Paramount Hotel New York Review: Location, Ownership & Safety

The Paramount Times Square — a Generator Hotel property — sits less than a block from the neon glow of Times Square, offering 605 rooms in a building that dates to 1928 and was designed by noted theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb. On Booking.com, the hotel earns a 6.6/10 overall from more than 4,000 reviews, with guests consistently praising its central location while noting that rooms are compact and basic. This review examines guest satisfaction, location details, ownership history, and neighborhood safety to help you decide whether the Paramount is the right fit for your New York stay.

Last checked: 2026-06-08

Hotel Name: Paramount Times Square (A Generator Hotel) · Location: Theater District, New York City, less than a block from Times Square · Room Count: 605 · Key Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, striking lobby bar · Distance to Times Square: 558 ft (170 m)

Is Paramount Times Square a good hotel?

Answering that question depends heavily on what you prioritise. On Booking.com, the Paramount’s overall score of 6.6/10 lands in middling territory. Dig into the sub-scores and a clear split emerges: location earns a 9.1/10, while value for money sits at roughly 6.4/10. Cleanliness and comfort score around 7.1–7.2/10, staff ratings reach 7.9/10, and free Wi‑Fi performs at 7.7/10, according to the same platform.

On TripAdvisor, the picture is less flattering. The hotel ranks near the bottom of New York City properties — one forum contributor noted it sits around #458 out of 537 NYC hotels, adding: “My thoughts on the Paramont Times Square ~~pass. I wouldn’t stay there” (TripAdvisor Forum). The main TripAdvisor review page shows a recurring pattern: guests praise the lively lobby and bar ambience but describe the rooms as small, dated, and light on amenities (TripAdvisor).

“The lobby earns rave reviews for its vibrant atmosphere, yet the rooms are criticized for being small, dated, and lacking amenities.”

— TripAdvisor editorial summary of guest reviews

Hotels.com reviews echo the same trade-off: clean, basic rooms with minimal extras — one guest noted a clean room with TV, bed, closet, chair, and bathtub at a good price but “few amenities,” even needing to request paper cups (Hotels.com). The official site, by contrast, markets the property as “stylish rooms and a striking lobby bar” (Paramount Times Square official site).

The pattern is consistent across platforms: the Paramount delivers on location and lobby atmosphere but falls short on room size and in-room amenities relative to price. The bottom line: if you want a social, design-led base steps from Broadway and don’t mind compact quarters, the Paramount can work. If spacious rooms and full-service amenities matter more, you may want to look elsewhere.

Guest ratings breakdown

How far is Paramount Hotel from Central Park?

The Paramount Times Square sits about 1.5 miles south of Central Park’s southern edge at 59th Street. Walking the distance takes roughly 30 minutes via 6th Avenue or Broadway, making it a feasible stroll on a pleasant day. Five distinct travel modes connect the hotel to the park.

Travel options from Paramount Times Square to Central Park

The Theatre District location means the hotel is also within walking distance of Broadway theatres, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall. Multiple OTA reviews highlight this central access as the property’s primary draw. The implication: the Paramount is well suited for travellers who want to spend their days exploring Midtown on foot rather than relying on transit for every outing.

Who owns the Paramount Hotel in New York?

The property now operates as Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel, part of the Generator hostel-and-hotel brand. The Generator portfolio focuses on design-forward, social-lobby accommodations that blend hostel-style common spaces with private hotel rooms. The official site positions the Paramount as a “stylish” property with a lively bar at its centre.

Before the Generator rebranding, the building was known simply as the Paramount Hotel. Its history stretches back to 1928, when it was constructed as part of the expansion of the Times Square theatre district. The building was designed by Thomas W. Lamb, a prominent theatre architect responsible for many of New York’s historic movie palaces. From roughly 1938 through 1951, the basement housed the Diamond Horseshoe nightclub, a well-known variety-show venue.

“Upscale hotel near Broadway.”

— Expedia property description

What to watch: the Generator brand brings a specific style — trendy, lobby-centric, social — that suits some travellers but may surprise guests expecting a traditional full-service hotel. The historic building adds character but also means smaller room footprints typical of late‑1920s construction.

Is Times Square safe at night?

Times Square remains one of the most heavily policed public spaces in New York City. A visible NYPD presence, along with extensive CCTV coverage, operates around the clock. The pedestrian plazas stay crowded until late — typically past midnight on weekends — which contributes to a general sense of safety for tourists.

The Paramount’s location at 235 West 46th Street places it just off the main thoroughfare, on a quieter block of the Theatre District. Multiple OTA and forum reviews do not flag safety as a recurring concern for the immediate area around the hotel. Standard urban precautions apply: keep valuables secure, stay aware of your surroundings, and stick to well-lit streets. The bottom line: for the vast majority of visitors, the area around the Paramount is considered safe at night by typical city standards.

Pricing band: what to expect

While exact nightly rates fluctuate by season, demand, and room type, guest reviews and OTA listings consistently place the Paramount in the mid-range to upper-mid-range bracket for Times Square-area hotels. The relatively modest value-for-money score of 6.4/10 on Booking.com suggests that many guests feel the room size and amenities don’t fully match the price point. Prices tend to be lower than full-service upscale competitors in the immediate vicinity — a trade-off for the compact rooms and social-lobby concept. For current rates, check the official site or your preferred booking platform.

Specifications: Paramount Times Square

Pros and cons of Paramount Times Square

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Frequently asked questions

Sources cited

This article draws on the following sources for its factual claims. All data was current as of July 2025.

• Expedia – Paramount Times Square property information
• Hotels.com – Paramount Times Square guest reviews
• Paramount Times Square official site (StayGenerator)
• YouTube room-tour and review (building history and Diamond Horseshoe details)