What’s it like?
The Barclay is one of the grand hotels of New York. I checked in at about 5.30pm and this was fast and efficient, with friendly staff. I was quickly in my room with my bag while the bellman checked that everything, including the lights and hairdryer, was working.
Where is it?
Located in mid-town Manhattan on 48th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues, just a few minutes’ walk from Grand Central Station.
How many rooms?
686 rooms and suites.
Room facilities:
Every room has individual air conditioning, electronic safes, interactive TV and high-speed internet access ($7.55 for an hour or $32.53 for a day). My king suite had a very comfortable seating area and a large desk with power supply on the desktop for easy connectivity. The hotel has invested heavily in its beds and they are superb, complemented by good quality linens and down pillows and duvets. I enjoyed my best night’s sleep in New York for a long time.
Business centre:
At lobby level, the business centre is open 24 hours and has all the expected facilities. I used one of the computer terminals to check in for my flight just before I left, and as I only used a couple of minutes the staff kindly waived the fee.
Fitness centre:
A fitness club on the third floor, open 24 hours, has a fully equipped exercise room, sauna and steam room and is free to hotel guests. I went up there at 7.15am and it was not overcrowded.
Restaurant:
The Barclay Bar & Grill is on the ground floor and opens at 7am for breakfast, noon for lunch and 5.30pm to 11pm for dinner. It serves American cuisine including grills, salads and pasta. During my stay the kitchen was being refurbished so only a buffet was available
Bar:
The Barclay Bar, also on the ground floor, opens from 11.30am until 1am.
Price:
Standard rates are seasonal, with rooms costing $429-$649 and suites $579-679 (excluding taxes).
Contact:
Intercontinental The Barclay, 111 East 48th Street, New York,tel 1 212 755 5900, http://new-york-barclay.intercontinental.com.
