Thought I'd follow up on my stay at the Intercon Barclay. Overall, the hotel was very nice. The room was small - no surprise for NY - but relatively clean and well done. Considering it is a non-smoking hotel, i am curious as to where the strong cigarette smell was coming from. Bathroom was nice - not sure where all the tripadvisor complaints about the bathrooms come from The only downside of the room (besides smell of smoke) was the bed - I have had more comfortable beds in $70 airport motels. The matress support was completely collapsed and they tried to compensate and give the felling that it was nice by putting a thick featherbed pad on top of the matress. The food and other services at the hotel were stupidly expensive, but there are lots of cheap laces to grab breakfast or lunch across the street and within a 2 block radius. Internet access (if you dont have a laptop) is much chepaer at any Fedex Kinkos, the closest being 3rd and 47th - 2 blocks away, and apparently free at all NY public libraries. The best part was the view. The whole west side of the building looks onto a wall, most of the north side looks onto the Waldorf and most of the south side looks onto the JPMorgan building. Having booked at a discount, I had assumed that we woudl get put in a crappy room. Was very pleasently surprised when we were put on the South Side of the South East wing (facing 48th) of the 13th floor (14 floors total) with an amazing view of the Chrysler Building. Given the suroundings, not many rooms in the hotel have a view of this, so it more than made up for the bed! Was great to sit there with beer in hand after long day, looking at the lights of what, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful buildings in NYC. Given the price, I didnt see much lower than that after I booked, so quite happy with the value.
