
Margaritaville Resort Times Square
Best for guests who want a resortlike, family-friendly stay in the heart of the Theater District with a rooftop pool and casual island dining.
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Margaritaville Resort Times Square is a 4-star, island-themed hotel in the Theater District with a year-round rooftop pool and family-friendly programming. JW Marriott Essex House New York is a 4.5-star, landmark hotel on Central Park South that suits travelers who want a classic Marriott property and direct access to the park; read this if you’re choosing between a lively Times Square resort vibe and a more traditional Central Park luxury stay.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for guests who want a resortlike, family-friendly stay in the heart of the Theater District with a rooftop pool and casual island dining.

Best for travelers who want a traditional, Central Park–front luxury hotel with spacious meeting facilities and a full-service on-site spa.
When Margaritaville Resort Times Square wins: pick Margaritaville if you want to be steps from Broadway and Times Square, care about having a year-round heated rooftop pool and cabana service, and prefer casual, island-inspired restaurants and rooftop nightlife that welcome families.
When JW Marriott Essex House New York wins: choose the JW Marriott Essex House for a quieter, Park-facing location, larger meeting and event capacity, an on-site spa and the familiarity of a full-service Marriott property with 528 rooms and classic hotel amenities.
Bottom line: choose Margaritaville for energetic, family-friendly Midtown convenience and poolside fun; choose JW Marriott Essex House if you prioritize Central Park access, formal meeting space and a more traditional luxury-hotel experience.
| Category | Margaritaville Resort Times Square | JW Marriott Essex House New York |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Playful, island-themed Midtown resort atmosphere | Landmark, classic Central Park–facing luxury |
| Location | 560 7th Ave — in the Theater District/Times Square | 160 Central Park S — directly on Central Park South |
| Size (rooms) | 234 rooms across 32 floors | 528 rooms |
| Who it's for / ages | All ages; family-friendly (kids welcome; children stay free in many cases) | All ages; not adults-only |
| Pools / signature amenity | Year-round heated rooftop pool (6th floor) with lifeguard, cabanas and poolside dining | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar, LandShark Bar & Grill, 5 O'Clock Somewhere rooftop and License to Chill lobby bar | Bourbon Steak New York (steakhouse), 1 bar/lounge and room service available |
| Spa & wellness | No on-site spa; partners with Oasis Day Spa (offsite) for treatments | Spa services and spa treatment rooms on site |
| Known for | Rooftop pool, island-themed dining and times-square views (including a two-story Margaritaville Restaurant) | Central Park location, landmark status and extensive meeting/banquet space |
| Meeting & event space | Approximately 15,500 sq. ft. of meeting space across five main venues (largest ~8,200 sq. ft.) | 14 meeting rooms and roughly 1,480 sq. ft. of conference space cited (supplier listing) |
| Resort / mandatory fees | Mandatory resort fee (stated $49.95 + tax per night; may appear differently on some OTAs) | Optional/mandatory fees: breakfast and in-room internet are charged (amounts listed in supplier info) |
| Distance between properties | about 0.8 km to JW Marriott Essex House New York | |
Margaritaville sits steps from Times Square and Broadway in Midtown, ideal if you want immediate access to shows and tourist hubs.
Choose Margaritaville for being in the Theater District and very close to Midtown attractions.
JW Marriott Essex House is on Central Park South, placing you directly across from the park and within short walking distance of Columbus Circle and several museums.
Pick the JW Marriott Essex House if Central Park proximity and a more classic Manhattan hotel location matter to you.
Margaritaville has 234 island-inspired rooms across 32 floors with family-friendly suites and midrise views.
Rooms skew toward casual, family-oriented layouts with options for sofa beds and multiple bedding choices.
JW Marriott Essex House offers a large mix of traditional guest rooms and suites, including many park-view room types.
Expect a more conventional luxury-hotel room inventory, plus many Central Park–view options.
Margaritaville emphasizes island-inspired, casual dining across several on-site venues.
If you prefer lively, themed restaurants and rooftop cocktails, Margaritaville focuses on that experience.
JW Marriott Essex House features more formal dining and a noted steakhouse option.
Choose the JW Marriott Essex House for a more traditional, upscale dining scene and formal meal options.
The rooftop pool is a major draw at Margaritaville — heated, staffed and integrated with poolside dining.
Margaritaville’s rooftop pool is central to the resort experience and a rare Midtown outdoor swim option.
Pool information for JW Marriott Essex House New York is not published in the supplied listing.
Pool details are not published for the JW Marriott Essex House in the supplied materials; verify with the hotel if this matters.
Margaritaville includes a 24-hour FINS UP! Fitness Center and rooftop nightlife venues.
Good for fitness-access and casual rooftop nightlife; spa treatments require an offsite partner.
JW Marriott Essex House lists on-site spa services and a larger business/meeting footprint.
Pick the JW Marriott Essex House for on-site spa treatments, meeting facilities and quieter evenings near the park.

Margaritaville — family-friendly programming, kids-welcome rooftop pool and family suites with sofa beds.

JW Marriott Essex House New York — directly on Central Park South and close to Columbus Circle and park attractions.

Margaritaville — year-round heated rooftop pool with cabanas and poolside dining.

JW Marriott Essex House New York — large room count, many meeting rooms and an on-site spa for guest services.
Margaritaville Resort Times Square — it sits at 560 7th Ave with Times Square and many theaters within a short walk.
JW Marriott Essex House New York — its address is 160 Central Park S, directly adjacent to Central Park for quieter mornings and park access.
Margaritaville has a year-round heated rooftop pool but no on-site full-service spa (partners with an offsite spa). JW Marriott Essex House lists spa services on site in its supplier listing; pool information is not published in the supplied JW listing — confirm directly with the JW if a pool is required.
Yes. Margaritaville explicitly promotes family-friendly programming and allows children of all ages; JW Marriott Essex House is not adults-only and accepts families.
Explore how Margaritaville Resort Times Square stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·