The Charm is in the details at Intercontinental Times Square

This past week Unilever invited their Family Dish Ambassadors to NYC for the weekend. I am lucky to not only be a member of this fun group of talented bloggers, but also to live here because I got to do the one thing I love the most in The Big Apple and that is to play tourist.

One of my favorite parts about playing tourist in NYC is getting to stay in the hotels and this weekend was no exception for I got to stay at the brand-spanking new Intercontinental Times Square. This hotel which opened its doors July 12 of 2010, is one of the biggest hotels in Manhattan, towering 36 stories tall, overlooking the center of it all. It boasts 607 guest rooms with large windows offering breathtaking views of  Broadway on one side and the Hudson River on another. The hotel also has 29 suites including a 2700-sq-ft Presidential Suite with three bedrooms, two-story living space with master bedroom fireplace, private bath with a free standing tub and sliding glass doors overlooking spectacular views of New York City.

I could not get enough of the views from my room. It was all there, even on a cloudy day. The lights, the buzz, the energy of the city was enough to make me exhale as I melted into the many soft pillows on my bed.  For me it never, ever gets old to look out into my city. The views are but only one detail that was seriously considered when building this wonderful addition to NYC’s hospitality scene.

The next thing I noticed immediately after the views was the bathroom. The beautiful blue tiles were soft and gave the bathroom a soothing feel. The overhead shower that allowed water to rain on me almost made me late for several appointments during my adventure. But what I thought was also great, and really added an element of sophistication were the smaller details such as the blue towels – not standard white, boring, hospital-like towels – and other smaller items like the wooden tissue box cover and container of little bathroom things. The color of a towel may not seem like much to some, but for me it highlights the level of attention and thought that went into offering something different through the design, something which many hotels in Times Square just don’t have.

I have always admired how Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) worldwide have a corporate involvement policy for giving back to the communities in which they are located. Whether it be volunteerism or eco-friendly efforts, IHG has been really great at making it a top priority at incorporating these ideologies into the company culture (read more on IHG’s Corporate Responsibility). Because the Times Square location has just recently opened, they haven’t done much within the community just yet, though they have already reached out to help in the planting and conservation of community gardens. However, internally they have incorporated many green practices, such as the reduction of waste. One way they have incorporated this effort is through the placing of  in-room wireless computer monitor where guests can connect online as well as check information and features on the hotel, their room charges, restaurants, etc. The hotel also has two green roofs planted with moss and seeds that help reduce the use of electric energy throughout. All of these elements have positioned the Intercontinental Times Square as the greenest hotel in Manhattan, and also as the new largest hotel to achieve LEED status on the Eastern Seaboard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Guests have a number of eateries in the area to enjoy, including the newly opened Shake Shack on 8th Avenue (expect long lines). But, if you’d rather stay inside, you have the option of enjoying Todd English’s Ça Va restaurant, as well as drinks in the lounge next to a welcoming fireplace, or coffee and bakeries in the Ça Va Marche, the small cafe, which I saw many local commuters stop to enjoy on their way to work.

There are accommodations for traveling families as well, with two-bedroom suites that include an office (2nd bedroom), living area, and dining room. The views are amazing, and with two bathrooms there is enough space for everyone to spread out.

The hotel has a large Business Center and Ballroom area at the lower level. Every immaculate detail is continued here as well, from carpet design to intricate details on the doors to conference room names that celebrate the surrounding community to chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom area waiting to make any event a memorable one. I thought their fitness center was top notch. I loved the exposed brick walls throughout, the space, and the equipment with all a traveler could need, including language preferences.

My children were greeted with smiles all around upon despite their boisterous excitement upon entering. The staff was friendly and helpful to all those who they encountered. I watched as staff members worked in unison to help guests out of a horrible rainstorm and how they effortlessly accommodated my last minute request for a reservation change. Guests will also find a Concierge Lounge in the lobby, which seemed to be very well utilized during my stay as there was always someone there helping someone else every time I passed by.

At the time of my stay the price for my one double-bed room was $365.oo for two nights, including tax. An extra fee for online Internet usage applies, with varying price plans available. Centrally located, with lots to offer any visitor to New York City, I would recommend the Intercontinental Times Square to travels with or without kids in tow, as it accommodates both types of travelers perfectly.

Intercontinental New York Times Square – 300 West 44th St., New York, NY * Tel: 212-803-4501

Disclosure: This review is based on a complimentary, all-expense paid visit by Unilever. The views and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Tags: nyc hotels, Times Square
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