of posts in review of the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel.

Above and below: Main lobby bar.

Main level lobby changes once evening arrives.

Nook with computer monitors.