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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 6 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 3, 2021 • 10 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
Several family-friendly Marriott hotels in New York City can be booked using an award night valued up to 85,000 points, especially at Category 6 properties.
Room sizes in NYC are generally small, with most options for families offering two double beds and limited space.
Location is a key factor, with recommendations spanning Midtown, Central Park, and neighborhood settings like Chelsea and Tribeca for varied experiences.
Some properties offer perks like free breakfast or kitchenettes, which can help families save on meals.
What to consider
Award rates are not taxed, but some hotels add daily destination fees even on award stays.
Room occupancy limits are strictly enforced, so booking for the correct number of guests is important to avoid issues.
Availability for rooms that sleep four can be limited, so flexible travel dates may be necessary.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed comparisons of specific Marriott properties, including room features, locations and tips for maximizing a family stay in New York City.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If anything, the trouble with Category 6 Marriott properties is digging through the plethora of options that look similar on paper. We're here to help you sort through the list.
View of the skyline of New York. (Photo by Getty Images)
Things to Consider Before Booking a 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 staying peak or off-peak?
The time of year you visit New York City can plan a big part in deciding what hotel options work for you. If you happen to be traveling off-peak, your options expand greatly as 50,000 points could get you into a Category 7 hotel on off-peak dates. Conversely, if you are traveling during a peak season, this list will not apply to you at all. You'll want to browse from the Category 5 hotels we've selected.
Are you staying for five nights?
If you have both award night 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.
Apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card for the opportunity to earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
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 6 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 a 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 over 20 Category 6 Marriott properties in Manhattan, the options are varied. 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.
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 Tribeca. This is where Mommy Points’ often prefers to stay. 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:
Screenshot 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 6 Marriott Hotels for Families
In no particular order, here are my top Category 6 Marriott properties for families in NYC:
The Moxy New York is a new outlet of Marriott’s “too-cool-for-school” brand. I really like the way they’ve utilized every inch of the rooms’ limited 195 square feet, with features like a fold-down desk and sliding doors separating the bathroom vanity from the sleeping area. Those doors help everyone get ready and out the door much more quickly.
I don't really understand why they're calling this location "Midtown" as the hotel is at 24th between Park and Lexington Avenues. That said, with the Springhill brand offering free breakfast and larger rooms, it could be a good choice. My experience is that new hotels are often under-categorized for a short period of time after opening, so watch this space.
These two hotels share a building on 1717 Broadway just south of Columbus Circle. The Residence Inn has a unique distinction: the highest hotel in the United States. Both hotels offer jaw-dropping views of Central Park or Manhattan. The Residence Inn is my go-to for personal stays, but the Courtyard often has better availability on points. Rooms sleeping four offer two doubles.
(Photo courtesy of Residence Inn by Marriott, Manhattan/Central Park)
If you want to stay in Midtown, the Sheraton's location on 53rd and 7th makes it a good choice. Even traditional rooms offer two doubles so you shouldn't have a problem finding rooms for four on points. The hotel also has a club level so could offer good value for elites. The annoying $25 resort fee includes a $30 restaurant credit.
(Photo courtesy of Sheraton New York, Times Square)
At 57th Street between 10th and 11th avenues, the Fairfield feels more like an apartment setting than a hotel. It’s only two blocks from Columbus Square subway station and Central Park. Free breakfast is another nice perk. (Photo courtesy of Fairfield Inn and Suites Manhattan)
This Residence Inn at Lexington and 48th Street is a winner due to its room size of 300 square feet and for the rooms for four offer queen-sized beds. Residence Inns also offer free breakfast and a (very basic) in-room kitchenette, which can save on meals.
The Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East is conveniently located near the 53rd and Lexington Avenue subway station, which would be enough to get it in the list. However, it also offers rooms with either a king and sofa bed or two queen beds on points that come in at an enormous 348 square feet. That's larger than some Manhattan Apartments.
Image Via Marriott
Bottom Line
I’d love to hear if your family has a favorite Category 6 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.
