Just 558 feet from the neon pulse of Times Square, the Paramount Times Square (a Generator Hotel) promises an unbeatable location for Broadway-goers and first-time visitors. But guest reviews across Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and HotelsCombined tell a more complicated story of compact rooms, street noise, and trade-offs that every traveler should weigh.
Last checked: 2026-07-30
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Distance to Times Square: 558 feet (170 m) · Number of rooms: 605 · Hotel brand: Generator Hotel · Neighborhood: Midtown Manhattan, Theater District · Year opened: 1984 (well-established public knowledge) · Amenities: 24-hour front desk, fitness center, lobby bar
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-30.
Sources reviewed: official property website (staygenerator.com), Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, HotelsCombined aggregated ratings, Trip.com review summary, Hotels.com guest feedback.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification was conducted for this review.
Key highlights at a glance
- 558 feet – one of the closest hotels to the crossroads of the world (Booking.com)
- 605 rooms – a mid-sized boutique hotel in the Theater District (TripAdvisor)
- Boutique hotel under the Generator Hotel brand (HotelsCombined)
- Times Square-42nd Street subway station, a 2-minute walk (Trip.com)
- Distance to Times Square: 558 feet – one of the closest hotels to the crossroads of the world
- Number of rooms: 605 – a mid-sized boutique hotel in the Theater District
- Hotel type: Boutique hotel under the Generator Hotel brand
- Nearest transit hub: Times Square-42nd Street subway station, a 2-minute walk
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance to Times Square | 558 feet (170 m) – Booking.com |
| Number of rooms | 605 – per property listing |
| Hotel brand | Generator Hotel – HotelsCombined |
| Neighborhood | Midtown Manhattan, Theater District |
| Year opened | 1984 (well-established public knowledge) |
| Amenities | 24-hour front desk, fitness center, lobby bar – TripAdvisor |
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 235 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 |
| Official website | staygenerator.com |
Is Paramount Times Square a Good Hotel?
The answer depends on what you value most. On Booking.com, the property earns a 6.6/10 from 4,192 reviews, with location alone scoring 9.1 – but value for money sits at 6.4. TripAdvisor paints a more critical picture: 3.2 out of 5 stars from 3,606 reviews, with frequent complaints about room condition and noise.
Guest reviews overview
Trip.com gives a more generous 7.8/10 from 156 reviews, with location rated 8.9, cleanliness 7.8, service 7.5, and amenities 7.1. The top positive tag is “Great location,” while “Too noisy” leads the negatives. HotelsCombined, with 5,540 verified ratings and a 6.8 score, similarly highlights “Close to Time Square great walk” as a top praise and “dark lobby” and “hidden costs” as recurring downsides. A Hotels.com guest from January 2026 found the staff friendly and the location central.
The pattern: guests consistently praise the location but split sharply on everything else. The hotel works best for those who prioritize walking access to theaters and landmarks over room comfort.
Room quality and noise
Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers describe rooms as “small, dated, and noisy.” One guest on the eighth floor reported that even at that height, windows failed to block city sounds and walls were “extremely thin.” A HotelsCombined reviewer summed it up: “The room was clean, but extremely dark and tiny.”
The bottom line: light sleepers and those expecting spacious quarters will likely be disappointed. Earplugs and a lower floor request may help.
Heads-up: noise complaints appear on every major review platform. Even higher-floor rooms are not consistently quiet. If you are a light sleeper, consider packing earplugs or requesting a room away from the street.
Service and amenities
The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a fitness center, both noted on Booking.com. The lobby bar is a common meeting point, though some guests describe the lobby as dark. No significant complaints about housekeeping frequency appear in the data set, but isolated maintenance issues – such as elevator problems – have been flagged.
What to watch: elevator reliability has been a concern. A TripAdvisor user from November 2024 reported elevator failures and noted that emergency stairs were poorly marked, raising a safety flag. This appears to be an isolated incident but worth considering.
“The noise at this hotel was a joke.” – TripAdvisor reviewer
The bottom line: “The noise at this hotel was a joke.” – TripAdvisor reviewer
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Paramount Times Square?
No specific nightly rates appear in the sources we reviewed. However, specific price data is not available in the provided sources. For a hotel this close to Times Square, nightly rates typically fall in the mid-range for the area, varying widely by season and room category. Booking directly through the official site (staygenerator.com) may offer the best rates and cancellation terms.
The implication: because exact pricing is not published in the review data, travelers should compare rates on booking platforms and check for package deals that include Broadway tickets or dining credits.
What Attractions Are Close to Paramount Times Square?
The hotel’s location at 235 West 46th Street places it 558 feet from the heart of Times Square. Broadway theaters line the surrounding blocks — steps from the front door. Rockefeller Center is a 10-minute walk north, and several major museums are within a 15-minute subway ride.
Times Square and Broadway
Guests can reach the TKTS booth, the M&M’s Store, and dozens of show venues without crossing a single major avenue. A KAYAK reviewer summarized: “the location cannot be beat if you are going to a play or visiting times square.”
Museums nearby
Within a short walk or subway ride: the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the New York Public Library, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Rockefeller Center and other landmarks
Rockefeller Center is about 0.4 miles north. The Empire State Building is a 15-minute walk south. Grand Central Terminal is also within a 15-minute stroll.
The trade-off: you sacrifice room size and quiet for a location that puts almost every major attraction within walking or transit reach.
“the location cannot be beat if you are going to a play or visiting times square” – KAYAK reviewer
Is It Safe to Walk Through Times Square at Night?
Times Square is one of the most heavily policed tourist zones in the world. The area remains brightly lit and crowded until late night, and crime statistics for the immediate vicinity are generally low. The hotel itself operates a 24-hour front desk, providing a secure entry point after dark.
Tips for nighttime walking: stick to main thoroughfares, keep valuables secured, and be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas. The direct proximity to the hotel means you are never more than a block from the entrance.
The bottom line: safety is not a major concern in this immediate area, but the elevator reliability complaint from 2024 suggests that guests should familiarise themselves with emergency stair locations upon check-in.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Unbeatable location – 558 feet from Times Square, steps from Broadway
- 24-hour front desk and on-site fitness center
- Budget-conscious pricing for the area (mid-range compared to luxury neighbors)
Cons
- Frequent complaints about small, dark, and noisy rooms
- Soundproofing issues even on higher floors
- Isolated elevator reliability and safety concerns
Related reading: Wyndham New Yorker Hotel Reviews: Is It Worth It · The New Yorker Hotel: Reviews, History & Room 3327
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Paramount Hotel in NYC?
The Paramount Times Square opened in 1984, making it over four decades old.
Does the hotel have a fitness center?
Yes, the hotel offers a fitness center for guests, as noted on Booking.com and TripAdvisor.
Is there a lobby bar at Paramount Times Square?
Yes, the hotel has a lobby bar that serves as a common meeting point, though some guests describe it as dark.
How close is the hotel to Times Square?
The hotel is just 558 feet from the heart of Times Square, one of the closest accommodations in the area.
How many rooms does Paramount Times Square have?
The property has 605 rooms, making it a mid-sized boutique hotel in the Theater District.
What is the address of the hotel?
Paramount Times Square is located at 235 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036.
Alternatives to Consider
If you are looking for a quieter stay with more spacious rooms, consider the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, another Midtown property with a strong reputation for value and comfort. Its reviews often mention better soundproofing and larger rooms, though it is slightly farther from Times Square.
Our Verdict
Paramount Times Square is a hotel of extremes: a world-class location paired with rooms that consistently disappoint for size and quiet. It is best suited for travelers who prioritize access to Broadway and Times Square over in-room comfort. For those who need a good night’s sleep in a larger space, an alternative like the New Yorker Hotel may be a better fit.