The Barclay InterContinental (NYC)
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The Barclay InterContinental
111 E 48th St
New York, New York 10017
Tel: 800 782 8021
http://www.new-york-barclay.intercontinental.com/
Number of rooms and suites: 686
Published standard room rates: $250 / Suites $775
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[edit] Overview
The Barclay InterContinental is a hotel with a lot of pluses and very few drawbacks. The combination of four star quality and price remains a very solid bargain for those wishing to stay in an excellent midtown location. The Barclay caters heavily to business travelers looking for convenient access to midtown, but the hotel also draws its share of repeat leisure clients. The property exhibits all of the solid qualities of the best of the Intercontinental brand. The lobby has a traditional feel that sets the mood for the property. With the Barclay Bar and Grill openly sharing the same space as the registration desk, the lobby sometimes feels overly busy, but the spaciousness and rich tone of the furnishings help to subdue the noise level and the traffic flow.
[edit] The Rooms
The hotel's rooms are tastefully, if darkly, decorated and comfortably large. The amenities are standard with televisions, refrigerators, hair dryers, irons and safes. Desks, fax machines and dataports reveal the largely business nature of the clientele. Marble bathrooms are spacious enough, and bedding is comfortable and plushly appointed. It is the reasonably priced suites (reasonable in a 4 Star, NYC sort of way) in the hotel that are favorites with families and leisure clientele, particularly those with Intercontinental Ambassador privileges since suite upgrades are automatic and come at standard room rates. Rooms with facilities for the disabled are available
Note, too, that while the Barclay is an excellent property, the Waldorf-Astoria around the corner is a grander, more elegant hotel. The Waldorf is a true 5 Star property with a pedigree, and interestingly, often to be found at a better price point even though some portion of that hotel's room facilities are in need of a quick an upgrade. The recent room renovations at the Barclay have greatly improved the comparison between the two, but with the Waldorf's heritage, it is the Barclay's gap to close. The proximity of the two properties and the similarity of their rate structure invites the comparison, with the Barclay most often taking second place.
[edit] The Staff
The management and staff of the hotel are excellent and solicitous of their guests. In this aspect, the hotel exceeds its nearby competition at the Waldorf-Astoria. Room service is available 24/7,
[edit] Extras
The Barclay has an excellent 1500 sq.ft. gym, recently re-done with new equipment - a vast improvement over the former facility which they had carved out as an afterthought. Massages are available by appointment. The Barclay Bar and Grill is an excellent, if pricey, choice for a breakfast or lunch, but tends to the noisy side due to its proximity to the reception area of the hotel. A separate bar area sits nearby. Valet parking is available for those willing to pony up the $45 fee. Banquet and meeting facilities include 18 function rooms with a rather expensive in-house audio-visual department. The Barclay provides a 24-hour Business Center.
[edit] Recommended
The Barclay is a very solid value for those seeking a good mid-town location. It is particularly well suited for the business crowd and the large suites make it an attractive choice for families, particularly those ranking in the Ambassador level with Intercontinental.
