Hyatt Centric Times Square New York

We’ll spare you a complete explanation of the Hyatt family tree — what matters here is that Hyatt Centric is the hospitality giant’s sub-brand that’s most focused on a design-sensitive but luxury-agnostic youth market. The appeal: a comfortable but relatively low-frills hotel in a convenient location that looks like it was designed by someone who’s seen colors other than beige and brown. It shouldn’t be as difficult as it apparently is, but the good news is that Hyatt Centric Times Square has cracked the code.

The style is familiar to anyone with boutique-hotel experience, and unlike some New York boutiques it’s exceedingly accessible and approachable — you’ll never feel underdressed or unhip here. The rooms, perhaps surprisingly, are generously sized, and the décor keeps things light and breezy. Some of the views are impressively far-ranging, and even the entry-level rooms come with thoughtful conveniences like Keurig coffee makers and JBL wireless speakers.

The location might not be in the hippest corner of town, but you know what you’re getting into with Times Square: for tourists and first-timers it’s impossible to top, and the transit links are plentiful. The restaurant, T45, and the rooftop Bar 54 are a significant step up from the chain restaurants that surround Times Square — though if you’ve got a particular craving, the hotel works with the Grubhub delivery service to bring you whatever your appetite desires.