Holiday NYC - hotel location

[sawseesaw]

I'm going to NYC next month. I've booked a very nice looking hotel. It was advertised as Midtown.
I've now realised it's very close to Times Square (like 4/5 minutes walk close) and I've read dire warnings on here.
Is it really that bad? I live in a UK city with lots of homelessness and drug use, as in it smells of weed everywhere and before that lived in Central London for many years. Are we going to find it scary and shocking? or just a normal big city?
We won't be out very late, unlikely to be past midnight on any of the nights.

We went in 2018 and stayed just off Times Square ... unless it's changed dramatically in that short time, you'll be fine. It was busy and loud in the square but fine down the side roads and I didn't feel unsafe. I went out on my own one night, it was fine.

Thank you, yes it's the - has it 'changed dramatically' that I was wondering. I should have put that I was there in 2019 and as BigSandyBalls just put, it was busy and loud - fine by me and felt very safe.
It was just some of the messages sounded like it actually has changed dramatically since Covid.

its fine - its still busy and yeah theres a smell of weed but i wouldnt say its changed that dramatically if you already live in a big city

I disagree, just got back and wouldn't stay anywhere near time square if you can help it. Midtown on the whole is the noisiest/smelliest place but central for walking about. When I got back I'd stay anywhere but!!

What direction from TS is it?

Oh bum, name change fail! Not that it was really necessary!
It's East by about a block. Nothing negative in any reviews regarding location being sketchy.

Well that's the best direction I'd say, and near the lovely library!

Beautiful library. I cannot work out film/ series I saw it in recently, but definitely recognise it.

We went last year and stayed in the Crown Plaza with a view right over Times Square. Loved the location! Right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Felt very safe and wandered about late at night with our kids without ever feeling worried or unsafe.

I just stayed 3 blocks west of Times Square and the number of people in the area who are clearly falling through the cracks felt very noticeable (and I live in London). That being said, I didn't feel threatened and wasn't approached other than one man asking me to buy him a waffle in a coffee shop. I'd say just take the precautions you would in any major city. It does have the advantage of being very walkable, I barely took the Subway. Have a great trip!

Thanks everyone for your replies.

if it was 2019 when you went last then your expectations will be fine - apart from the smell of weed which is really overbearing in Times Square itself. Staying a few blocks away then you’ll be fine. Don’t forget, it’s a great central location and easy to get everywhere from there.

We stayed there this summer and next summer we have booked to stay in SoHo. Just looking for a different vibe.

I absolutely hate Times Square with a passion - we always stay in the Greenwich Village/Meat Packing District areas. The Standard High Line is really nice.

I stayed just off TS in May and it was fine. I never felt unsafe. Be prepared for the cost of food and drink though as it was v v expensive much more so than we expected.

I always choose to be near times Square. It's a great location

It’s just noisy, a bit grim and the restaurants are a lot of shit chains. It’s not dangerous though. Upside is it’ll be easy to get to all the usual tourist stuff. Just request a hotel room on a high floor so you don’t get too much street noise and it’ll be fine, not great, but fine.