When the ball drops on New Year's Eve, Times Square in New York City is the place to be. Everyone should see the ball drop over Times Square with their own eyes at least once. Of course, room service champagne and a private bathroom might just enhance the experience. For those with an aversion to crowds and porta-potties, a room with a view of history might just be the VIP ticket. According to the Times Square Alliance, there are four hotel with rooms offering a view of the famous ball drop.. Rooms with a view can cost thousands of dollars more than the regular rate but there is plenty of time to save up because those rooms often sell out more than two years in advance.
Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel (marriott.com), which rises 26 stories above Times Square, is both a landmark and a perfect perch to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve. The Renaissance has limited numbers of rooms with a view of the Times Square Ball Drop. According to the hotel, reservations for rooms with a view must be made at least two years in advance. The price of admission to the Renaissance's private ball drop viewing party on New Year's Eve is more than $2000 per person and does not include overnight accommodations.
The New York Marriott Marquis (marriott.com) is the most iconic hotel in Times Square. The hotel's famous marquee can be seen in nearly every live New Year's Eve broadcast from Times Square. The hotel stretches 45 stories above its famous facade. The Marquis has nearly 2000 guest rooms, nearly a third of which have Times Square views. Rooms can be reserved 50 weeks in advance. According to the hotel, rooms with a view of the ball dropping sell out almost as soon as they are made available, with all rooms selling out before the end of January.
The Novotel New York Times Square (accorhotels.com) is slightly farther away from the New Year's Eve ball drop than the other Times Square view hotels mentioned. This makes for even better views of the ball drop. The reservationist audibly laughed over the phone when asked in late June if there were rooms with a view of Times Square available on New Year's Eve. The hotel sells out completely for New Year's Eve by the end of January every year. The Novotel was voted "Best New Year's Eve" by readers of "Time Out New York."
Double Tree Suites by Hilton Hotel New York City Times Square (Hilton.com) offers one of the best views of the Times Square New Year's festivities. Soaring 45 stories above Times Square and steps from the site of the ball drop, the Double Tree Suites is in the very heart of things. The Double Tree Times Square should not be confused with the Double Tree Times Square South which does not offer a view of the ball drop.
The 43 guest rooms at the Casablanca Hotel (casablancahotel.com) in Times Square do not have a view of the ball dropping on New Year's Eve, but the hotel staff will escort guests to the hotel's roof in time to ring in the New Year. New Year's Eve rooms sell out more than a year in advance and require a 4-day stay. During the New Year's holiday, all guests in the hotel must be at least 21 years of age. Reservations including New Year's Eve are non-refundable.
