---
title: "Motto by Hilton Chelsea vs Hotel Riu Plaza Times Square"
description: "Chelsea High Line against Times Square doorstep — Flatiron at 0.2 km against the square at 0.1 km — gallery walks versus Broadway nights."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/hotels/new-york/compare/motto-by-hilton-new-york-city-chelsea-vs-hotel-riu-plaza-manhattan-times-square/"
type: "hotel comparison"
reviewed_on: "2026-08-06"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Motto by Hilton Chelsea vs Hotel Riu Plaza Times Square

Chelsea High Line against Times Square doorstep — Flatiron at 0.2 km against the square at 0.1 km — gallery walks versus Broadway nights.

## Why this pair

Same four-star band, opposite Midtown maps. Readers shortlist both when deciding whether the High Line or the Theatre District should own the week; pairing either with a further-out borough hotel would not answer that.

## Verdict

Motto if High Line, Flatiron and flat 10 category scores are the bet — with limited space still named; Riu if Times Square at 0.1 km and a 13,923-review sample matter more than room quality at 8.04.

Position is the fork. Motto puts the High Line and Flatiron at 0.2 km and Times Square at 1.7 km; Riu puts Times Square at 0.1 km, Rockefeller Center at 0.6 km and MoMA at 0.7 km. Location scores 10 against 9.59 — both strong, aimed at different streets.

Supplier ratings: 10 out of 10 from 4,105 reviews at Motto against 9 from 13,923 at Riu, captured 18 December 2025 and 6 January 2026. Motto’s flat 10s sit beside a limited-space highlight; Riu’s room quality is 8.04 with size issues in multi-bed rooms, and parking difficulties are a named con.

Facilities: Motto lists restaurant, bar, terrace, fitness centre and pets allowed; Riu lists fitness centre, snack bar, wheelchair-accessible restaurant and eco amenities. Neither lists a pool in the facility sets we cite. Motto checks in from 03:00 PM; Riu from 04:00 PM — both check out by 12:00 PM.

Sample size favours Riu heavily. Motto wins the cleaner category story if you accept that flat 10s still carry a small-room caveat; Riu wins if Broadway doorstep and review volume are the product.

**Best for:**
- Choosing between a Chelsea High Line base and a Times Square theatre base
- Travellers weighing Motto’s flat 10s against Riu’s larger review sample

**Not for:**
- Anyone who needs a pool — neither lists one in the cited facility sets
- Guests who need large rooms — limited space at Motto and size issues at Riu are both named

## Head to head

| Criterion | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea | Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official classification | 4-star | 4-star | tie |
| Position | 113 West 24th Street, Chelsea. High Line 0.2 km, Flatiron 0.2 km, Times Square 1.7 km. | 145 West 47th Street. Times Square 0.1 km, Rockefeller Center 0.6 km, MoMA 0.7 km. | tie |
| Supplier rating (our hotel data provider, /10 — display only) | 10 from 4,105 reviews, as of 18 December 2025 | 9 from 13,923 reviews, as of 6 January 2026 | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Location (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 10 — High Line / Flatiron | 9.59 — Times Square / Midtown | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Room quality (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 10 — limited space still named | 8.04 — size issues in multi-bed rooms | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Service (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 10 | 9.55 | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| What guests complain about | Limited space in guest rooms (one review) | Room size; parking difficulties | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Pets | Pets allowed | Not in first 25 amenities cited | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Check-in | From 03:00 PM | From 04:00 PM | Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea |
| Review sample size | 4,105 reviews | 13,923 reviews | Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square |

## Which is better for Times Square?

Hotel Riu Plaza — Times Square is 0.1 km against 1.7 km at Motto by Hilton Chelsea. Motto wins the High Line and Flatiron at 0.2 km each.

## Which has better guest scores?

Motto on the headline — 10 out of 10 from 4,105 reviews against 9 from 13,923 at the Riu, as of 18 December 2025 and 6 January 2026. Riu’s room quality at 8.04 is the clearer soft spot; Motto still carries a limited-space caveat beneath the flat 10s.

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