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Established as Manhattan’s preeminent luxury hotel in 1926, InterContinental New York Barclay is fortunate and honored to soon reach 100 years of service. November 4, 2025 began our one year countdown to a century. To help us celebrate, we’ve launched our “Journey to 100” campaign, encouraging any and all guests who have stayed at The Barclay over the years to share some of their fondest memories.  

How can you participate? Share your memories with us in our digital telegram à-la-1920s below and tell your #MyBarclay story – or, if you’re visiting us, stop by the front desk and request a hard copy telegram to put pen to paper. As we receive your uplifting anecdotes, we will be featuring some of them on our page to reminisce and share your tales.    

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David W. Dunlap's account to his fourth-grade class of what he saw at the hotel during a trip he and his mother made to Manhattan from Chicago in 1962. Read full article.

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The Barclay: Past & Present

IC Barclay App

As we count down to our 100th Anniversary on November 4th, 2026, discover the timeless charm of The Barclay with our official app, your complete guide to both history and hospitality. Explore captivating stories and archival photos that bring the hotel’s past to life while enjoying modern convenience with a full directory of services, dining, amenities, and local recommendations—all at your fingertips. Whether you’re here to learn, explore, or simply make your stay seamless, The Barclay app connects you to everything that makes this landmark special.

Historic Package

Relish in the History

Depending on the month you book your stay, our Journey to 100 package invites you to experience a different decade of our storied past—through taste, design, and storytelling.

Proud Member

Historic Hotels of America

As a proud member of Historic Hotels of America, the InterContinental New York Barclay stands as a living landmark of timeless elegance and storied heritage. Since opening its doors in 1926, The Barclay has welcomed world leaders, cultural icons, and discerning travelers from around the globe. Today, we continue to celebrate our rich history while offering modern luxuries, ensuring every guest becomes part of our enduring story.

#MyBarclay Stories

Sara, Georgia

My grandfather, Israr, worked with InterContinental Hotels Group for over 40 years, and The Barclay was always the highlight of his travels. He often shared stories of flying into New York on Pan Am, attending meetings in the Pan Am building, and staying at The Barclay. Originally from Pakistan, he embraced the city like a true New Yorker — mornings with coffee from a nearby deli, walks through Midtown, and friendships formed within The Barclay’s walls.

Later in his career, he settled in Dubai but continued to travel to New York often, always staying at The Barclay. My family created countless memories there over the years, visiting during summers and holidays. When my mother and I returned in 2021, he joined us on FaceTime, pointing out how much had changed yet remained the same. He passed away in December 2023, but his stories and love for The Barclay live on in us. We miss him every second of every day, and the Barclay will always be an important place for us. In fact, we often call it "his Barclay".

Paul, New York

My dad used to work at the NYC Barclay hotel newsstand in the 1970s. I met Shirley Temple there during one of my visits. When my dad got sick, I took over until I had to go back to school. I remember the gilded birdcage in the lobby with colorful exotic birds. It was a very pleasant and peaceful place to work in.

*Pictured: The Barclay's central revolving door with eight brass warbler silhouettes as a homage to the birdcage.

Cailli, Ireland

We’ve stayed at the InterContinental New York Barclay many times, but in March 2020 my husband and I were there with our 13-month-old baby when New York went into lockdown. The hotel quickly emptied, and we were among the last guests before it closed. Each day our baby practiced walking around the quiet lobby, which became a safe haven during such a frightening time. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, and we managed to get an earlier flight home to Ireland. I’ll never forget their warmth and care. We have returned since and plan to always stay here when we come back to New York City to visit.

Gerald, London

I used to travel on business from London to New York often and The Barclay was always my hotel of choice. The new renovation is beautiful. They did an amazing job keeping the historic charm, but made it modern and luxury. 

Jonathan, England

I have been staying at the Barclay on business trips from London since 2003. I always stay an extra day so I can enjoy the Saturday in New York and relax in the beautiful hotel. I start the day with a run in Central Park. On the way back to the hotel I always buy a coffee and sit in the foyer for a few hours reading the papers and watching people come and go. I then have brunch at one of the great local restaurants, before a bit of shopping on Fifth Ave. Then in the afternoon I come back to the Parlour for a well deserved Martini and a good chat with one of the bartenders who always remember my name - It's my perfect day in New York.

Ethan, Ohio

BEST HOTEL IN ALL OF NEW YORK! Now that I am back home, I have spent hours researching New York City’s deep history and looking through countless photos of my trip. I miss the Big Apple every day and my time there was even better thanks to your amazing staff!

Denise, South Carolina

My family and I love coming to The Barclay during the holidays. We have family all across New England and we come together at the hotel for almost four years now. 

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

Ernest Hemmingway, Former Barclay Resident 

Poem by Michael Rosenwasser

The Barclay

We lingered in the delightfully ornate lobby, on lunchtime escapades one short block from our office on Park Avenue.

We imagined ourselves elegantly sipping everything from champagne to afternoon tea, elaborate fox hunts in the Hamptons, golf at Shinnecock, nights at the opera.

In that lobby dreaming so often, the staff became confidants. Recounters of the vast history of the hotel. While the Petes and Jims and Gerrys toiled back on the third floor of the office at the bank.

Ourselves. Together. Imagining.

Until the ourselves together imagining became a reality.

Lacking fox hunts, or golf at Shinnecock. Just one opera. Fifty years later, still chasing dream upon dream.

Ourselves. Together. Imagining.

Written by Michael Rosenwasser, who revisited The Barclay with his wife Suzanne, in celebration of their 50th Anniversary in June 2023. They were co-workers at Chemical Bank in 1972-73, who were dating and often spent their lunch hours sitting in or wandering around The Barclay lobby.

A Landmark is Born

Midtown East is one of the most important and influential neighborhoods not just in the city, but in the world. Everything changed here in the early 1900s, when the New York Central Railroad — owned by the Vanderbilt family — decided to electrify its rail tracks and place them underground. This sparked a building boom on the streets north of Grand Central Terminal, giving rise to sleek Park Avenue penthouses, gleaming skyscrapers, and some of the most elegant hotels in the world — including InterContinental New York Barclay. Take a look at the timeline below to see how the hotel has evolved over the years.

The Barclay through the years

Scroll through our timeline from the inspection of The Barclay to present day. 

Timeline

2001

75th Anniversary The Barclay New York

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2016

Introducing the new InterContinental New York Barclay

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2026

The Barclay Celebrates 100 Years