InterContinental New York Barclay

We stopped here for 10 nights in August. This was our first family trip to NYC and was for my 50th Birthday. We flew from Manchester, UK and thus with the clock change was a pretty long day, we arrived about 6pm only to be told our classic suite wasn't available!!! Despite telling hotel we'd be there at this time and despite check in available from 3pm. We were further told that the lounge access we'd booked which included breakfast was only for 2 people!!! We booked the hotel through the IHG app and no where did it say breakfast was for only 2 people. After pushing back on this, the hotel agreed that the 4 of us could all get breakfast. We had to wait in the lounge for an hour or so until our room eventually became available, by this time it was about 8pm local (1am UK time)!. We then had to wait about an hour for the luggage to arrive and also for them to make the sofa bed, this took about 4 phone calls to reception. It was then clear the sofa bed was broke but given the time I was in no mood to fight this so I slept in the broken bed. I then mentioned this to reception the following morning (Sunday) on our way out. When we returned on the Sunday late afternoon, the bed was still broke! Again further calls to reception / maintenance and we were told the bed couldn't be replaced that evening and we had to move to a standard double room for that evening and the bed was resolved Monday (2 nights after we arrived). The manager gave us a discount for our trouble. Apart from this, our stay was OK. The hotel is pretty big and beautiful, breakfast was OK, nothing amazing. The lounge access isn't that great, you can only have drinks from 5pm and it shuts at 8pm. You pay 45$ per night extra but then get about $30 to spend on food / drinks but the price of the food / drinks is such that you'd most likely to end up spending more money so seems a bit of a rip off! The room cleaning could be improved, we got some chocolates on the first night but the plate wasn't removed until 3 days later when it put it outside the room. Another night we had a food in the room but again the cutlery wasn't taken until we put it outside. The gym was pretty basic, mostly cross trainers, bikes and treadmills. I'd certainly consider other alternatives before stopping here again.

I might have only stayed for 1 night but I wish it could have been longer. Room was large and had more than the usual amenities. Very clean and safe. Excellent stay.

Hotel looks worn, which is unfortunate. The off white sofa in the lobby was covered with stains. The sliding door to the bathroom in the room would jam and the molding had come off.

Great location, great attention, fair rate. My wife and loved the bed, Good gym. The location just by Grand Central and good access to Mid Town and Times Square. We get by JFK thru Long Iland Train for 7 dlls. Each in less than 30 min total, and there is a direct access to the hotel half a block, from Grand Central Station.

As someone who used to work in the Hospitality industry, it's easy for me to spot a well-run hotel. The Barclay has exceeded my expectations both times I have stayed there this summer - service is always friendly and helpful, rooms are clean and tidy, bathroom mirrors have great lighting (this is an underappreciated great thing to have)! And Sofia is wonderful, a true professional. I will be coming back for many more visits.