New York: 1920s. Grand Central Station was like traditional European rail stations. Bustling, crowded, dirty- and all above ground. Enter the Vanderbilt family, who had a unique idea: put the railways and station underground and build out the air space. The result opened up acres of land and allowed skyscrapers to develop, four of which were slated as hotels for the train travelers passing through. One of the properties is The Barclay, a hotel that was meant to provide a residential feel to travelers with oversized hallways, in-room fireplaces and a grand, welcoming lobby. Guests could utilize a tunnel system to take them directly to the trains, purchasing fares at the lobby ticket window.

Today, the upscale and worldwide InterContinental chain owns and operates the Barclay. It shut the hotel doors for 20 months and invested $180 million in renovations. When it reopened in April 2016, the InterContinental Barclay juxtaposed modern style and comforts with the hotel’s original Federalist and Jazz Age beginnings. The result is a refined hotel property, worthy of its station.

Of the more than 700 rooms and suites available in the InterContinental, all have been renovated. Formerly, guests complained about tiny bathrooms and too much street noise. The hotel enlarged bathrooms and replaced the windows with triple-paned windows that block out most noise (save the occasional siren). Rooms were transformed from dark woods and maroons to a gray and white palate and a return to the hotel's original Federalist style.

The hotel can guarantee connecting rooms and the largest rooms available to families are connecting a standard room with two queen beds to a suite, which features a living room with sofa bed and a king master. This combination can sleep eight comfortably with a shared living room and two full bathrooms.

Some rooms have stand-up showers only and some have bathtubs. If you need a room with a tub, be sure to call and request one.

Suites
Thirty-one one-bedroom suites are available. The standard suites start at 500 square feet and offer a king or two double beds and a sleeper sofa in the separate living area. Deluxe suites start at 750 square feet and feature decorative fireplaces and a small dining area. Both offerings provide flat-screen TVs in the living and bedroom and marble bathrooms.

Standard Rooms
A number of standard rooms are available, with the most basic, a Superior, starting at 250 square feet and outfitted with a king or two queen beds. Deluxe rooms start at 275 square feet and Premier rooms start at 300 square feet. Executive rooms, also at 300 square feet, overlook Park Avenue, while Barclay rooms, at 275 square feet, feature corner, double exposure rooms for the best views. Sky Deluxe rooms, at 350 square feet, offers two double beds and a bit more space, and also connect to the Penthouse Sky Suite.

Club Level
Club level guests receive complimentary food and drinks, including breakfast and afternoon tea, in its club space. Guests also receive free Internet, newspapers and private check-in and check-out services.

As a traditional city hotel, the hotel does not feature any specific family offerings. Instead, guests of the InterContinental are provided a residential feel to come back to after a day exploring the city. The hotel is within walking distance of Central Park, Dylan's Candy Bar, Serendipity and Grand Central Station.

Being a city hotel, the InterContinental Barclay doesn't compete with New York's healthy array of restaurant offerings. Instead, it provides its lobby Barclay Restaurant, with a menu of modern, international cuisine. A breakfast buffet is featured daily from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., and then the restaurant provides a la carte dining for lunch (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and dinner (5 to 11 p.m.)

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available at a fee.

The Art of Smart Timing
New York City is a year-round vacation destination. However, the InterContinental is a popular business hotel due its Midtown East location, making weekend deals easier to come by.

Getting There
The InterContinental Barclay is located just a few blocks from Grand Central Station. Driving in, you will need to take West 38th Street and Park Avenue Viaduct to East 48th Street. Of course, arriving via train or subway is quite easy. Taxis from Newark, La Guardia and JFK will take about 45 minutes.

Getting Around
This is Midtown New York; walking, subway and taxi are all means to get around the city.

For Mom and Dad
The hotel's Gin Parlour, in the lobby, features 80 types of gin and 88 variations of gin drinks as a nod to its Jazz Age origins. The bar is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.