I know a lot of people like to stay in Midtown because there’s a lot of touristy things there, but frankly it’s noisier and not necessarily the best option.

I like to stay in Manhattan, but either upper west side or upper east side if possible or, Chelsea or below. A little less crazy than the 42nd St., Port Authority, Rockefeller Center Times Square BS.

Not Marriott but I've stayed in the following places with my teen / preteen and it has been perfect

The Franklin Hotel - Lower East Side
https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/new-york/nycvo/hoteldetail

Millennium Hilton - opposite WTC
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/nycuphh-millennium-hilton-new-york-one-un-plaza/

and completely different - the Lucerne on the upper West side near the park / playgrounds and Natural History Museum.
https://thelucernehotel.com/?utm_campaign=Google%20My%20Business&utm_source=google&utm_medium=Local%20Search