IC New York Times Square Master Thread
Jan 22, 2020, 1:04 am
I've never not been upgraded and more lately the hotel is really making a real extra effort to upgrade all Ambassadors.
The welcome letter@ arrival clearly states all elite AMB benefits in house and what they will do in the way of upgrade if available
They have an excellent expanded Ambassador check in area now with agents that have a can do attitude.
Avoid the front desk if at all possible they are not proficient and sometimes unfriendly and can be unhelpful
The hotel is aging and need of a renovation but in other regards its the most Ambassador friendly I've ever seen it since opening
Miss the great Brooklyn chocolates they use to gift us with in the room
Had one of the sky view corner upgrades last time on points without asking for an upgrade my favorite room
The hotel which I have been highly critical of in the past impresses me as they finally after years are getting recognition right
I still dislike the weird meh restaurant in the lobby and room service is pretty awful too
Jan 22, 2020, 10:57 am
I've never not been upgraded and more lately the hotel is really making a real extra effort to upgrade all Ambassadors.
The welcome letter@ arrival clearly states all elite AMB benefits in house and what they will do in the way of upgrade if available
They have an excellent expanded Ambassador check in area now with agents that have a can do attitude.
Avoid the front desk if at all possible they are not proficient and sometimes unfriendly and can be unhelpful
The hotel is aging and need of a renovation but in other regards its the most Ambassador friendly I've ever seen it since opening
Miss the great Brooklyn chocolates they use to gift us with in the room
Had one of the sky view corner upgrades last time on points without asking for an upgrade my favorite room
The hotel which I have been highly critical of in the past impresses me as they finally after years are getting recognition right
I still dislike the weird meh restaurant in the lobby and room service is pretty awful too
Last edited by ARR72; Jan 22, 2020 at 11:02 am Reason: Comments didn’t save appropriately
Feb 7, 2020, 8:00 am
InterContinental - New York Times Square
300 W 44th St New York, NY US 10036
Another pleasant stay...Updated Perks...Great Times Square Location! (4 Photos)
InterContinental - New York Times Square
Check In
Arrived last Saturday at about 2pm.... Main check in lines were busy, about 10 people checking in at the time. The Ambassador check-in desk to the right of the main desk however was free, and we were greeted swiftly.
As an IHG Spire Ambassador I had booked a Deluxe Corner King and was upgraded to a Sky View Corner King on the 31st floor (3102) which was ready for early check-in. We were offered the AMB late checkout of 4pm for the next day as well. We were also informed of the new modified AMB benefits and inclusions of the $35 resort fee and off we went.
Rather than the previous AMB welcome amenity, a tray of fruit and nuts, they now issue a $20 food and beverage credit. I was also offered my choice of 600 IHG welcome points or two drink vouchers. We opted for the drinks this time and was happy to see some new perks there as well. The drink cards had the three IHG status levels on the back, Gold, Platinum and Spire, each of which includes a slightly different beverage option. Most notable inclusion of the Spire level is a "Cocktail" which was good for any specialty drink up to $20 at the Stinger Bar. Nice to not be limited to the typical House Wine, Beer or Well Drink.
Room
The room was a typical small-ish NYC room, but with a great corner view from the 31st floor, room 3102. Not much extra space in bedroom area, but it was more than fine for the night. The bathroom was great with it's oversized walk-in rain shower.
Dining
As mentioned, between the welcome amenity free drinks, resort fee credit of $25 for food and beverages, and the AMB $20 perk, we had $45 to use up so we stopped in the Stinger Bar/Resturant for pre-dinner drinks, an app and a dessert to go since the perks need to be used by midnight of the check in day. I ordered the Stinger Margarita, my wife a White Russian, some buffalo wings and slice of chocolate cake to go. Everything was tasty and well made.
Location
Location is great, parking options directly accross the street from the hotel enterance (full at time of check-in) and also about a half a block BEFORE the hotel enterance...both are Edison Park Fast locations. Be sure to validate at the hotel AMB or main check-in desk for $10 off the 24-hour rate. Came to $42 vs. $52 standard rate. I enjoyed being about a block outside Times Square at this IC, keeps things a little quieter. We were seeing a show that night at the Broadhurst Theater (Jagged Little Pill) which is an easy 2-3 min walk from the IC front doors.
Overall
Just as nice as our previous stays and appreciate the changes to the AMB perks and useful new components of the mandatory $35 resort fee. I continue to reccommend this IC Times Square to family and friends. We'll be back soon!
Jun 18, 2021, 1:55 am
Jun 18, 2021, 6:57 pm
What do they do for Ambassadors for the 20 dollar dining credit? IOU for a future stay?
I think in the past you could use if for mini bar or in room dining as well
Last edited by 777 global mile hound; Jun 18, 2021 at 7:25 pm
Jun 18, 2021, 8:10 pm
you can see the vanilla gorilla menu here:
https://www.vanillagorillacafe.com/
Jun 18, 2021, 8:20 pm
you can see the vanilla gorilla menu here:
https://www.vanillagorillacafe.com/
Excited to try the Vanilla Gorilla experience sounds quite 5 star
Jun 19, 2021, 8:24 am
And the mini-bar is stocked so I got that benefit too.
Jun 19, 2021, 2:12 pm
Jul 29, 2021, 9:47 am
Aug 1, 2021, 7:53 am
Since you already have to pay the amenity fee and get $20 for the minibar each night, it's basically a devaluation.
Update: 30 minutes after I ordered my omelet, they told me they were out of mushrooms and did I want to order something else.
Last edited by Adam1222; Aug 1, 2021 at 8:27 am
Aug 10, 2021, 2:58 am
Summer is in full swing in NYC and here at InterContinental Times Square, we are delighted to welcome you with renewed luxurious accommodations offering breathtaking skyline views. Book our "One For $1 Breakfast" offer and kick-start your day for just $1 served in our restaurant, The Stinger.
Aug 11, 2021, 6:15 am
Last time I stayed there the rooms and the carpeting in the hallways were very tired and I guess I assumed they wouldn't renovate until the hotels position as an IC was more definite....since they seem to try and get out of the contract all the time.
Aug 11, 2021, 6:47 am
Last time I stayed there the rooms and the carpeting in the hallways were very tired and I guess I assumed they wouldn't renovate until the hotels position as an IC was more definite....since they seem to try and get out of the contract all the time.
The rooms that are in blue tones on the website are renovated. Annoying because upgrades put you in un-renovated rooms (with views)