
Margaritaville Resort Times Square
Best for guests who want a rooftop pool, skyline cocktails, and a resorty, tropical vibe in Midtown.
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Margaritaville Resort Times Square is an island‑inspired, family‑friendly Midtown hotel with a year‑round heated rooftop pool and multiple bars. Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square is a popular 4‑star Times Square option that appeals to value‑minded travelers who want a straightforward, centrally located base.
Updated · about 0.3 km apart

Best for guests who want a rooftop pool, skyline cocktails, and a resorty, tropical vibe in Midtown.

Best for travelers who want a centrally located, no‑frills 4‑star hotel with buffet breakfast and easy access to Broadway.
When Margaritaville wins: choose Margaritaville Resort Times Square if the rooftop pool, themed restaurants/bars, and a social rooftop scene matter to you — especially for families or groups looking for a more playful, resort‑style stay in the Theater District.
When Riu wins: pick Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square if you prefer a large, conventional 4‑star hotel with complimentary buffet breakfast, extensive room inventory, and straightforward concierge services close to Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
Bottom line: both hotels are convenient for Broadway and Midtown sightseeing; pick Margaritaville for the rooftop pool and branded dining and bars, or Riu Plaza for scale, value, and a familiar 4‑star city hotel experience.
| Category | Margaritaville Resort Times Square | Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Playful, tropical‑themed resort feel in the middle of Midtown | Mainstream 4‑star urban hotel focused on value and location |
| Location | 560 7th Ave — steps from Times Square, Broadway and Bryant Park | |
| Size (rooms) | 234 rooms across 32 floors | 649 rooms |
| Who it's best for | Families, groups and guests who want a rooftop pool and tropical dining | Leisure travelers seeking a big, reliable Midtown hotel and free buffet breakfast |
| Pools / signature amenity | Rooftop heated pool (6th floor) open year‑round with cabanas and lifeguard | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple branded venues: Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar, LandShark Bar & Grill, 5 o'Clock Somewhere Rooftop, License to Chill, Joe Merchant's Coffee | The Theater Buffet, coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge (1 restaurant, 1 bar listed) |
| Spa | No on‑site spa; partners with nearby Oasis Day Spa for treatments | Not published |
| Fitness | FINS UP! Fitness Center — 24‑hour access included with resort fee | Wheelchair‑accessible fitness center listed |
| Breakfast | Not complimentary; a la carte breakfast at LandShark Bar & Grill | Complimentary buffet breakfast (listed) |
| Fees & extras | Mandatory resort fee (listed at $49.95 + tax per night) that includes pool priority, bottled water, Wi‑Fi, fitness access and more | In‑room Wi‑Fi may carry a nightly fee; limited on‑site parking and other fees listed |
Margaritaville sits right in the Theater District with Times Square effectively at the door.
If you want to be in the neon heart of the Theater District, Margaritaville is literally steps away.
Hotel Riu Plaza is also a Midtown hotel positioned for theatergoers and sightseers.
Riu Plaza is a convenient, centrally located choice for Broadway and Midtown attractions.
Margaritaville has 234 island‑inspired rooms across several room types and suites.
Smaller property with a curated selection of room types and a few suites — good for guests who want a themed stay.
Hotel Riu Plaza features a large inventory of room types to suit many group sizes.
Choose Riu Plaza if you want many room options and the flexibility of a large hotel inventory.
Margaritaville emphasizes branded, island‑style dining across multiple venues.
Expect several themed dining and bar choices that reinforce the resort's tropical identity.
Riu Plaza lists a buffet restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe plus a bar/lounge.
Riu Plaza offers practical, no‑frills dining with a focus on buffet breakfast and quick options.
Margaritaville's standout feature is its year‑round heated rooftop pool on the 6th floor.
If a rooftop pool with city views matters, Margaritaville is the clear pick.
Hotel Riu Plaza's supplier listing does not publish a pool.
Riu Plaza's published listing does not confirm an on‑site pool.
Margaritaville provides 24‑hour fitness access and multiple bars, including rooftop nightlife.
Margaritaville mixes round‑the‑clock fitness with active rooftop and lobby bar scenes.
Riu Plaza lists a wheelchair‑accessible fitness center and a bar/lounge for evening drinks.
Riu Plaza covers the basics for fitness and evening drinks, with the neighborhood supplying additional nightlife options.

Margaritaville — heated year‑round rooftop pool with cabanas, poolside dining and a multi‑level rooftop bar.

Hotel Riu Plaza — 649 rooms and many bed configurations make it easier to find the space you need.

Margaritaville — multiple branded venues including a two‑story Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar and rooftop bars.

Hotel Riu Plaza — lists a complimentary buffet breakfast and straightforward 4‑star service.
Margaritaville Resort Times Square — it has a year‑round heated rooftop pool on the 6th floor; Hotel Riu Plaza's listing does not publish an on‑site pool.
Margaritaville explicitly markets itself as family‑friendly and welcomes children of all ages; Hotel Riu Plaza also accepts families but positions itself as a mainstream 4‑star city hotel.
Hotel Riu Plaza lists a complimentary buffet breakfast; Margaritaville's breakfast is a la carte and not complimentary.
Both are in the Theater District and within easy walking distance of Broadway, though Margaritaville is described as steps from Times Square and many theaters.
Explore how Margaritaville Resort Times Square stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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