If you’ve ever planned a trip to New York City, you already know the ultimate lodging dilemma: you want to be close to the iconic Broadway theaters and subways, but you also dread the claustrophobic, suffocating crowds and the notoriously tiny hotel rooms. After spending a week at the InterContinental New York Times Square for a family vacation, I can confidently say that this property manages to strike the perfect, elusive balance between ultra-convenient midtown access and a genuinely relaxing, upscale retreat.
The Location & Arrival Experience
Nestled on 44th Street and 8th Avenue, the location is a dream come true for theater enthusiasts. We were literally steps away from major Broadway houses, world-class dining on Restaurant Row, and the neon glow of Times Square. Yet, because it sits just a block off the main intersection, you don't get the worst of the human gridlock right outside your door. The subway entrance (A/C/E lines) is essentially right at the corner, making downtown or uptown commutes incredibly seamless. Upon arrival, the bell staff was exceptionally sharp, immediately taking our bags while we navigated the sleek, earth-toned lobby. Check-in was efficient, though the front desk staff had that classic, fast-paced 'New York efficiency'—professional, but don't expect overly warm, small-talk-heavy pleasantries.
The Room: Premium Corner King (Midtown View)
Space is a premium luxury in Manhattan, so I was thrilled when we walked into our room. At roughly 350 square feet, it felt downright cavernous compared to standard NYC hotel rooms. We opted for a high-floor Premium Corner room, and it was worth every single penny. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the room with natural light and offered a jaw-dropping, panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline stretching out toward the Hudson River.
The bedding was top-tier comfort—a plush, heavy king mattress wrapped in high-thread-count linens that made it incredibly difficult to wake up for morning sightseeing. Despite being right in the center of the city's pulse, the room was remarkably well-insulated against the street noise, though you'll still hear the faint, inevitable echo of a distant siren here and there (it's New York, after all). The spa-inspired bathroom was another major highlight, boasting a large walk-in shower with fantastic water pressure and high-end Byredo bath products.
Dining, Facilities, and Those Pesky Fees
We started our evenings at The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, the on-site restaurant downstairs. The vibe there is chic yet cozy, and their bartenders craft some incredible signature cocktails infused with fresh honey harvested directly from the hotel’s own rooftop beehives—a fantastic, eco-friendly touch.
That being said, you need to budget carefully when staying here. The hotel charges a mandatory daily amenity/destination fee (around $45), which covers the 'free' Wi-Fi and access to their 24-hour fitness center. The gym itself is actually great—well-equipped with modern treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights—but the fee still feels a bit forced. Also, do yourself a huge favor and skip the on-site hotel breakfast. At over $42 per person, it’s ridiculously overpriced. Instead, step outside and explore any of the local cafes, bagel shops, or traditional diners just a block away for a much cheaper and authentic New York dining experience.
The Verdict
While it is undeniably pricey and the incidental costs can add up quickly, the InterContinental Times Square delivers exactly what a premium traveler looks for: unparalleled location, excellent room size, and views that you will be thinking about long after your trip ends. It’s a flawless home base for anyone looking to do NYC in style. We will absolutely be back!
An Unforgettable 80th Birthday Celebration - A Gesture That Touched Our Heart
Our family had a wonderful experience at the Intercontinental Times Square, celebrating a very special milestone: my mother's 80th birthday. Having three generations of our family together: grandmother, daughter and granddaughter to celebrate her life made the occasion truly meaningful, and the excellent hospitality, welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service made our experience even more memorable.
I would especially like to recognize Eddie, at the Stinger Bar Lounge, his thoughtful gesture touched our hearts in a way he could never imagined. During Brest Cancer Awareness Month, he kindly offered us a pink breast cancer awareness pin. What he did not know was that my mother has being a cancer survivor for 15 years.
For him, it may have been a simple act of kindness, but for our family, it was an incredibly emotional and meaningful moment. That little pink represents courage, strength, hope, and a journey that is deeply personal to my mother.
As we celebrated her 80 years of life, surrounded by three generations of family, his gesture became an unexpected reminder of how precious life is and how powerful a small act of kindness can be. Eddie you had no idea of her story, yet your compassion made our celebration even more special.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to this gentleman for showing us that true hospitality goes far beyond providing excellent service. It is about connecting with people, showing kindness, and creating moments that stay in our hearts long after we leave.
Thank you to the Intercontinental New York Times Square for giving our family such a beautiful experience, and especially to Eddie for a gesture we will never forget. God bless you all.
I had an excellent stay at the InterContinental New York Times Square and came away genuinely impressed with the hotel, the staff, and the overall experience.
I’ll admit that I was somewhat hesitant to book another IHG property after a disappointing experience at the Holiday Inn Paris Gare de Lyon. That stay had left me seriously questioning whether I wanted to continue staying with IHG at all. I’m very glad I decided to give the brand another chance, because my experience at the InterContinental New York Times Square was completely different and restored a great deal of my confidence in IHG.
First, the location is fantastic. The hotel is extremely convenient for exploring Manhattan, with Times Square, Broadway, multiple subway lines, restaurants, and countless attractions all within easy reach. Despite being in such a busy area, the hotel itself felt comfortable and polished, and it was a great home base for several very full days in New York.
The room was also very nice. It was clean, comfortable, well maintained, and felt appropriately upscale for an InterContinental property. After spending an entire day walking around New York, it was genuinely nice to come back to a room that felt relaxing rather than simply functional.
What really distinguished this stay, though, was the staff. Several people deserve individual recognition.
Concierge – JC
JC at the concierge desk was wonderful. He was helpful, welcoming, and exactly the kind of person you hope to encounter at a hotel in a city where guests are constantly trying to figure out what to see, where to go, and how to get there. His assistance contributed to a very positive impression of the hotel.
Front Desk – Angel
Angel at the front desk was also excellent. He was friendly, professional, and made the arrival and front desk experience feel genuinely welcoming. Good front desk service sets the tone for an entire hotel stay, and Angel represented the property extremely well.
In-Room Dining – Paulina
Paulina from in-room dining also deserves recognition. She provided warm, attentive service and helped make even something as simple as dining in the room feel like part of the InterContinental experience rather than just a food delivery.
Restaurant – Nick
Nick, who served me in the hotel restaurant, was another standout. He was personable, attentive, and provided excellent service. The restaurant itself was also very good, which was a pleasant bonus. Hotel restaurants can sometimes feel like an afterthought, but that was not my experience here. The food, atmosphere, and service were all strong.
More broadly, one of the things that impressed me most was how consistently pleasant the staff were across completely different areas of the hotel. From the front desk to concierge, in-room dining, and the restaurant, I repeatedly encountered people who were friendly, professional, and seemed genuinely interested in making guests feel welcome. That consistency says a lot about how a hotel is being managed.
The property also strikes a very good balance between being centrally located and still feeling like an upscale hotel rather than merely a place to sleep in Times Square. The rooms are nice, the public spaces are attractive, the restaurant is good, and the staff elevate the entire experience.
After my previous IHG experience in Paris, I honestly had almost written the company off. This stay completely changed my perspective. The InterContinental New York Times Square reminded me what a strong hotel experience should feel like, and I would absolutely stay here again on a future trip to New York.
Most importantly, I hope management recognizes JC, Angel, Paulina, and Nick for the impression they make on guests. Each of them contributed in a different way to making this an especially enjoyable stay.
An excellent location, comfortable rooms, a good restaurant, and, above all, a genuinely outstanding staff. Highly recommended.
It’s globally pretty mediocre expect for the fact that the rooms are spacious and bathrooms very nice which is a treat for New York.
In terms of checking in it was abrasive and rushed to say the least, no information about any facilities, breakfast or anything just please pay and here is your key.
Housekeeping was basic, beds and towels done, glasses not replaced, bins emptied maybe once during our stay. No great.
The main reason I am writing this review is because upon leaving the staff at the entrance suggested we get a private car to the airport organised by the hotel. 125 dollars tolls & tips included , the car was right there so seemed like a good deal as the taxi in cost us about 100 dollars for a 45min-hour trip.
This trip took 1.5 hours, there was clearly a detour to avoid tolls or the freeway and when we arrived at the airport the driver tried to charge us 150. We were speaking French the entire ride, as soon as I challenged him in perfect English he suddenly changed his tune and started negotiating the price… we ended up at 135 dollars, still more than the staff at the hotel quoted us.
I think it is a shame and very scammy that the staff are trying to rip off tourists with this car service. The staff at the hotel are globally pretty unhelpful.
Good sized room for NYC and the bathrooms are updated. Could use a flooring redo, the carpets are used and abused, but the rooms are clean for NY. A little surprised as a Diamond Elite member that I didn’t have a luggage rack or robe when I checked in, nor was there any shower cap/other typical bathroom amenities for a 4⭐️. With a $10 tip to clean after a few nights, they did fill the amenities container. Couldn’t really figure out how to add an extra night upfront without disabling my keys even though I stopped in after midnight for a refresh and had called up front. Maybe it’s a systems issue. I was also very surprised to call down and ask for late checkout (subject to planning my meetings) and be told that that I had to “wait until the day of checkout for availability”. I went down in person the same night and when face to face, it was a non-event and they made it happen with no fuss. I’ve never had to confront that argument before.
Special callout to Mike (bell/doorman). He is the nicest, most patient, and most attentive human. Good people. Helped me out of my cabs in the rain and was so kind, as were all the door and bellmen. And Nick at the restaurant… first class! The whole restaurant actually is amazing. Their cocktails are so good and the service is so accommodating and the staff are a hoot.
Same as the rest of us, room for improvement. But it’s far from the worst hotel in NYC.