travelsavant

Arrived yesterday arround 8:45 am after UA SFO-JFK redeye & was welcomed by name by doorman & bellman, which was nice, only to find whole management team waiting inside with cameras at the ready for their first guests: sister & me! Wow! (More on the "meet & greet" in my trip review, which will come later).

Hotel is almost done so I'd call this a "soft" opening. Most of the rooms are complete, but work still ongoing in a few areas (dining - No Todd till later this month!) but key functions are up & operating. As Ambassador, upgraded from 2 deluxe rooms to 2 skyrooms, which are their floor-to-celing corner rooms - great views. Pictures on website are very representative of rooms: really nice decor throughout hotel & great artwork. Bed is super comfortable - asleep when head hit pillow! Double paned windows block a lot of NYC noise (those sirens penatrate everything.) As dining room not opening yet, free, full & yummy breakfast is being offered guests in one of the downstairs grand ballrooms. Each room has own computer ($12.95) but WIFI for your own laptop is $10 day; will check to see if this is free for Ambassador & RA's.
Going to ask for full tour later this week to do biz center, gym, etc.

So far, hotel is great: location, decor, beds, service (extra kudos to concierge staff). Off to tour humid, hot NYC!

Feel free to ask questions.

IAMORGAN

Great! Glad it's a good place. Is the a/c effective/working properly atm?

travelsavant

A/C blowing very cold air which is very welcome since it's super hot & humid here this week. Whole hotel is very cool...temperature-wise.

IAMORGAN

Good to hear ^

Thanks

IAMORGAN

Here's the reply:

Good Afternoon Mr. Morgan,



In regards to your inquiry regarding Royal Ambassador privileges, please be advised that we will be honoring the privileges that go along with the Royal Ambassador membership, on reward nights. In regards to room upgrades, however, they will only be offered upon room availability.


Currently, the hotel is in a ‘soft opening’ phase, so parts of the hotel are still under construction, was there anything in specific you were inquiring about whether or not it would be operational?



We look forward to you staying with us and I advise you to please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any other questions or concerns.



Kind Regards,



<Name>
Reservations Coordinator

INTERCONTINENTAL NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE



InterContinental New York Times Square



P please consider the environment before printing this email

travelsavant

Will find out tomorrow as doing mini-hotel tour of various room types, suites, service areas (gym, biz center, etc.) My skyroom has rain shower/no bath.

I'll also get guest services email & number. Main # is 212-803-4500 & in-house reservations is 212-803-4525.

MarriottHotelsFan

It seems as the IC TS cares more about PC Plats then the Crowne Plaza They said on reward nights, if I emailed the woman with my confirmation code for a king I could be upgraded to a corner king room, and with double/double next best avail. at check-in.

hickory hoedown

Thank you, I have just received reply from IC Times Square that
room category with bath-tub is only superior double-bedded room.

So I will be booking this category
and as an Ambassador standard member,I will be requesting for not upgrading.
A little bit dissapointing that I should give up higher and nice viewed room
just for bath-tub..

IAMORGAN

Better than their treatment of RAs on Reward Stays then. Just offering a non-specific SAU. Not impressed at all if this is the case.

MarriottHotelsFan

That's what she told me if you want her email, PM me. She was very kind about it.

EliteWeb

Checking in later this evening and staying the weekend.

FLYGVA

The preopening discussion and information about the opening could be found in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...er-thread.html

This thread will remain open for now, but we might close it later.

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

travelsavant

Saw the double-bed/bathtub room yesterday & it is very nice...since no upgrade ask for some other amenity (with kids, maybe free movie every night?)

travelsavant

Thanks for starting new thread.

djjaguar64

Does the hotel have a lounge?
What does an Ambassador have to book to get lounge access?