Is InterContinental Truly Luxury—Or Simply IHG’s Best-Dressed Brand?
The Hotel
Tucked away on East 48th Street, the iconic 702-room Barclay was designed in 1926 as part of the visionary Grand Central Terminal project. Championed by Walter Chrysler and built for affluent rail travellers, it once offered underground access to Grand Central. The location is prime Midtown, but thankfully far removed from the fluorescent chaos of Times Square.
Its legacy is unmistakable, with ties to the Vanderbilts and the original Waldorf Astoria. Over the decades, its guestbook has included cultural icons like Ernest Hemingway and Gloria Swanson. The hotel later joined the InterContinental Hotels Group, a brand originally conceived by aviation pioneer Juan Trippe of Pan Am, whose jet-set vision lives on today.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I use Propeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The Vibe and Who are You Likely to See There
With over 700 rooms, the hotel is always busy. The guests are classic Midtown: primarily corporate business travellers and families who know enough to avoid the tourist traps of Times Square. The hotel successfully manages to handle both the expense account crowd and the well-planned family holiday. In the evenings, the cocktail bar in the lobby is buzzy and it’s elegant but relaxed..
The First Impression 5/10
I stepped into the grand reception area, but the hotel’s storied past is now bathed in the cold light of aggressively modern LEDs. It’s bright, clinical, and completely pulls you out of the warm nostalgia that the architecture promises.
Entrance lobby at InterContinental Barclay New York
This was quickly followed by the failure of the exclusive check-in desk for Virtuoso and IHG status guests. I waited, only to be informed that the dedicated staff member had “stepped away.” The promised refined welcome immediately landed me at the back of the queue, turning a moment of prestige into a frustrating delay.
Finally, after navigating the queue, check-in concludes with the compulsory “amenity fee.” This substantial charge is silently bolted onto your bill. While it offers small credits (dining, minibar), the perks were not fully explained. In a hotel that trades on heritage, this detracts from a premium stay.
The Rooms 8/10
The frustrating long wait for the lift—a recurring theme during the stay—finally ends as you step onto the guest floor, where the atmosphere is entirely different. The hallways are warm, quiet, and offer the kind of subtle nostalgia that the lobby’s cold LEDs erased.
Guest Hallway at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The rooms are generously sized by New York standards, a welcome relic of the 1920s. They are comfortable, quiet, and retain a classic design. While the bed provided a comfortable night’s sleep, the missing crisp, high-thread-count linens just fell short of feeling the true luxury standard.
Guest Bedroom at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The bathrooms, however, are where The Barclay earns its 8/10. Everything is tastefully finished with Art Deco cues. They are well-stocked with BYREDO products and a rare, generous array of branded amenities—a distinctive touch for a hotel that’s part of a 6,000-property global group.
In-room amenities include a fairly standard.mini bar. Tip: Since you were almost certainly charged the opaque amenity fee, make the most of the minibar credit—a small way to reclaim some value and treat yourself.
The Facilities 7/10
The fitness centre is relatively compact given the hotel’s scale, but it’s clean and functional and many guests are more likely to get their exercise walking to Central Park or hitting the city’s landmarks. It lacks the refined touches expected at this level, such as fresh fruit or snacks, highlighting the difference between premium and luxury.
The Service 6/10
The service is a reality of a 700-room hotel in New York City: while every staff member I encountered was pleasant, they were also stretched, particularly during peak times. The entire operation is fast-paced, and undeniably manic Manhattan.
The Barclay sells history and comfort, but it falls short on the service test that defines true luxury. If you require staff to move mountains before you even ask, you will find it just out of reach. This is efficient and not seamless luxury.
The Dining 7/10
The bar benefits from the hotel’s scale, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for unwinding, though the cocktails themselves were fairly average. The service, however, is undermined by big corporation rules: accompanying bar snacks were only offered if you produced an IHG loyalty voucher. It’s hard to feel truly pampered when you’re rummaging for a slip of paper just to earn a handful of cashews. Tip: This is a perfect way to use that amenity fee credit for evening cocktails.
Breakfast is where the dining experience truly fails. Served buffet-style at a price reflecting its Midtown address, the spread is generous but uninspired. As a solo diner, I was directed to the bar—where I was promptly forgotten. No offer of a second coffee, no water or juice top-ups, and a complete lack of attentiveness. In a hotel of this stature, service shouldn’t depend on how many are dining.
The Attention To Detail 7/10
There are moments when The Barclay gets the details right: a collection of umbrellas and thoughtfully laid out daily newspapers offer an elegant, practical nod to New York weather.
But the hotel’s scale often undermines the effort. I witnessed a staggering 26 guests queuing to check out, with many reception desks unmanned. Ironically, the in-room TV offered a smooth digital checkout—a feature that was never mentioned at check-in. Perhaps that crowd was there to question the sting in the tail of their stay: the ever-mysterious ‘amenity fee.’
There is no morning coffee cart. When I inquired, I was told to either wait for the bar to open or head to a nearby Starbucks. At an upper-tier hotel, a simple fresh brew at dawn should not require a detour, especially when luxury competitors offer both in-room and lobby coffee.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? Yes. The InterContinental New York Barclay offers a refined, comfortable experience in the heart of the city, but it’s not The Four Seasons or Peninsula. And neither is the price tag.
Stay Here For A good-value, premium hotel with historic charm and a prime location near Midtown and Grand Central Station.
Don’t Stay Here For A feeling of exclusivity or true luxury—and definitely not if hidden amenity fees leave a bad taste at checkout.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Luxury Reviews Says 7/10
Is InterContinental Truly Luxury—Or Simply IHG’s Best-Dressed Brand?
The Hotel
Tucked away on East 48th Street, the iconic 702-room Barclay was designed in 1926 as part of the visionary Grand Central Terminal project. Championed by Walter Chrysler and built for affluent rail travellers, it once offered underground access to Grand Central. The location is prime Midtown, but thankfully far removed from the fluorescent chaos of Times Square.
Its legacy is unmistakable, with ties to the Vanderbilts and the original Waldorf Astoria. Over the decades, its guestbook has included cultural icons like Ernest Hemingway and Gloria Swanson. The hotel later joined the InterContinental Hotels Group, a brand originally conceived by aviation pioneer Juan Trippe of Pan Am, whose jet-set vision lives on today.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I use Propeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The Vibe and Who are You Likely to See There
With over 700 rooms, the hotel is always busy. The guests are classic Midtown: primarily corporate business travellers and families who know enough to avoid the tourist traps of Times Square. The hotel successfully manages to handle both the expense account crowd and the well-planned family holiday. In the evenings, the cocktail bar in the lobby is buzzy and it’s elegant but relaxed..
The First Impression 5/10
I stepped into the grand reception area, but the hotel’s storied past is now bathed in the cold light of aggressively modern LEDs. It’s bright, clinical, and completely pulls you out of the warm nostalgia that the architecture promises.
Entrance lobby at InterContinental Barclay New York
This was quickly followed by the failure of the exclusive check-in desk for Virtuoso and IHG status guests. I waited, only to be informed that the dedicated staff member had “stepped away.” The promised refined welcome immediately landed me at the back of the queue, turning a moment of prestige into a frustrating delay.
Finally, after navigating the queue, check-in concludes with the compulsory “amenity fee.” This substantial charge is silently bolted onto your bill. While it offers small credits (dining, minibar), the perks were not fully explained. In a hotel that trades on heritage, this detracts from a premium stay.
The Rooms 8/10
The frustrating long wait for the lift—a recurring theme during the stay—finally ends as you step onto the guest floor, where the atmosphere is entirely different. The hallways are warm, quiet, and offer the kind of subtle nostalgia that the lobby’s cold LEDs erased.
Guest Hallway at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The rooms are generously sized by New York standards, a welcome relic of the 1920s. They are comfortable, quiet, and retain a classic design. While the bed provided a comfortable night’s sleep, the missing crisp, high-thread-count linens just fell short of feeling the true luxury standard.
Guest Bedroom at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The bathrooms, however, are where The Barclay earns its 8/10. Everything is tastefully finished with Art Deco cues. They are well-stocked with BYREDO products and a rare, generous array of branded amenities—a distinctive touch for a hotel that’s part of a 6,000-property global group.
In-room amenities include a fairly standard.mini bar. Tip: Since you were almost certainly charged the opaque amenity fee, make the most of the minibar credit—a small way to reclaim some value and treat yourself.
The Facilities 7/10
The fitness centre is relatively compact given the hotel’s scale, but it’s clean and functional and many guests are more likely to get their exercise walking to Central Park or hitting the city’s landmarks. It lacks the refined touches expected at this level, such as fresh fruit or snacks, highlighting the difference between premium and luxury.
The Service 6/10
The service is a reality of a 700-room hotel in New York City: while every staff member I encountered was pleasant, they were also stretched, particularly during peak times. The entire operation is fast-paced, and undeniably manic Manhattan.
The Barclay sells history and comfort, but it falls short on the service test that defines true luxury. If you require staff to move mountains before you even ask, you will find it just out of reach. This is efficient and not seamless luxury.
The Dining 7/10
The bar benefits from the hotel’s scale, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for unwinding, though the cocktails themselves were fairly average. The service, however, is undermined by big corporation rules: accompanying bar snacks were only offered if you produced an IHG loyalty voucher. It’s hard to feel truly pampered when you’re rummaging for a slip of paper just to earn a handful of cashews. Tip: This is a perfect way to use that amenity fee credit for evening cocktails.
Breakfast is where the dining experience truly fails. Served buffet-style at a price reflecting its Midtown address, the spread is generous but uninspired. As a solo diner, I was directed to the bar—where I was promptly forgotten. No offer of a second coffee, no water or juice top-ups, and a complete lack of attentiveness. In a hotel of this stature, service shouldn’t depend on how many are dining.
The Attention To Detail 7/10
There are moments when The Barclay gets the details right: a collection of umbrellas and thoughtfully laid out daily newspapers offer an elegant, practical nod to New York weather.
But the hotel’s scale often undermines the effort. I witnessed a staggering 26 guests queuing to check out, with many reception desks unmanned. Ironically, the in-room TV offered a smooth digital checkout—a feature that was never mentioned at check-in. Perhaps that crowd was there to question the sting in the tail of their stay: the ever-mysterious ‘amenity fee.’
There is no morning coffee cart. When I inquired, I was told to either wait for the bar to open or head to a nearby Starbucks. At an upper-tier hotel, a simple fresh brew at dawn should not require a detour, especially when luxury competitors offer both in-room and lobby coffee.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? Yes. The InterContinental New York Barclay offers a refined, comfortable experience in the heart of the city, but it’s not The Four Seasons or Peninsula. And neither is the price tag.
Stay Here For A good-value, premium hotel with historic charm and a prime location near Midtown and Grand Central Station.
Don’t Stay Here For A feeling of exclusivity or true luxury—and definitely not if hidden amenity fees leave a bad taste at checkout.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Luxury Reviews Says 7/10
Is InterContinental Truly Luxury—Or Simply IHG’s Best-Dressed Brand?
The Hotel
Tucked away on East 48th Street, the iconic 702-room Barclay was designed in 1926 as part of the visionary Grand Central Terminal project. Championed by Walter Chrysler and built for affluent rail travellers, it once offered underground access to Grand Central. The location is prime Midtown, but thankfully far removed from the fluorescent chaos of Times Square.
Its legacy is unmistakable, with ties to the Vanderbilts and the original Waldorf Astoria. Over the decades, its guestbook has included cultural icons like Ernest Hemingway and Gloria Swanson. The hotel later joined the InterContinental Hotels Group, a brand originally conceived by aviation pioneer Juan Trippe of Pan Am, whose jet-set vision lives on today.
As with all luxury stays, it’s worth booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor. I use Propeller Travel, (click here). Perks often include upgrades, resort credit, and breakfast for two.
The Vibe and Who are You Likely to See There
With over 700 rooms, the hotel is always busy. The guests are classic Midtown: primarily corporate business travellers and families who know enough to avoid the tourist traps of Times Square. The hotel successfully manages to handle both the expense account crowd and the well-planned family holiday. In the evenings, the cocktail bar in the lobby is buzzy and it’s elegant but relaxed..
The First Impression 5/10
I stepped into the grand reception area, but the hotel’s storied past is now bathed in the cold light of aggressively modern LEDs. It’s bright, clinical, and completely pulls you out of the warm nostalgia that the architecture promises.
Entrance lobby at InterContinental Barclay New York
This was quickly followed by the failure of the exclusive check-in desk for Virtuoso and IHG status guests. I waited, only to be informed that the dedicated staff member had “stepped away.” The promised refined welcome immediately landed me at the back of the queue, turning a moment of prestige into a frustrating delay.
Finally, after navigating the queue, check-in concludes with the compulsory “amenity fee.” This substantial charge is silently bolted onto your bill. While it offers small credits (dining, minibar), the perks were not fully explained. In a hotel that trades on heritage, this detracts from a premium stay.
The Rooms 8/10
The frustrating long wait for the lift—a recurring theme during the stay—finally ends as you step onto the guest floor, where the atmosphere is entirely different. The hallways are warm, quiet, and offer the kind of subtle nostalgia that the lobby’s cold LEDs erased.
Guest Hallway at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The rooms are generously sized by New York standards, a welcome relic of the 1920s. They are comfortable, quiet, and retain a classic design. While the bed provided a comfortable night’s sleep, the missing crisp, high-thread-count linens just fell short of feeling the true luxury standard.
Guest Bedroom at Intercontinental Barclay New York
The bathrooms, however, are where The Barclay earns its 8/10. Everything is tastefully finished with Art Deco cues. They are well-stocked with BYREDO products and a rare, generous array of branded amenities—a distinctive touch for a hotel that’s part of a 6,000-property global group.
In-room amenities include a fairly standard.mini bar. Tip: Since you were almost certainly charged the opaque amenity fee, make the most of the minibar credit—a small way to reclaim some value and treat yourself.
The Facilities 7/10
The fitness centre is relatively compact given the hotel’s scale, but it’s clean and functional and many guests are more likely to get their exercise walking to Central Park or hitting the city’s landmarks. It lacks the refined touches expected at this level, such as fresh fruit or snacks, highlighting the difference between premium and luxury.
The Service 6/10
The service is a reality of a 700-room hotel in New York City: while every staff member I encountered was pleasant, they were also stretched, particularly during peak times. The entire operation is fast-paced, and undeniably manic Manhattan.
The Barclay sells history and comfort, but it falls short on the service test that defines true luxury. If you require staff to move mountains before you even ask, you will find it just out of reach. This is efficient and not seamless luxury.
The Dining 7/10
The bar benefits from the hotel’s scale, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for unwinding, though the cocktails themselves were fairly average. The service, however, is undermined by big corporation rules: accompanying bar snacks were only offered if you produced an IHG loyalty voucher. It’s hard to feel truly pampered when you’re rummaging for a slip of paper just to earn a handful of cashews. Tip: This is a perfect way to use that amenity fee credit for evening cocktails.
Breakfast is where the dining experience truly fails. Served buffet-style at a price reflecting its Midtown address, the spread is generous but uninspired. As a solo diner, I was directed to the bar—where I was promptly forgotten. No offer of a second coffee, no water or juice top-ups, and a complete lack of attentiveness. In a hotel of this stature, service shouldn’t depend on how many are dining.
The Attention To Detail 7/10
There are moments when The Barclay gets the details right: a collection of umbrellas and thoughtfully laid out daily newspapers offer an elegant, practical nod to New York weather.
But the hotel’s scale often undermines the effort. I witnessed a staggering 26 guests queuing to check out, with many reception desks unmanned. Ironically, the in-room TV offered a smooth digital checkout—a feature that was never mentioned at check-in. Perhaps that crowd was there to question the sting in the tail of their stay: the ever-mysterious ‘amenity fee.’
There is no morning coffee cart. When I inquired, I was told to either wait for the bar to open or head to a nearby Starbucks. At an upper-tier hotel, a simple fresh brew at dawn should not require a detour, especially when luxury competitors offer both in-room and lobby coffee.
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Worth it? Yes. The InterContinental New York Barclay offers a refined, comfortable experience in the heart of the city, but it’s not The Four Seasons or Peninsula. And neither is the price tag.
Stay Here For A good-value, premium hotel with historic charm and a prime location near Midtown and Grand Central Station.
Don’t Stay Here For A feeling of exclusivity or true luxury—and definitely not if hidden amenity fees leave a bad taste at checkout.
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