Blending historic charm with chic, contemporary style, W New York – Union Square occupies a landmark Beaux-Arts building that once housed the Guardian Life Insurance Company. Fresh from a modern redesign, this stylish retreat features sleek interiors, upscale amenities, and a prime location just steps from Union Square Park. Whether you’re drawn to the area’s eclectic dining scene, bustling farmers’ market, or easy access to downtown and midtown Manhattan, the hotel delivers a seamless mix of sophistication and convenience for the modern traveler.
Property Location
W New York – Union Square occupies a prime location at 201 Park Avenue South in Midtown Manhattan directly across Union Square Park, a vibrant urban retreat and historic gathering site, renowned for hosting community events, political demonstrations, and the bustling Union Square Greenmarket.
Situated where the Flatiron District meets Greenwich Village, W Union Square offers easy access to both uptown and downtown attractions, with the 14 St-Union Sq subway station just a short walk away, connecting guests to multiple subway lines (L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 trains). Its strategic position at one of Manhattan’s bustling crossroads places guests in the heart of a neighborhood known for its eclectic dining scene, shopping options and cultural attractions.
Adding to its historical charm, W Union Square occupies the landmark Beaux-Arts building which was originally built in 1911 as the headquarters for Germania Life Insurance Company (later renamed Guardian Life).
Check-In Experience
Stepping into the W New York – Union Square is more than just checking into a hotel, it’s an entry point into the vibrant atmosphere of Union Square. Upon entering the lobby, we were greeted by a striking mural from artist Shantell Martin, featuring her signature black and white lines and thought-provoking phrases.
The lobby’s design immediately catches the eye, with its sweeping, curvaceous staircase and a vibrant carpet that cascades from the steps, creating a seamless flow throughout the space. The absence of sharp angles lends a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
The hotel has recently undergone a complete renovation, reimagined by the original architect, David Rockwell, who brought in a professional choreographer to study movement patterns around the city. Inspired by the dance of New York, the space is a symphony of sensory delights, from the bold textures and vibrant colors to the signature scent, every element contributes to a sophisticated, yet undeniably energetic atmosphere.
The hotel’s welcome desk was not busy when we arrived and their personalized service was immediately apparent at check-in, where I was warmly greeted and thanked for my loyalty as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member. The hotel staff proactively inquired about our specific needs and then followed up our request for vegan restaurant recommendations with a helpful, curated list.
After collecting our room key cards, we took the elevator to our room on the 10th floor and stepped out into an elevator lobby that offered a glimpse into the building’s original design.
The hallway carpet, richly decorated with a floral motif, accompanied us to our room.
Room Quality and Comfort
The Mega Guest Room with Park View (Room 1006) immediately impressed us with its generous proportions. The expansive layout of the 345 sqft room was a welcome increase in space compared to our previous hotel near Central Park in Midtown Manhattan.
The room featured a king-size bed with both soft and firm pillows, plus cushions.
The living area, positioned by the window for optimal views of Lower Manhattan and the surrounding area, featured a curved sofa that comfortably sits four to five adults, a glass coffee table, a solo armchair, and a smaller coffee table with a chessboard imprint.
Speaking of views, our room provided a captivating backdrop to our 5-night stay. From the window, we could see all the way to Downtown Manhattan, with iconic landmarks like One World Trade Center and the distinctive Jenga Tower standing out against the cityscape.
On the glass coffee table sat a sleek looking carafe and tumbler set, which we used to fill up drinking water from the ELKAY water station located down the hallway from our room.
Design lovers will appreciate the room’s stylish decor.
Right beside the room entrance, guests will find a coffee (and tea) corner and minibar, set against a conveniently placed mirror for a quick touch-up before heading out.
Next to the coffee corner is a spacious wardrobe with ample room for clothes, bags, accessories, shoes, and a safe for valuables.
Directly across from the wardrobe is a bathroom with striking black and white striped tiles in the shower, a key element of W Union Square’s refreshed design inspired by its surroundings (more on that later).
The bathroom provided all the basic amenities and ample space for both of us to move around comfortably. We couldn’t help but notice the yellow tap handles on the sink that stood out as an interesting design detail.
W Hotels offers a collection of bathroom amenities by Davines, a B Corp certified brand that is committed to creating a good life for all through beauty, ethics, and sustainability.
W New York – Union Square’s redesigned interiors draw inspiration from its location and surroundings. One example is the bedside table, which represents the first Climate Clock on 14th Street.
Yellow tap handles in the bathroom sink represent New York City’s iconic yellow taxis.
Black and white patterns represent New York City’s crosswalks.
Floral designs represent the Union Square Greenmarket in Union Square Park.
Room entertainment included a wall-mounted smart TV with a wide selection of channels and a Marshall Emberton wireless Bluetooth speaker, which has great sound. However, we discovered the room’s thin walls firsthand when our enjoyment of the speakers (at a reasonable volume) led to a noise complaint.
The room features premium fittings, such as Lutron Caseta light switches with dimming capabilities, allowing us to customize the room lighting according to our preferences.
Wi-Fi speed averaged 20 Mbps throughout our stay, which was sufficient for us to browse the internet and stream videos.
In-line with many Marriott properties, W New York – Union Square offers a Mobile Key that allows guests to unlock their rooms with a smartphone.
iPhone users can create an iOS Shortcut for voice-activated access, by simply saying “Hey Siri, unlock door” to open the Mobile Key in the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Dining Options
During our stay, W New York – Union Square was nearing the completion of its renovation, with construction finalized. However, food and beverage services were temporarily suspended while the hotel awaited the necessary permits. In the meantime, they provided complimentary coffee, tea, and pastries daily at the Welcome Desk.
In the coming months, guests can look forward to Seahorse, a seafood restaurant helmed by John McDonald’s Mercer Street Hospitality. This highly anticipated establishment will feature a full raw bar complemented with produce sourced from Union Square Greenmarket, all within a beautifully designed space boasting rich wooden paneling, intimate lighting, and an expansive central bar.
The hotel’s reimagined Living Room lounge will also soon debut, showcasing the space’s impressive high ceilings and striking Art Deco accents.
Adding to the excitement, W Union Square will soon unveil a brand-new rooftop bar, the first one on Union Square. This transformed rooftop space will feature a state-of-the-art retractable enclosure, offering guests panoramic city views and a unique dining experience.
Onsite Facilities
Guests at the W New York – Union Square have access to a 24-hour fitness center, along with convenient water stations and ice machines. The hotel also provides two Hydromassage chairs in its Wellness Space for relaxation.
Water Stations & Ice Machines
As part of their sustainability efforts, W Union Square has eliminated single-use plastic bottles, providing sleek in-room carafes for guests to refill at ELKAY water stations located on every floor near room 05.
For added convenience, an ice machine is located inside a room right beside the water station.
Fitness Center
FIT, W Union Square’s 24-hour fitness center, is truly impressive for a hotel gym. Located in the basement, it features a comprehensive selection of Technogym cardio and strength equipment, and even has a dedicated Peloton Room.
Wellness Space
Located across from FIT, the Wellness Space offers two Hydromassage chairs, perfect for post-workout recovery. Guests can enjoy complimentary 10-minute sessions, and we found them especially relaxing after a long day of exploring the city.
Customer Service
Our service experience at the W New York – Union Square was mostly positive, with some inconsistencies. From the pre-arrival upgrade confirmation by the W Insider team to the exceptionally warm, personalized welcome at check-in, the hotel made a strong first impression.
We also appreciated the hotel’s thoughtful vegan dining recommendations, their convenient and responsive chat service, and the friendly bellhop who helped us with our luggage during check-out.
That said, some staff interactions were noticeably less warm and more perfunctory, contrasting with the consistently welcoming service we received from the staff member who handled our check-in and greeted us by name throughout our stay.
Loyalty Benefits
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I received a pre-arrival confirmed room upgrade from the Spectacular Guest Room to the slightly larger Mega Guest Room. While I inquired about a suite upgrade, none were available due to the busy post-Thanksgiving travel period.
Other Platinum Elite benefits included guaranteed 4pm late checkout upon request, welcome gift of 1,000 bonus points (in lieu of the unavailable restaurant breakfast), and gift shop discount of 10% on retail merchandise.
Value for Money
Our 5-night stay at W Union Square was paid entirely using 344,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Thanks to the Stay for 5, Pay for 4 benefit available to all Marriott Bonvoy members, we saved nearly 25% off our booking. The program automatically applies the discount to the lowest point-value night when booking five consecutive nights at the same hotel.
In this case, the average nightly rate was 68,800 points, compared to approximately 90,000 points for a single night during the same period. A comparable 5-night cash booking would cost nearly $5,000 USD, making our points redemption worth a solid 1.4 cents per point.
Overall Experience
Overall, we truly enjoyed our stay at the W New York – Union Square. The room experience was exceptional, with an immaculate redesign that breathed new life into this historic property. W Hotels has done a remarkable job refreshing the interiors, creating a modern, stylish, and comfortable environment.
The location was another major highlight. Having Union Square Park right outside, especially with the Union Square Holiday Market in full swing, made the stay even more enjoyable. For essentials, stores like Whole Foods and Target were just a short walk away, and the nearby 14 St-Union Sq subway station made it easy to explore the city.
The service was largely positive, highlighted by the friendly and welcoming front desk staff member who checked us in and consistently provided excellent service throughout our stay. We also appreciated the personalized attention from the W Insider team, who arranged a room upgrade and offered thoughtful vegan recommendations. While some interactions could have been more engaging, these standout experiences truly made our visit memorable.
We would gladly return to W New York – Union Square for its stylish and spacious rooms, convenient location, and easy access to everything Union Square and New York City has to offer. Although dining services are currently suspended, we are eager to experience them on our next visit, particularly the all-weather rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof!
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