InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel Review
Nonstop Dan rating
InterContinental New York Times Square
A solid, reliable Times Square base with good service and comfortable rooms, though the food and wellness side falls short.
What to Expect at InterContinental New York Times Square?
InterContinental New York hotel exterior
The time has come to finally review my go-to hotel in New York, my home away from home. I’ve probably spent close to two months here over the past few years. While the design is quite dated and the hotel has its flaws, I keep coming back for the excellent value for money and the generously sized rooms.
InterContinental New York hotel exterior
What makes this stay even more appealing is that the InterContinental New York Times Square recently joined IHG Destined, meaning you can now enjoy these benefits when booking either through IHG Destined or a participating travel advisor:
a 100-property credit
free breakfast
room upgrades
early check-in and late checkout
If you’re looking for a spacious room in New York at a semi-reasonable price, this may be your best option.
Pricing is difficult to pin down for this property. Depending on the time of year, you can expect to pay between $250 and $650 per night, although some nights will be even more expensive.
I usually redeem points when I stay here, and for this specific visit, I booked 12 nights for the equivalent of about $2,500 during the summer. Keep in mind that August is the cheapest time of year in New York, aside from January and February.
InterContinental New York hotel entrance
Want free breakfast, a room upgrade, and $100+ in credit?
Book through our travel advisor link and get the same rate as booking direct, plus meaningful extras at no additional cost.
- $100+ property credit
- Complimentary breakfast for 2
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in & late checkout, subject to availability
* More benefits may apply at select properties
InterContinental New York Times Square Lobby and Check-in Experience
Upon arrival, the lobby is usually busy, with a constant sense of hustle and bustle. If you’re an Ambassador member, IHG’s paid loyalty status for InterContinental, you can use the dedicated Ambassador check-in, which is a lovely seated experience with wonderful staff.
InterContinental New York Ambassador check-in
InterContinental New York check-in
If not, the front desk staff will take care of you. We were done with check-in in about five minutes, even though there was a line when we arrived.
InterContinental New York check-in
For this stay, we were upgraded to a 1 King Premium Corner Midtown View on the 30th floor, specifically room 3025.
InterContinental New York map
One of the most frustrating parts of many New York hotels is long elevator waits, but that won’t be a problem here. The hotel has six elevators, four of which serve the higher floors. Stepping out of the elevator, you’re greeted by a classic-looking hallway.
InterContinental New York elevator
InterContinental New York hallways
InterContinental New York hallways
InterContinental New York Times Square Room Features and Amenities
Normally, I try to book the junior suites, which offer some of the best space-for-money value of any hotel room I’ve stayed in New York. Those are always on the 8th Avenue side of the hotel, while this time we were assigned a king corner room facing the Hudson River.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view
I’ll be honest: the room feels dated, and that’s often the first impression here. The bed headboard, curtains, and carpet are especially revealing of the hotel’s age. But the upside of that age is the remarkably generous room size.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view room
All rooms at the InterContinental New York Times Square are at least 30 m² (325 sq ft), which means you have plenty of room to spread out and store your bags. Along the window, there’s a large desk with space for two people to work. We even requested an extra chair so we could do that.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view large desk
Then there’s a massive TV against the backdrop of our stunning west-facing view toward the Hudson River and New Jersey.
Charging is conveniently located on the desk as well.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view charging outlets
IInterContinental New York king premium corner midtown charging outlets
Further into the room, there’s a comfortable chair with sweeping south-facing views, including the World Trade Center.
IInterContinental New York king premium corner midtown chair
Even though the room feels old, the large windows bring in plenty of natural light, making it feel spacious and airy, unlike at the Kimpton Theta up the road. Ironically, the highlight of this hotel for us is the beds, which are among the most comfortable we’ve experienced anywhere in the world. They strike the perfect balance between plush and supportive, and we sleep like babies every night.
IInterContinental New York king premium corner midtown room
In New York, small details go a long way, like these massive nightstands.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view nightstand
There’s plenty of storage in the drawer below, and the desk under the TV also includes several large drawers. Further along the desk, you’ll find the minibar and room service menu.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view snacks tray
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view minibar
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view room service menu
It’s also worth noting that in the winter, or at least during cooler times of year than August, every room has a window that can be opened for fresh air.
The bathroom is another highlight of the InterContinental New York Times Square. It’s far more modern than the bedroom and actually feels luxurious, with large showers, high-quality toilets, and plenty of counter space by the sinks.
InterContinental New York bathroom sink
InterContinental New York bathroom sink
InterContinental New York amenity kit
The water pressure is good, and as a luxury soap lover, I really appreciate InterContinental’s Byredo products.
InterContinental New York Byredo bathroom toiletries
InterContinental New York shower
InterContinental New York bathroom
One last feature: there’s a closet to the right in the hallway. It isn’t large, but it does provide additional storage and helps the room feel even more spacious.
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view closet
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view coffee maker
InterContinental New York king premium corner midtown view closet
Overall, the rooms at the InterContinental New York Times Square remind us that it’s easy to get used to an older design when the space and comfort are this good.
InterContinental New York Times Square Dining Experience
Breakfast at the InterContinental New York Times Square is pretty solid by New York standards, with a decent, high-quality spread. The service is especially noteworthy. It’s always remarkably friendly. Even if we haven’t stayed here in six months, the staff recognizes us and warmly welcomes us back. The downside is that breakfast can be busy, and wait times can be long.
InterContinental New York breakfast setting
Even right when it opens at 7:00 a.m., expect to wait 10 to 15 minutes for a table most mornings, which is unfortunate but understandable given the relatively small restaurant.
InterContinental New York breakfast setting
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breads section
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast buffet
InterContinental New York breakfast yogurt
InterContinental New York cereal station
InterContinental New York Times Square gym
The hotel doesn’t have a spa or sauna, but even many five-star hotels in New York don’t offer those. What it does have is a large, decently equipped gym. During a two-week stay, we did miss a bit of equipment, but it gets the job done, and at least it isn’t in a basement like so many New York hotel gyms. In fact, I’d say it’s nearly on par with the gym at the Mandarin Oriental New York, which costs three to four times as much.
InterContinental New York gym equipments
InterContinental New York gym equipments
InterContinental New York gym equipment
InterContinental New York gym equipment
InterContinental New York gym equipment
InterContinental New York gym equipment
InterContinental New York gym equipment
InterContinental New York gym equipment
Where is InterContinental New York Located?
The location is a great compromise. It is close to almost all Broadway shows in Times Square, but still just far enough removed from the chaos. Because the hotel is on the west side of 8th Avenue, you’re a little farther from the crowds and within easy walking distance of 9th and 10th Avenues, which are much calmer. If you leave the hotel and walk right, you’re about 15 steps from a subway entrance with access to about a third of New York’s subway lines, which is incredibly convenient.
InterContinental New York hotel exterior
InterContinental New York hotel exterior
I personally far prefer this location to staying right in the middle of Times Square, like at the EDITION or the W Times Square. It really is the best of both worlds, especially if you’re visiting New York for the first time or are here for Broadway.
InterContinental New York hotel street view
interContinental New York Detailed Scoring Breakdown
Room: 7/10
Bathroom: 7/10
Night’s Sleep: 9/10
Value for Money: 7/10
Breakfast: 5/10
Condition: 6/10
Service: 4/5
Dining: 2/5
Location: 4/5
Amenities: 4/5
Wellness: 3/5
Pools: 0/5
Overall Feeling: 7/10
Total: 65/100. See how it compares to other properties in our full luxury hotel rankings.
Positives of InterContinental New York Times Square
Generously sized rooms — every room is at least 325 sq ft, a rarity in New York, with real space to spread out and store bags
Large desk with room for two to work, plus convenient desk-side charging
Massive TV and stunning views (Hudson River/New Jersey to the west, World Trade Center to the south), with big windows that keep the room feeling bright and airy
Oversized nightstands and desk drawers for genuinely useful storage
Beds are a standout — among the most comfortable anywhere, plush yet supportive
Bathroom is a highlight: modern, large showers, high-quality toilets, ample counter space, strong water pressure, and Byredo amenities
Only six elevators but four dedicated to upper floors, so no long elevator waits — a common NY hotel pain point avoided here
Fast, friendly check-in (~5 minutes despite a line), with an especially nice seated Ambassador check-in experience for status holders
Staff recognize and warmly welcome repeat guests even after months away
Solid, high-quality breakfast spread by NY standards
Large, well-equipped gym — not stuck in a basement, and nearly on par with the Mandarin Oriental's gym at a fraction of the cost
Location is a strong compromise: close to Broadway/Times Square but on the calmer west side of 8th Ave, ~15 steps from a subway entrance covering about a third of NYC's lines
Now part of IHG Destined, adding a 100-property credit, free breakfast, and space-available upgrades/early check-in/late checkout
Excellent value, especially on points (12 nights for ~$2,500 in this case)
Areas of Improvement of InterContinental New York Times Square
Rooms feel dated — headboard, curtains, and carpet show the hotel's age
Lobby is often busy with a constant hustle-and-bustle feel on arrival
Hallways have a dated, classic (rather than modern) look
Closet space is on the smaller side
Breakfast restaurant is small relative to demand — expect a 10–15 minute wait for a table even right at 7am opening
No spa or sauna (though the review notes this is common even among 5-star NY properties)
Gym misses some equipment variety during longer stays
Want free breakfast, a room upgrade, and $100+ in credit?
Book through our travel advisor link and get the same rate as booking direct, plus meaningful extras at no additional cost.
- $100+ property credit
- Complimentary breakfast for 2
- Room upgrade, subject to availability
- Early check-in & late checkout, subject to availability
* More benefits may apply at select properties
