On my latest trip to New York I really wanted to experience a quintessential NYC stay. Enter The InterContinental Barclay Hotel, a truly iconic New York hotel. Dating from the 1920s, it captures the glamour and Art Deco heritage of Old New York, whilst providing a thoroughly comfortable modern stay.
The hotel has serious pedigree, with a star-studded history of famous guests. Presidents Obama and Clinton have stayed here. Ernest Hemingway even wrote For Whom The Bell Tolls in residence at the hotel, a fact which is tastefully memorialised in a display in the lobby.
With over 700 rooms, it's a mammoth space with a steady stream of guests, ranging from bevies of suits to families on holiday. I stayed at the hotel for two nights with my partner in February 2024, in a premium King Room. Read on for my full InterContinental Barclay Hotel New York review.
I was invited for a press stay to review, however all opinions are entirely my own. This post may feature affiliate links.
InterContinental Barclay Location
The InterContinental Barclay Hotel is located in Midtown East. It's very central, and an ideal location for exploring the city as many top sights are nearby. Summit One Vanderbilt, The Rockefeller Centre, MOMA, and Central Park are all within walking distance. There are multiple subways stations in the vicinity. It's also between the Lower and Upper East Sides, two of my favourite areas for restaurants and bars. Oh, and if you're arriving by train, Grand Central is just around the corner!
InterContinental Barclay Interiors and Facilities
If I had to sum the InterContinental up in a word, it would be: classic. The spaces feel timeless, just the right balance of old world charm and unstuffy comfort. It's the kind of place that feels as appropriate for families as it does for business guests and, in fact, we saw a mix of both on our stay.
Personally I really loved the decor, it's simple enough to appeal to all tastes, and very elegantly done. They've managed to remain sympathetic to the history of the space, with plenty of Art Deco touches such as dark woods and gold accents. I adore Art Deco interiors, so was right at home!
The showstopper is the expansive lobby, overlooked by The Parlour. This area acts as the restaurant and gin bar, and was a consistent hub of activity throughout our stay. Unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity to experience the F&B offering, so I can't comment on it. Personally I prefer to get brunch in the city, but the breakfast smells in the morning were tempting!
In terms of facilities, there's a 24 hour gym, which I also didn't get to. Walking around the city lugging heavy camera equipment is enough of a work out for me!
InterContinental Barclay Rooms & Suites
I stayed with my partner in a Premium Room on the 12th floor. It was a lovely room, spacious enough for the two of us with all the amenities you'd expect from a luxury hotel. The bathroom was fully stocked with toiletries and a hairdryer. We were also provided with complimentary water, and coffee making facilities - a must for early morning shoot starts! My only complaint is that the walls were quite thin, which meant we could very easily hear the family in the room next to us.
We also had a nosey around the penthouse suite (below), which was, well, something else. An absolutely sprawling suite, it comes equipped with a workout room, kitchen, and two bathrooms. Whilst the standards bedrooms are fairly minimal in design, the penthouse is full of unique design touches. The living room is flanked by two imposing bookshelves, where artefacts such as Chinese ginger pots are displayed. Paired with rich mustard furnishings surrounding a desk and even a chess board, it's reminiscent of the colonial era mansions. In fact, it even reminded me a little of Hemingway's home in Cuba. If you'd like to see a full tour, you can see it in this TikTok.
InterContinental Barclay Service
We didn't have a huge amount of interaction with the staff as we were only staying for a short time, however they were very friendly, welcoming and professional. The staff at reception always had a big smile, and checked in on us and how our stay was going. We did get quizzed a bit by staff on what we were doing when seen with a camera around the hotel, but there was a UN meeting taking place at the hotel that day, so I imagine this was a security precaution!
Overall InterContinental Barclay Hotel New York Review
I wanted to experience a quintessential New York stay on this trip, and The InterContinental Barclay Hotel really captured that for me. It's such a timeless NYC icon, a nostalgic nod to Old New York with all the comfort of a modern stay. The history and heritage is definitely a real draw, as are the classic design details and Art Deco touches, like the standout lobby and bar. There's a mildly business feel due to the number of meeting and event spaces, however it's just as suitable for couples and families, thanks to its excellent location. For me the latter is the biggest draw, as you truly feel in the heart of the city, and so well connected for exploring. All in all it's the perfect stay for those who want a hassle free, sophisticated yet comfortable experience with all the amenities.
Do let me know if this InterContinental Barclay Hotel review was helpful, and if you have any other New York questions or tips to share, please feel free to pop them in the comments!
