New York is exhausting. If you’ve ever stepped out of Port Authority or walked three blocks in Midtown during rush hour, you know exactly what I mean. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s everything people love and hate about the city rolled into one giant, steam-venting mess. In the middle of that madness sits the Intercontinental New York Times Square.
People usually have one of two reactions when they hear "Times Square hotel." They either think it's the center of the universe or a tourist trap designed to drain your bank account while keeping you awake with the glow of a three-story M&M’S billboard. Honestly? This place is a bit of an outlier. It’s on 44th and 8th. That’s technically the "Times Square" district, but it feels like it’s holding its breath right on the edge of the real grit of Hell’s Kitchen.
It’s big. 36 stories. Over 600 rooms.
But it doesn't feel like a factory. Most hotels in this zip code cram you into what is essentially a carpeted closet with a window facing a brick wall. The Intercontinental is different because it was built from the ground up to be a luxury skyscraper, not a converted office building. That means floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re lucky enough to get a corner room on a high floor, the view isn't just a "feature"—it’s the entire point of the stay.
What Nobody Tells You About the Location
Location is everything, but "Times Square" is a broad term. You’re not staying on the Duffy Square red steps. Thank god for that. Instead, you’re positioned perfectly for Broadway. If you’re in town to see Hadestown or The Lion King, you can basically roll out of bed and be at the theater in four minutes.
It’s convenient.
But here’s the reality: 8th Avenue is colorful. You’re going to see the "real" New York the second you walk out those glass doors. There are commuters sprinting for the A/C/E subway lines, street vendors, and the general hum of a city that never sleeps (and rarely quietens down). Inside, however, the acoustic dampening is actually impressive. It’s one of those weird sensory shifts where you go from 100 decibels to total silence in the span of a revolving door.
The Room Situation: Space vs. Price
Let’s talk about the rooms because that’s where the Intercontinental New York Times Square either wins you over or loses you.
New York hotel rooms are notoriously tiny. We’ve all been there—trying to open a suitcase on the bed because there’s no floor space. Here, the entry-level rooms start at around 350 square feet. In Manhattan, that’s basically a mansion. The design is "mid-century modern meets corporate chic." It’s not "vibe-heavy" like a boutique hotel in Brooklyn, but it feels expensive.
The bathrooms are the sleeper hit.
Most of them feature these massive walk-in rain showers with blue mosaic tile. It feels more like a spa than a standard hotel bathroom. If you’re a fan of the brand’s partnership with Byredo, you’ll appreciate the Bal d'Afrique toiletries. They smell like a rich person’s vacation. It’s a nice touch.
- The Bed: It’s a Simmons Beautyrest specifically designed for the brand. It’s firm but has that cloud-like topper.
- The Lighting: One touch "all off" switches. Why doesn't every hotel have these?
- The View: Avoid the lower floors. Seriously. If you’re below the 10th floor, you’re looking at a parking garage or an office. Aim for 25 and up.
Dining and the "Stinger" Scene
For a while, the hotel was famous for Todd English’s Ca Va. That’s gone. Now, we have The Stinger Cocktail Bar and Kitchen. It’s overseen by Chef Todd Heberlein. The whole theme revolves around honey—they actually have beehives on the rooftop.
It’s kinda cool.
The honey finds its way into the cocktails and the food. Is it a destination restaurant for locals? Probably not. New York has too many world-class options within a ten-block radius for people to flock to a hotel lobby. But for a "I just got off a six-hour flight and can't handle a subway ride" meal, it’s actually solid. The atmosphere is moody, dark, and sophisticated. It feels like a place where a business deal or a breakup might happen.
The Environmental Elephant in the Room
One thing the Intercontinental New York Times Square pushes hard is their LEED Silver certification. In a city where old buildings leak heat and waste energy like a sieve, this place was built with sustainability in mind.
They use a lot of recycled materials. The "living green wall" in the lobby isn't just for Instagram; it’s part of the air filtration and aesthetic. They have a massive focus on reducing single-use plastics. Does this make your bed softer? No. But does it make you feel slightly better about the massive carbon footprint of a weekend in NYC? Maybe.
Why Some People Hate It (and Why They’re Wrong)
If you read reviews, you’ll see people complaining about the "resort fee" or "amenity fee." Welcome to New York in 2026. Almost every major hotel here charges it now. It’s usually around $35-$45 a night. At the Intercontinental, it usually includes a credit for food or beverage and some high-speed Wi-Fi. It’s annoying, but it’s the industry standard now.
Another gripe is the elevators. When the hotel is at 100% capacity, the wait times can get a little "Internal Revenue Service" levels of frustrating.
But honestly, the service usually makes up for it. The concierges here are part of the Les Clefs d’Or—the ones with the golden keys on their lapels. These guys aren't just Googling things for you. They have the phone numbers for the maitre d' at Buvette and can actually get you into a sold-out show if you’re willing to pay for it.
The Logistics of Staying Here
If you’re coming from JFK, expect a $70-$90 Uber ride depending on surge pricing. If you take the Long Island Rail Road into the new Grand Central Madison or Penn Station, you’re just a short cab ride away.
Pro tip: Don’t take a yellow cab from the hotel to go three blocks. Just walk. You’ll beat the traffic every single time.
The fitness center is on the third floor. It’s fine. It’s got Technogym equipment and overlooks 44th Street. It’s open 24/7, which is great if you’re jet-lagged and wide awake at 3:00 AM.
Is it Better Than the Marriott Marquis?
This is the question everyone asks. The Marquis is iconic. It has the revolving restaurant and that massive atrium. But the Marquis feels like a terminal. It’s crowded. It’s loud. It’s a spectacle.
The Intercontinental is for the person who wants to be near the spectacle but wants to be able to escape it. It feels more "grown-up." It’s quieter. The elevators don’t feel like a theme park ride. If you value a sense of calm after a day of navigating the concrete jungle, the Intercontinental wins every time.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you decide to book, don't just click "pay" on a third-party site and hope for the best. NYC hotels are a game of strategy.
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- Join IHG One Rewards. It’s free. Even if you have zero points, members often get late checkout or at least a higher priority for room assignments. In a 600-room hotel, you don't want to be the person they "stick" in the room next to the ice machine.
- Request a North-Facing High Floor. You’ll get views looking toward Central Park and the George Washington Bridge. The south-facing views are cool for the skyline, but the north side feels more "classic New York."
- Check the Broadway Schedule. If there’s a matinee on Wednesday or Saturday, 44th Street becomes a parking lot. Plan your arrivals and departures around these times or you’ll spend 20 minutes sitting in a car moving three inches a minute.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast. You’re in New York. Walk two blocks to a local deli or go to Junior's for cheesecake and eggs if you must do the tourist thing. The hotel breakfast is fine, but it’s expensive for what it is.
- Use the Concierge. Seriously. If you’re staying at a property of this caliber, use the expertise. Ask them for a recommendation in Hell’s Kitchen for dinner. It’s where the locals actually eat, and it’s right behind the hotel.
Staying at the Intercontinental New York Times Square isn't about finding a cheap place to crash. It’s about a specific kind of New York experience where you’re in the thick of it, but you have a very tall, very quiet glass tower to retreat to when the city gets to be a bit too much. It’s a luxury fortress in the middle of the world’s most famous intersection.