InterContinental New York Barclay by IHG

Reviews

• MK

  Miltiadis Kastanis

  2 days ago
  5.0
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Ultimate "Christmas in New York" Experience. If you are planning a holiday trip to NYC and want that classic, "Old New York" luxury feel, The Barclay is unmatched. I stayed here over Christmas, and it served as the perfect quiet sanctuary right in the middle of the midtown holiday chaos. The Holiday Atmosphere: The hotel goes all out for the season. The lobby is absolutely stunning with a massive, beautifully decorated Christmas tree and often has live choral music or jazz playing, which sets a magical tone the moment you walk in. Unlike the frantic energy of Times Square hotels, The Barclay feels refined, residential, and incredibly festive without being tacky. Unbeatable Location for Sightseeing: This is the biggest selling point. You are a short 5-7 minute walk from Rockefeller Center and the Saks Fifth Avenue light show. Being able to walk over to see the tree at 7 AM before the crowds arrived, and then easily walk back to the hotel to warm up, was a luxury I didn’t know I needed. You are also just blocks from Grand Central Terminal, making arrival and departure seamless. The Gin Parlour (Dining & Drinks): Do not miss "The Parlour" off the lobby. It is a world-class gin bar (I believe they have over 80 varieties). After a long day of walking in the cold, sitting in the velvet chairs with a high-end gin cocktail and listening to live music was the highlight of our evenings. The breakfast here is also high quality, though expensive (typical for NYC). The Rooms: We found the rooms to be surprisingly quiet given the location. They have a "residential" feel—very classic decor, comfortable beds, and heavy blackout curtains which were great for sleeping in. The bathrooms are well-appointed with quality toiletries (Balmain). Service: The doormen and concierge were top-tier, helping us navigate the holiday street closures and securing difficult dinner reservations. Verdict: If you want to be in the center of the Christmas action but still want a luxurious, peaceful place to sleep, book The Barclay. It captures the magic of the city perfectly.
• BC

  Bryan Cheong

  Dec 31, 2025
  1.0
  Future visitors: Re-order the Google reviews to see the most recent ones. There's probably 1-star review for every two 5-star reviews, and it echoes my bad experience. I really wanted to enjoy, but I was very disappointed with my stay. Always enjoyed staying at the Intercontinental properties in Osaka, LA, and Seoul, but I'm never coming back to this place ever again. Overall, no one seemed friendly or happy to serve guests and in fact, I felt like being inconvenience to them from check-in to check-out. - Check-in wait time was 15+ mins. Then, no smile, no greeting from a tired receptionist. - Amenity fee is a joke. $30 f&b daily credit comes with a lot of limitations, can't apply to breakfast, no take out options from the restaurant, room service delivery charge is $10 plus 25% admin fee on overpriced menu. Laundry credit is $20 daily but it costs $10 to wash a pair of socks. - Many guests try to get drinks or desserts from the restaurant (there's only one on site) to use the daily credit which makes it understaffed, and long wait is expected. Especially during holidays. - Here is the highlight. On day 3, I wanted to get coffee in the morning. I told the host that I just want coffee. Another waiter came by, I told the same thing again and he tells me to talk to the host again. I was seated by the host eventually and I told another waiter that I'm just getting coffee, not doing breakfast buffet. It looks like I was not seated in the right section, which is okay. Instead of just redirecting me to another section, he accuses me of not informing the host correctly. I informed that I did so and pointed out him being rude and he starts yelling in my face, calling me disrespectful, and refuses to serve. I do not understand how he thinks this is an acceptable behavior to hotel guests. Just fix the situation, instead of blaming guests! I will not mention the waiter's name here, but he needs to better manage his anger and get better at his job. There are other reviews confirming how rude the wait staffs are at the restaurant. - The manager/host apologized, but the waiter never apologized. No one from the hotel management staff reached out to me until I shared 1 out of 5 feedback via text. Even then, just a robotic message saying sorry and basically asking me what I want, thinking some hotel points or free meal's going to fix the damage. I don't expect special treatment, but this experience has set the lowest mark on customer service. Other shortcomings: - Ole&Steen is not that great. Go to Blank Coffee instead of trying to use the 10% coupon. Personally, not worth it. - Thin walls. Can hear kids crying, water running next door. - Check the tabletop alarm clock. Mine was not set correctly, off by 17 mins. And I was woken up at 5:55AM on my first night because the alarm was not reset. Only three good things: - Location - Door man who made sure my uber trip to JFK was cheaper than yellow cab - Checkout via app (so I don't have to deal with the unfriendly staff) What this hotel should do: - Redesign the amenity fee strategy, to reduce stress on restaurant ops and to actually please guests with good utility - Otherwise, hire more staff members (especially during holidays) or offer takeout options - Retrain staff members to be kind to guests (at least try pretending). I know it's NYC and nobody expects southern hospitality, but it just missed the mark big time - Do not use lazy texts to handle serious customer complaints. Be more genuine, proactive, and try engaging in person I usually let things go because it's just foolish to let bad things waste time and ruin my mood, but this one really outraged me and I wanted to make sure the hotel management team is aware and takes it seriously.
• MJ

  Matias J

  Dec 30, 2025
  1.0
  If I can put minus 5 stars I would do that, ok let’s start from the very beginning. I’m Ambassador and Diamond Elite for IHG branch, well let me tell you it worth nothing! My check in experience and first day at the hotel was more than awful. Chapter 1: ARRIVAL(2AM) There were no employees to receive us and help us with bags in a supposed five star hotels which is receiving people 24/7. We had to figured out ourself to get thru the revolving door, once in the lobby no FRONT DESK AGENT AT sight, it was like being in a ghost hotel in the center of Manhattan; after ringing the bell KArem appeared using one AirPod on the ear and visibly maybe sleeping, he checked us like doing us a favor (pretty basic and no warm greeting), everything had to be asked and felt like ZERO customer service attitude, after all this situation I requested to talk with a manager, the manager in charge was quite rude and also (he stated that he was ambassador too which I dont care because he is the employee and I’m the guest. That’s is how started and there was no bellboy to help us with luggage. We were lucky that we got an upgrade BUT wait a minute it was an accessible room WHICH I would never choose. Chapter 2: THE ROOM (Accesible PREMIUM SUITE) The upgrade was minimum we already booked a Classic suite which is almost the same but well here is the second issue we encountered, the room was dirty with dust that seems that had been there for years. we were extremely tired so we wait til the next day to be changed. Chapter 3: TIME WASTED First thing in the morning was talking to representative of the ambassador desk, luckily at first I could talked with LESLIE who have an outstanding customer service and all the time she had a positive attitude to help, I requested her I wanted to be moved from my room (and I didn’t care about the “upgrade”) just wanted a regular room, and the second request was talked to manager to discuss about the issues I had. After talking to the day manager who result to be a more down to earth person we could get to a point and compensate with one day of complimentary access to the club and also a discount for all the days of the resort fee, which it was a good gesture from him and we accepted. Chapter 4: CHANGING ROOMS This is the worst part, they gave me the new room at 3PM on the 30th, but I had to get the new keys and manage by myself all 4 bags plus some shopping bags I had too. The front desk lady called SELAMA (or something similar) it was like talking to a wall, no listening at all no apologies and ZERO attitude to be at the ambassador front desk, I wish they move her from that position because she is completely not competent from to be with customers, then it seems she was enjoying that I was almost in a break down because of the whole stress i had at the very beginning of my holidays, well short story she provide me the new keys and made me wait like 10 minutes then I asked her I will need help she told me someone will be helping me and no one show up and I did myself. Chapter 5: THE END After moving my stuff to the new room I tried to reach the manager (Gabrielle) again to make all this comments but he was unreachable on a meeting and promised to call me after that (well I’m still waiting that call) ——- I think I wont be any loyal to this branch no more, its not worth the money and there is no special treatment if you are frequent or not, you are just a number$$. —- Now I’m waiting for a formal apologies for almost ruined my vacations, almost a whole day wasted going back and forth.
• SS

  Subhan Syed

  Dec 30, 2025
  5.0
  Me and my wife booked this hotel for our anniversary. I am an intercontinental ambassador, so we were upgraded from standard king to king high floor. We also got a second drink voucher since I mentioned it was our wedding anniversary worth 25 dollars for the bar in addition to the 20 dollar drink voucher for being an ambassador, which I appreciated. The room was clean and bed was comfortable. It was a bit small but all NYC hotels are similar size, but we really liked the fact that the bathroom had a hand wash/bidet attachment, which we were not accustomed to other US hotels. There’s no microwave or fridge; there is a Keurig machine in the room, and we called and requested a hot kettle machine, which they provided. Overall we appreciated the level and service of the front desk, especially the front desk, Sophy Diaz, who at check in explained all my benefits and answered all my questions. Lastly, they honored my 4 PM checkout (an intercontinental ambassador perk) which played a huge part in choosing this hotel in the first place. Highly recommend, especially if you get the intercontinental ambassador status which is purchasable at the intercontinental site, and is good for 1 year at all intercontinental hotels.
• BB

  Beau Brasseaux

  Dec 26, 2025
  4.0
  Intercontinental is my go-to brand, and while this wasn't my absolute favorite Intercontinental, it was definitely one of my top 3 IHG hotels in the new york city area. The rooms are pretty small, like most in NYC, but the lounge was awesome and well-stocked all day. Breakfast is a bit limited compared to the parlor, but since I had status, I used both in the morning. I was super happy they offered to-go boxes at the parlor since I usually eat late. The gym is decent, with basic machines and limited free weights, but they do provide towels and water. The rooms are cleaned daily, the bed is super comfy, and they even have smart TVs. For $500-$800 a night, it's not a bad stay if you want to be right in the middle of all the action in New York City but in a cleaner and safer part of Manhattan. Unfortunately the walls are somewhat thin and the hotel has many kids who are loud running through the halls or playing in the gym which is my biggest negative, also for nearly 700 per night and lounge access there was no warning of a day they completely closed the lounge , when you pay the service you should be given warning or some type compensation.

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