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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Best Marriott Category 5 hotels in New York City for families
Dia Adams is a Mom of a teen and a tween in the DC Metro area. She writes The Deal Mommy, an award-winning site focusing on showing kids the world while still maintaining both savings and sanity. She is also the author of bestselling travel guide Disney World Hacks.
January 30, 2021 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
New York City offers a range of family-friendly hotels that can be booked using an annual award night worth up to 35,000 points from select loyalty programs.
Category 5 Marriott properties in Manhattan provide midrange options, with room sizes typically around 250 square feet, though some offer larger accommodations and added amenities.
Location is key when choosing a hotel, with neighborhoods like the West 50s, Tribeca and downtown offering different atmospheres and proximity to attractions.
Some properties, such as Residence Inn and Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, stand out for features like larger rooms, kitchens or pools, making them appealing for families.
What to consider
Peak and off-peak award rates change monthly, so research is needed to maximize value.
Taxes and fees, including destination fees, may apply even on award stays, impacting total cost.
Availability for rooms that sleep four can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the best Category 5 Marriott hotels in NYC for families, including specific property highlights and booking tips.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Other legacy SPG/Marriott cards that are no longer available
If anything, the trouble at Category 5 Marriott properties is digging through the plethora of midrange options that look pretty similar on paper. I've sorted through the list for you to help separate the wheat from the chaff.
Finding a family-friendly hotel in NYC can be overwhelming. (Photo by Cris Tagupa via Unsplash)
Things to consider before booking an NYC stay
Planning a trip to New York City with a family can be a complicated endeavor that depends on what part of town is your focus and what attractions are most important for your family to experience. Here are some things to ponder before booking your trip.
Are you traveling peak or off-peak?
Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about what dates are considered peak or off-peak, so you'll have to do your research before you book your stay. Consider also that the dates change monthly.Here are some guidelines to usewhen considering Marriott Bonvoy peak and off-peak dates.
Are you staying five nights?
If you have both certificates and points to burn, you may want to save your certificate and book five nights using points because then the fifth night would be free. If you need more points to get you to the necessary amount, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Marriott Bonvoy account. However, on paper Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth more than double a Marriott point so I would only suggest this if you need to top up.
Beware of taxes and fees
The daily hotel tax rate is comprised of several different taxes and totals a whopping 14.75% plus $1.50 each day. Award rates aren’t taxed, which could make a big difference between paying cash and using an award. However, there is an increasing (and nasty) trend for some properties to charge “destination fees,” which are essentially resort fees by another name. These fees will be charged even on award stays. The higher the category, the more likely the hotel charges a destination fee. In fact, the St. Regis New York (which is at the top of the award chart) tacks on a $50 destination fee per day.
Maybe you'll have a view of the Statue of Liberty. (Photo by Tetra Images/Getty Images)
Small rooms are the norm
New York City hotel rooms are small, even at many of the luxury hotels. At a Category 5 property, you’ll be lucky to find rooms larger than 250 square feet. Most Category 6 hotels in Manhattan that sleep four people offer two double beds as opposed to two queen beds.
My family’s criteria for booking an NYC hotel
Here are the things that are important to me when booking a stay for my family in the Big Apple.
Rooms that sleep four
My No. 1 criteria for any family trip to NYC is finding rooms that sleep four. Many rooms with two double beds, and even two queen beds, are sometimes only listed for two or three people. I know families that regularly “sneak” their kids into rooms that are not technically rated for four people, but it’s not a practice I personally recommend. The one time you get caught could cost you thousands in last-minute hotel fees or worse: no place to stay. If you’ve got more than two kids, check out these tips for booking hotel rooms for large families.
Location, location, location
With close to 30 Category 5 Marriott properties in Manhattan, the options are much greater than for Category 4 hotels in NYC. You'll want to pick the location that best appeals to you and your family. If you don’t yet know which NYC attractions to put on your to-do list, read up on these affordable and family-friendly activities.
Here's where I admit my bias: I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere in the area between Penn Station (West 34th Street) and Times Square South (West 42nd Street). Many midrange properties are in this area but rank lower on my list. There's nothing wrong with this neighborhood safety-wise, I just don't feel it represents the best of what New York City has to offer.
If you want to stay in the Theater District or near Times Square, I suggest north of West 42nd Street. If you want Times Square proper, it's between 42nd and 47th, but I'm a bigger fan of staying in the West 50s. You're still close enough to Midtown attractions, but are also within range of Central Park and Columbus Circle. I should note that this neighborhood is called "Hell's Kitchen," but don't let the name scare you. It's perfectly family-friendly.
A skyline view of Hell's Kitchen, NYC. (Photo via Shutterstock)
When you think "West" or "East" in New York City, the starting point is Fifth Avenue. Most of what you want to see is likely on the West Side. There's nothing wrong with staying on the East Side, just keep in mind that while walks between numbered street blocks are short, walks between avenues are longer.
Alternatively, you could go for more of a neighborhood vibe in Chelsea, SoHo or even Harlem. Mommy Points often prefers to stay in Tribeca. You'll have to take the subway to get to most attractions, but you'll have a more-classic New York experience.
A third option is to stay downtown. Doing so provides proximity to downtown attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and neighborhoods such as Little Italy or Chinatown.
Real-time availability
I see a lot of this when I search Marriott.com for New York properties rated for four people:
Screen shot via Marriott.com
With that in mind, I’m only recommending properties that show a reasonable amount of bookable dates open in the next six months.
The best NYC Category 5 Marriott hotels for families
In no particular order, here are my top Category 5 Marriott properties for families in NYC:
Rooms at the Residence Inn are a whopping 399 square feet — considerably larger than many other rooms in the city. Residence Inns also feature full kitchens and free breakfast, which could save you a bundle on meals. (Just be sure not to miss at least one real dining experience in Manhattan, like some of the world’s best pizza or these other fun NYC restaurants kids will love.) The location is at the south end of Broadway near the Cortlandt Street subway stop.
This little nook could save you hundreds in food costs on a family vacation. (Photo courtesy of Marriott)
The Marriott New York Downtown could be the go-to for Marriott Elites as it’s the only property on the list (in Manhattan) that features a concierge lounge. You could also get lucky and score a room with a view of the Statue of Liberty. The location is convenient, being near the 9/11 Memorial and numerous transit options. The annoying $15/day destination fee at least includes a $15 F&B credit.
The Aloft in Harlem came to my attention via a friend's recommendation. After one stay it's become her family's go-to in New York City. This could be a great choice if your family has crossed off all of the main tourist attractions and is looking for a more authentic experience. It's a bit of a long subway ride from Times Square and Midtown, but the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side is easily within reach. Rooms on points sleep four and are a decently sized 315 square feet.
I haven’t tried the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, but it may be my go-to for my next trip to the Big Apple. The hotel features an indoor pool, which is unique among Category 5 properties, and some suites have terraces where you can view the Manhattan skyline. The hotel has just gone through a remodel so rooms look bright and fresh. Even the standard rooms are gargantuan for New York, coming in at 400 square feet. The M Lounge offers breakfast and weekday snacks for elite Marriott Bonvoy members as well. With rates over $400 a night when I looked in April, 35,000 Marriott points is a solid value.
(Image courtesy of Marriott Brooklyn Bridge)
Bottom line
I’d love to hear if your family has a favorite Category 5 Marriott property in New York City. If so, please share your experiences. And, if you don’t have a Marriott free night certificate at your disposal, here are some other options for other family-friendly points hotels in NYC.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
