joe_miami

Have a two-night stay in NYC coming up and was considering one night here and one night at the IC Times Square, since I've never stayed at either property. What can a non-Ambassador Platinum expect at this property? Is mass transit to EWR faster/easier from this IC or the IC Times Square? Thanks.

FlightNurse

Having stated at the IC Times a couple of times as both an AMB PLT and just as a PLT, The AMB is worth the price for the Free Night, and we were upgraded to a higher floor, as PLT they thanked me for being a PLT and that was it. I wouldn't move from one hotel to other, spend the time exploring the city, each hotel has its plus and minus.

EDIflyer

Have a stay on an AMB weekend cert here in October. Went to see if any change in rates - room rate seems the same but for a two night stay it's now quoting "Additional charges: 68.86 USD".

There's extra detail stating:
This doesn't show up on the PDF I saved at the time of my booking confirmation (in April) - anyone seen any announcement about this being charged? (searched this thread but couldn't see) Will certainly be challenging them on it if it is charged at checkout given it wasn't there when I booked!

crombiestone

I have just checked my reservation for July 15th and sure enough on the app there is an estimated additional charge of $34.43 . I have my original reservation email from 28th March and the charge is certainly not on that .

Its bad enough imposing these fake charges to begin with but to add it to previous bookings without any consent is downright fraudulent .

I will not be paying it .

orvando

Have stayed at both as a non-status member - totally different hotels. Barclay is a grand hotel of the early 20th century (lower-rise, long hallways), beautiful, small rooms with "antique" touches. Times Square is a sleek glass high-rise, generally larger rooms that don't feel particularly unique (like other IC's, or even other newer high-end Hilton/Hyatts). Can't go wrong with either but I felt that the Barclay is more "special" - purely personal preference. TS in lively hectic area 24/7, whereas Barclay in corporate Midtown East, gets quiet on weekend nights.

Easier to get to EWR from IC TS - walk 10 blocks down 8th Av. to Penn Station to get on NJ Transit train. From Barclay, would have to ride the "E" subway across town to reach Penn Station. There are also bus options (e.g. "Newark Airport Express" with stops near both hotels, but again, from Barclay the ride is longer; you'll practically pass the IC TS on the way to EWR).

jongesander

I have booked a King Club room, using a AMB cert. Which room will I get after the Ambassador upgrade?

voodoofish

I've just done the same thing (but for a stay in September) and noticed the new resort fee too. Has anyone stayed there since the introduction of the fee and been asked to pay it for a reservation that was made before the fee was introduced?

crombiestone

Yes I stayed on 15th July . I questioned the resort fee charge at check in and the FD clerk said that the amount she could see was the original rate without the resort fees ,even though it was still clearly shown on the IHG app . There was no problem at all and the original rate was charged .

For what its worth I booked an Executive King and was upgraded as ambassador to a Barclay King . Other than it being high floor and on a corner with 2 windows , I don't think the room was much bigger than a basic room would have been . I also received 2 x $20 drink vouchers for the lobby bar ambassador welcome amenity .

voodoofish

Great, thank you! I feel much better knowing I shouldn't have to fight them to get the original reservation honoured.

Milhous Gloriosus

Looking for upgrades, maybe larger room, maybe club access.

Yes, I know it's a separate program, I'm an Ambassador.

dez3b

I'm looking at stay at the IC Barclay in October and use my free night certificate(I'm an ambassador). However, Even Hotel is fairly close by and would end up being a lot less expensive(by using points).
Now, before someone jumps on me, I know you can't compare and Even hotel with an IC. However, I'm a little worried with what people have been saying about the service provided to ambassadors and at the hotel as a whole. I don't want to pay a bunch more for what will turn out to not be a better service experience. The Even hotel may not have as good of service as IC or the amenities, but it also doesn't have a destination fee and is significantly less. I don't mind paying for good service, but with IC I expect a good experience and more than I do for an Even hotel so my expectations are just very different.
I guess what I am asking, is it worth it to stay at the IC for a few days or would it be better to just adjust my expectations anyway and stay somewhere cheaper because I'm not going to get a good product even though I'm paying more.

Mauibaby2008

FMTTM1

Stay at EVEN and keep the $$'s, or go to the IC Times Square. I stayed in both IC's approx. 50 nights in the past couple years and always had a much better service/upgrades in IC TS.

The Barclay is a beautiful property, but has a union issue that causes bad service (specifically in the dining room), every time I stayed there was an issue and weird vibes.

FLYGVA

For your information:
A few post were unnecessary and therefore have been deleted.

FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum

ARR72