The Empire State Building sits at the core of Midtown Manhattan, one of the densest and most transit-connected corridors in New York City. Choosing a Courtyard by Marriott for this trip means consistent room standards, reliable Wi-Fi, and fitness access - without the unpredictability of independent properties. This guide compares all six Courtyard locations within reach of the Empire State Building, from a 1-minute subway ride in Midtown East to cross-river options in New Jersey, helping you decide which location actually fits your itinerary and budget.
What It's Like Staying Near the Empire State Building
The blocks surrounding the Empire State Building - roughly 34th Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues - sit at the intersection of Midtown's commercial and tourist activity. The area runs at full pace from early morning through late evening, with foot traffic from Penn Station commuters, Macy's shoppers, and office workers making the sidewalks consistently busy. The 34th Street subway hub connects B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, and 3 trains, meaning almost any Manhattan neighborhood is reachable within around 20 minutes.
Noise levels are notably higher on avenues versus side streets - hotels on 35th or 36th Street tend to offer more acoustic insulation than those directly on Sixth or Seventh Avenue. The area suits travelers whose itinerary is Manhattan-centric, particularly those visiting Midtown attractions like the High Line, Hudson Yards, or Times Square. Travelers prioritizing quiet evenings or a neighborhood atmosphere may find the density more disruptive than practical.
Pros:
* Unmatched subway connectivity - multiple lines accessible within a short walk, eliminating reliance on taxis or ride-shares
* Walking access to Macy's Herald Square, Koreatown on 32nd Street, and Penn Station without transit
* Hotels in this zone benefit from 24-hour street activity, making late arrivals and early departures logistically uncomplicated
Cons:
* Street noise on major avenues is constant and not always resolved by standard hotel glazing
* Hotel rates spike sharply during Midtown peak seasons - spring and fall - compared to outer borough or New Jersey alternatives
* Sidewalk congestion near the Empire State Building entrance on 34th Street can make simple errands time-consuming during peak tourist hours
Why Choose a Courtyard by Marriott Near the Empire State Building
Courtyard by Marriott properties in the New York metro area position themselves as structured, mid-range business-and-leisure hotels - a category that avoids the unpredictability of boutique properties while staying below full-service Marriott pricing. In the Midtown and surrounding zones, this translates to rooms that are compact but functionally equipped, with consistent desk setups, flat-screen TVs, fitness centers, and on-site Starbucks or bistro outlets that reduce the need to navigate crowded street-level options at 7am. Free Wi-Fi across all Courtyard locations listed here makes them particularly effective for remote workers or business travelers who need reliable connectivity without add-on charges.
The trade-off in a high-demand zone like Midtown is room size - Manhattan Courtyard rooms typically run smaller than suburban counterparts, and the price-per-square-foot ratio will feel less favorable compared to New Jersey alternatives. However, the time saved by eliminating a daily PATH or ferry commute often justifies the premium for short stays. Nightly rates at Manhattan Courtyard properties near the Empire State Building can run around 40% higher than equivalent Courtyard properties across the Hudson River.
Pros:
* Standardized room quality across all properties removes guesswork when booking without a site visit
* Marriott Bonvoy point accumulation makes these properties attractive for frequent travelers consolidating loyalty stays
* On-site fitness centers and business centers reduce dependency on third-party services during working trips
Cons:
* Manhattan locations offer smaller room footprints - not suitable for extended stays requiring living space
* Parking is limited or absent at Manhattan properties, making car-based travelers dependent on expensive nearby garages
* Breakfast is available but not always complimentary - a cost that adds up quickly across multi-night stays in a high-price market
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
For the closest possible proximity to the Empire State Building, hotels on or near 34th Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenues give immediate walking access - the building's main entrance is at 350 Fifth Avenue, and the surrounding blocks are fully walkable. Midtown East, specifically the corridor around 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue, sits about a 15-minute walk south to the Empire State Building but offers a noticeably quieter atmosphere and slightly lower nightly rates than the immediate 34th Street zone. The 6 train from 53rd Street reaches 33rd Street in under 10 minutes, making it a practical trade-off between proximity and street noise.
Beyond Manhattan, Jersey City and Edgewater properties require a PATH train or ferry crossing - the Newport PATH station in Jersey City connects to 33rd Street Manhattan in around 25 minutes total door-to-platform-to-street, which is manageable for a 3-night stay but adds friction on a 1-night layover. Book Manhattan Courtyard properties at least 6 weeks ahead for travel in September and October when Midtown hotel demand peaks with the UN General Assembly and fall business travel. The area around the Empire State Building also gives walking access to Bryant Park, the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, and the Koreatown restaurant cluster on 32nd Street - all within 10 minutes on foot. For a broader Midtown base, the Chelsea location near Penn Station adds easy access to the High Line and Hudson Yards without sacrificing transit connectivity. Side streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in the 35th-37th Street range consistently offer lower ambient noise than the avenue-facing blocks - worth filtering for when selecting your specific room during booking.
Best Manhattan Options Close to the Empire State Building
These three Manhattan Courtyard properties offer the most direct access to the Empire State Building - all reachable without a river crossing - and represent the strongest choice for travelers prioritizing Midtown proximity and urban convenience.
-
1. Courtyard New York Manhattan/Midtown East
Show on map
-
2. Courtyard By Marriott New York Manhattan/Chelsea
Show on map
-
3. Courtyard New York Manhattan/SoHo
Show on map
Best Cross-River Options for Lower Rates With NYC Access
These three Courtyard properties sit outside Manhattan - in the Upper East Side and across the Hudson River - offering lower nightly rates at the cost of an additional transit leg to reach the Empire State Building.
-
4. Courtyard By Marriott New York Manhattan Upper East Side
Show on map
-
5. Courtyard By Marriott Jersey City Newport
Show on map
-
6. Courtyard By Marriott Edgewater Nyc Area
Show on map
Smart Travel Timing for Empire State Building Stays
The Empire State Building draws visitors year-round, but hotel rates and crowd density around Midtown Manhattan follow predictable seasonal patterns. September and October represent the most expensive and crowded booking window - the UN General Assembly, fall fashion events, and peak business travel converge to push Manhattan hotel rates to their annual high, with Midtown properties often selling out 6 weeks or more in advance. January and February offer the most favorable pricing and thinner crowds, though the Empire State Building observation deck experience in winter requires planning around shorter daylight hours and wind chill at the 86th-floor open-air deck.
Spring shoulder season - late March through May - offers a practical balance: rates are lower than fall, crowds are manageable before the summer tourist influx, and the observation deck conditions are generally favorable. Summer brings the highest tourist volume to the Empire State Building itself, with queues for the observation deck extending significantly, but hotel rates can be negotiated more easily on weekdays when business travel drops. A 2-night minimum stay is the practical floor for Manhattan Courtyard properties - enough to cover the Empire State Building, at least one additional Midtown attraction, and offset the per-night rate premium versus longer stays. For cross-river options in Jersey City or Edgewater, last-minute bookings are more viable since demand pressure is lower, but Manhattan Courtyard properties require early commitment during any Midtown peak period.
