New York Marriott Marquis

As New York's second-largest hotel (with 49 floors and 1,957 rooms, just behind the New York Hilton's 1,981 rooms) the Marquis draws conventioneers, large families, Broadway fanatics, and international travelers taking advantage of a weak dollar. It's good for anyone looking for a classic New York experience -- it's in the heart of Times Square, right behind the Good Morning America studio.

Still, the mammoth hotel spectacle can feel like a cross between Epcot Center and an airport, what with the chaotic street level entrance (the lobby is actually on the eighth floor); the electronic check-in/boarding-pass kiosks; the glass-enclosed, neon glowing elevator pods that soar up through the open 49-story atrium lobby; the expansive corridors with shops; and the hordes of uniformed employees milling about.

Renovation in 2011 and 2012 brought contemporary decor to the rooms and common spaces, and the restaurants are now more stylish and appealing than they were previously. The views, however, have remained the same -- they are still particularly noteworthy from the aptly named Broadway Lounge, which overlooks Times Square, and The View Restaurant & Lounge, a revolving rooftop restaurant with exceptional skyline views.

The Marquis is in the true heart of Times Square. Blinding neon marquees consume every visible lot high into the sky. Food, souvenir shops, and sightseeing options are endless, and the sheer volume of bike and foot traffic can be a bit of sensory overload.

Directly in front of the hotel, there are double-decker bus tours, panhandling "performance artists" dressed like the Statue of Liberty, and best of all, though, a TKTS discount booth right across the street, where people can procure same-day theater tickets at up to 50 percent off.

Sweetening the deal, the stretch of Broadway that runs through Times Square is closed to traffic, making it incredibly pedestrian-friendly and more conducive to sightseeing. Furthermore, 12 subway lines are less than five minutes away at the Port Authority and Times Square subway stations at 42nd Street.

But beyond the franchise shopping and pedicabs, there's a slightly more authentic (and less tourist-oriented) New York to be found only two long blocks away -- in Hell's Kitchen, a slum turned upscale neighborhood that boasts less gimmicky, less expensive, and much better-tasting restaurants than in Times Square.

• In the heart of Times Square and the Theater District
• 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Center
• 10-minute walk to Bryant Park and the main branch of the New York Public Library
• 13-minute walk to Columbus Circle and Central Park

New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on traffic conditions and the time of day. From JFK, a taxi to anywhere in Manhattan costs a flat rate of $45 and takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride to Midtown Manhattan costs about $40 and can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 plus tolls and can take more than 90 minutes. It's customary to tip your driver 15-25 percent.

Those looking to save some cash can use the privately run shuttle buses that are available at all three airports for about $14 per person. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. Public transit is also available for as little as $7 per person, but mass transit can take up to two hours and can involve lugging bags up and down subway stairways.

With much larger rooms than the average New York hotel, contemporary decor, and decent bathrooms, the Marquis is a solid pick for those who want to be in the thick of the action. Soft renovations in 2012 brought new carpets, a few new pieces of furniture, more modern technology features, and a few new touches to bathrooms.

• Standard rooms start at 430 square feet, quite spacious for New York, and especially Times Square.
• One king-size or two full-size featherbeds
• 42-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable and HBO. Pay-per-view movies are also available.
• iPod docks
• Coffeemakers
• Wi-Fi or wired Internet available for a fee
• Desks, even in the most basic rooms
• Shower/tub combination in bathrooms
• Pull-out couches in all rooms; rollaway beds not permitted in any room type.
• Soundproofed walls to keep out the chaotic Times Square noise
• Some rooms have Times Square views.
• Newspaper delivered to rooms every day
• Concierge-level rooms include a minibar, free continental breakfast, free snacks and drinks throughout the day, and exclusive lounge access.
• No minibars

The hotel packs in a gratuitous number of features, including a novelty New York gift shop and an excellent gym. There are multiple floors dedicated to convention ballrooms and meeting spaces, not to mention an on-site Broadway theater.

• Huge 24-hour fitness center overlooking Times Square with modern cardio machines (featuring individual TVs), strength training machines, free weights, fresh fruit, and towels.
• Fee for in-room Wi-Fi
• A theater concierge can arrange for tickets at a moment's notice.
• Full-service business center
• Exclusive lounge for Concierge-level guests, offering free continental breakfasts, evening hors d'oeuvres, afternoon tea, beverage service, Wi-Fi, and XFM radio.
• On-site parking is available for a fee.

Times Square may be chaotic and over-stimulating, but the Marquis is a convenient choice for families. Rooms are comfortably spacious, all come with pull-out couches, and cribs are free, making sleeping arrangements simpler than at many hotels. Connecting rooms are available, but the hotel does not offer rollaways. Kids may be wowed by the glowing elevator pods that zip up and down the 49-story lobby.

• Broadway Lounge on the eighth floor serves cocktails with a full view of Times Square below. The restaurant is open for dinner.
• The revolving rooftop restaurant, The View Restaurant & Lounge, is open for breakfast and dinner.
• Crossroads American Kitchen and Bar serves American fare for all three meals.
• Unbelievably for a hotel of its size, the Marquis does not offer 24-hour room service (but room service is offered from early morning to late night). There are plenty of open restaurants 24 hours, however, in this bustling location.