I’ve walked past The Marlton Hotel in New York City countless times and it’s been recommended to my by several different people. When a flight issue forced me to extend my stay, I finally checked in—using the same VIP benefits I’d book for my clients.

This boutique property delivers Parisian charm in a prime Greenwich Village location, and I’m surprised at how fair the rates are for the neighborhood. Guests enjoy historic character in a cozy, residential-style setting.

My The Marlton Hotel NYC review is written from my Deluxe Queen room on the third floor through the lens of a travel advisor, an NYU parent, and someone who has lived in a hotel. My goal is help you decide if this celebrated hotel is the right New York City base for your trip.

Fantastic Greenwich Village Location

The location of The Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village, New York is, for many, its greatest asset. It sits on West 8th Street, a quieter one-way street, a few minutes’ walk from the iconic arch of Washington Square Park. This neighborhood is the vibrant, bohemian soul of the city, filled with tree-lined streets, historic brownstones, and intimate cafes.

This prime position makes The Marlton Hotel New York an exceptionally convenient base for anyone visiting students at NYU or exploring the legendary restaurants of the West Village. It is very close to a few NYU dorms.

My Arrival Experience

The Marlton showcases its historic character right from the curb. The building, which dates to 1900, was formerly known as the Marlton House and once home to a who’s who of cultural icons. After a full restoration, it reopened in 2013 under the direction of famed hotelier Sean MacPherson.

Inside, the space feels less like a hotel and more like the cozy living room or library of a well-traveled friend. To the right, a large communal table and some mix and match sofas and chairs were dotted with academics, locals and students working quietly on laptops or reading books. To the left, more intimate seating was arranged around a fireplace. A walk-up coffee bar staffed by servers in crisp whites dress shirts and black bow ties fueled the studious guests.

You walk through it to the front desk. The check-in process is charmingly old-school, complete with a key fob dangling off a large metal keychain from a classic wooden key cubby system, reinforcing the hotel’s timeless, residential feel. My benefits were explained and I stepped into the petite elevator and headed up to the third floor.

The Petite Accommodations: Rooms & Suites

The Marlton’s accommodations are famously “petite,” a fact the hotel embraces. The design ethos focuses on maximizing style and comfort within a compact footprint. Every room features herringbone wood floors, custom-built-ins, and marble bathrooms, creating a jewel-box effect.

Inside My Deluxe Queen Room

My home for this stay was Room 310, a Deluxe Queen. Though compact at around 150 square feet, the intelligent design makes it feel cozy and sophisticated. The walls are covered in beautiful wood paneling, which, combined with the herringbone floors and brass lamps, gave me the distinct feeling of being in a chic London flat.

Because of how I booked, I was upgraded from the base-level Queen room I originally reserved. Upon arrival, I also found a bottle of organic rosé chilling in the well-stocked minibar and was granted a late 2 p.m. checkout—all valuable perks of the program.

The standard benefit also includes a minibar credit, but since the hotel was offering a complimentary minibar for all guests during the month of my stay, this was an extra bonus. It had healthy snacks (bars, popcorn), chips, candy, sodas, sparkling water, still water, alcoholic beverages and more.

The queen bed was comfortable (medium firm maybe), with crisp linens elegantly embroidered with “The Marlton.” The marble bathroom features a walk-in shower with okay water pressure and amenities from C.O. Bigelow. Storage is minimal, and the sink is tiny, but it’s perfectly adequate for a short stay.

I always tell people to bring ear plugs to NYC no matter the hotel, and The Marlton is no exception. New Yorker’s love their horns and even though this is a quiet street, the honking started around 8 a.m.

Rooms also come with heat and air conditioning and pretty good blackout shades.

Dining & Drinks: A Relaxed Village Scene

The social heart of the hotel is its all-day French brasserie, Chez Nous, which serves as the Marlton Hotel restaurant and bar, drawing a lively crowd from morning to night.

Chez Nous at The Marlton: Bar, Lounge & Restaurant in One

On a Monday evening around 6:30 p.m., I took the second elevator down and it opened directly into a buzzing bar scene at Chez Nous. Every stool and table was already filled with what looked like a casual but stylish local crowd, not students, but neighbors, professionals, and perhaps a few hotel guests.

Because the bar was full, I moved into the adjacent lounge area to the left, a quieter space with cozy, lots of mix-and-match furniture that feels like a European sitting room. The best part? No matter where you sit — the bar, the lounge, or the dining room to the right — all food and drinks come from the same restaurant kitchen.

I settled into a sofa with my laptop and ordered dinner there. The servers, dressed in crisp white shirts and black bow ties, were attentive but low-key.

I had a glass of Chardonnay and the Salad Niçoise, which was light and really delicious but I couldn’t resist pairing it with a side of French fries with black garlic aioli, which absolutely worth it. The food was excellent across the board.

Breakfast in the Lobby

Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. I chose to eat in the main lobby area, finding a nice table while I waited for my daughter to join me. It’s a quiet, well-lit space in the morning, with many guests working discreetly or reading books.

Hotel guests receive a generous credit (around $36 for two people), which is more than enough to cover an included entrée like the healthy frittata with a side salad I ordered. For those wanting more, you can order items like avocado toast or a full American breakfast for a small additional charge.

The coffee here deserves a special mention; the cappucino, made fresh at the lobby’s dedicated coffee bar, was exceptionally good and a true highlight. And so did my (free) self-serve to-go cup I poured earlier in the morning.

Simple Hotel Amenities

As a historic boutique property, The Marlton focuses on atmosphere and location over an extensive list of amenities.

The greatest of these are its public spaces as I’ve already mentioned, and the lively Chez Nous. Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is also available throughout the hotel.

It is important to note that The Marlton does not have a fitness center or a spa.

There is an ADA compliant Queen room that can be accessed by an ADA compliant elevator. Otherwise, the hallways are narrow. And a ADA-compliant ramp helps people get through the front entrance (I didn’t see this).

Is The Marlton Hotel Good for Families?

If you are a traveling parent and child (two people), it would be absolutely fine to stay here. There are no bathtubs and the rooms are small with a two person occupancy.

Cribs are available you will want to be mindful that since it is a smaller building, I suspect that sound carries further than you might think. And a crib in the room would be a very tight fit.

However, the hotel is an excellent choice for parents visiting their children at NYU, thanks to its proximity to campus and cozy, home-away-from-home feel.

Final Verdict: Who Should Stay Here?

The Marlton Hotel NYC is perfect for the discerning traveler who prizes character and location over sprawling space. The Marlton Hotel prices well usually for its prime location and is ideally suited for:

• Solo Travelers seeking a chic and safe base in a fantastic neighborhood.
• Couples on a romantic city break who plan to spend their days exploring.
• Design-savvy individuals who appreciate historic architecture and thoughtful interiors.
• Parents of NYU students looking for the most convenient place to stay.

I was traveling alone and I did like that it was really easy to just head downstairs to work or eat or have a coffee and not feel awkward sitting alone. A lot of people are in there doing the same thing.

Make Reservations with VIP Amenities

I can secure exclusive perks for your stay at The Marlton Hotel at no extra cost to you. By booking through me, you can enjoy VIP amenities that often include:

• Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in
• Guaranteed 2pm late check-out
• Complimentary bottle of wine in room on arrival
• 25 USD minibar credit per room, per day

More hotels near NYU, Greenwich Village, SoHo and Chinatown that I LOVE: