I would say, from JFK the 45$ flat rate cab is for me at least the best option.(you can make it cheaper with a pair up) the Airtran to the lower city, then subway connection can take a LONG time, well over 1:20 sometimes longer depending on connection times. It also can take a long time to get to the JFK terminal depending on which airline one flies in to.

From LGA cabs for me to IC Barkley tend to be about 30$,

The fastest and cheapest option is the airtran from EWR (newark) to PENN, and from there it wouldn't be more than a 5$ cab ride to the new IC.

Birthday treat coming up in a couple of months, we'd like to try IC TS for probably 4 nights, including an old-style 2nd night free. We are both Ambassador, including one recent demote from RA.

Any thoughts as to the rate we should buy to stand a chance of a suite upgr*de? Hotel e-mail is apparently not yet up and running, so I could call but I'd value the IHG FTers view first.

Also, wireless is shown on the hotel website as '* Initial Fee: $0.00' (with no link to the *). I'm hoping this means no charge throughout the stay, even if the statement is almost meaningless.

Thanks for any views or advice.

Roger

I found the answers to my questions:

• room to book for a chance of a suite upgrade: deluxe corner king
• internet charge: 'Currently, due to our pre-opening status we do not have a set rate for internet usage in the rooms, it should range between $10.00-$20.00.'

I'm hoping that the '* Initial Fee: $0.00' turns out to be $0.00 in use.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station, followed by the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station will normally be both faster and cheaper than EWR AirTrain and NJ Transit to Penn Station. (The LIRR runs with greater frequency than NJ Transit.)

If I were flying into EWR, I would seriously consider taking the airport express bus, for a one-seat ride from any of EWR's terminals to Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is just two blocks from the IC.

From LGA, the fastest public transportation options would be the M60 bus to the Astoria Boulevard subway station (it's actually an elevated station at that part of the line), and then the N or Q train to Times Square; or the Q72 bus to the Junction Boulevard elevated station, and then the #7 train to Times Square; or the Q33 bus to the end of the line (74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue subway station), and then the E train to 42nd Street/Eighth Avenue (the closest subway station to the IC). I would simply take whichever of those three buses arrived first. Any of the three routes should take about 50-60 minutes from LGA to the IC, and cost $2.25 with a Metrocard, or $4.50 without one.

I've e-mailed the hotel recently about how high up the room would be if I used rewards on a 5 night stay as I was considering shifting my rewards reservation from CP to them.

The lady was very pleasant in her response and compared the rooms and stated that IC room would be on floors 3-7 but any higher would be based on availability at check-in due to Plat AMB status (CP was 16-29).

I responded by asking if they would be open to me booking that particular room category on a high floor for 1 night paid and then take the remaining 4 on rewards and not move room. Since my e-mail, I've had no response! This has been the case for around 3 days now.

So my question is, was I been cheeky and should expect a no reply or was it a perfectly acceptable question and ok to ask?! I even mentioned in the e-mail that I hope they didn't think my suggestion was taking too much of the proverbial p*ss (obviously worded differently!).

I'm really looking forward to staying here between 5-7 August. I am really hoping that they will honour RA benefits on reward stays. I actually quite want a suite of some sort. The first time I visit an IC, I e-mail the hotel in advance basically asking them about whether they'd be willing to offer me a suite at a supplement. The answer has always either been -we'll give you a suite anyway, or we'll charge you a fee (normally about �50-100 a night) to upgrade. I can't see an e-mail address for this property -anyone got any ideas? The Barclay is always very good with upgrades -they give a One Bedroom Suite as standard and honour full RA privileges in my experience, even on reward stays. When the IC SFO opened, they did a special deal for RAs to include Club access. I would suspect that this hotel, given its amazing location, will be more stingy with upgrades -comparable probably to the InterConti London. I would guess that this hotel will attract a number of RA guests and thus those of us with Reward stay bookings will fall down the pile. I suspect the standard RA upgrade would be to something like a Deluxe Corner room. But then, that is not really an 'executive room' or 'suite' is it?

I know this is all a bit vague and time will tell, but any thoughts. I'm seriously thinking about just paying for a better room (i.e. a Deluxe instead of superior) and hoping they give me a suite or even one of those corner rooms on the top floors. The view is the thing here, or so they say...

Does anyone have the hotel e mail or someone to e mail at the hotel.

I want to ask them what their upgrade policy will be for RAs as well as some other questions.

+AMER IC Times Square Sales [[email protected]]

I got a reply in the end and they said that unfortunately we would have to move as they couldn't offer additional nights in this upgraded room.

No mention of an upgrade fee per night (unlike CP).

When I e-mailed as an Ambassador, the answer was:(Post #44 above)

I originally book a Manhattan suite for opening night but was called by hotel and was told that it won't be available. Did this happen to anyone and what should I do? Im a Plat Ambassador BTW.

I have been trying to ask some questions about room facility
by e-mail these four days but have not got any reply from this hotel yet.

Most rooms (not suites) seem to have walk-in rain shower,
but does anyone know about bath-tub?

does anyone know the T&C's for this offer?
I can't find any info



http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/home

The 10k shows up as a room rate option when you do a search for a booking. Requires a 2 night stay so won't show if you look for 1 night, I guess.

I've just booked 3 nights here @ 30k/night. Given the cash rates I consider that a steal, especially as the hotel will be shiny new.

What is the hotel's email?

double beds superior room
wake up revitalized in a dbl room.large spa inspired bathrm with bath tub. 42in hdtv wired wireless internet home and touch screen pc to enhance your stay. 350 sq ft of space designed with the feel of a chic manhattan residence. A perfect setting for business leisure and family travel.