InterContinental New York Times Square
Best for being inside the Theater District — closest to Broadway, Times Square and a subway entrance at the property.
Hotel comparison guide
InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
InterContinental New York Times Square is a 36-floor, 607-room luxury hotel in the Theater District for travelers who want immediate Broadway and Times Square access. The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel is a 5-star, 282-room Fifth Avenue landmark steps from Central Park for travelers seeking classic Fifth Avenue prestige and formal-event facilities.
Updated · about 1.2 km apart
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
Best for a classic Central Park–facing, Fifth Avenue luxury stay with formal event spaces and an on-site spa.
Quick Verdict: InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
When InterContinental New York Times Square wins: choose the InterContinental if proximity to Broadway and Times Square matters, if you need a large modern hotel with many rooms and a 24-hour fitness center, or if you want direct access to the A, C and E subway lines at the property.
When The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel wins: choose The Plaza for a historic Fifth Avenue address, a formal hotel atmosphere with ballroom and meeting space for weddings or events, and on-site spa services and concierge-driven luxury.
Bottom line: both are full-service luxury Manhattan hotels but serve different priorities — InterContinental for theater/transport convenience and scale; The Plaza for Central Park prestige, event spaces and a classic luxury identity.
InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – At a Glance
| Category | InterContinental New York Times Square | The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary luxury focused on Theater District crowds and convenience | Historic, formal Fifth Avenue landmark with classic luxury service |
| Location | 300 W 44th St; steps from Broadway and Times Square (≈0.1–0.2 mi) | 768 Fifth Avenue; steps from Central Park and 5th Avenue shopping |
| Size (rooms) | 607 rooms across 36 floors | 282 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome (minimum check-in age 18) | |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen (American gastropub); 1 restaurant on site | 2 restaurants (The Palm Court highlighted) and 2 bars/lounges |
| Spa & wellness | No dedicated spa (24-hour fitness center on 3rd floor) | Full-service spa on site |
| Event space | Gotham Ballroom and ~10,000–14,000 sq ft of meeting space across multiple rooms | About 21,496 sq ft (1,997 m²) of conference/meeting space and 9 meeting rooms |
| Known for | Theater District location and Broadway access | Iconic Fifth Avenue landmark, proximity to Central Park |
| Connectivity | Direct access to A, C and E subway lines at the property; free Wi‑Fi | Central location for walking to museums and shopping; free Wi‑Fi |
A Look Inside InterContinental New York Times Square
See all photos →
Location: Times Square convenience vs Fifth Avenue prestige
InterContinental New York Times Square – Location
InterContinental sits on West 44th Street in the heart of the Theater District, steps from Broadway and a subway entrance at the property.
- About 0.1–0.2 miles to Times Square; Richard Rodgers and Shubert theatres nearby.
- Direct A, C and E subway entrance at the hotel for quick city travel.
- Short walk to restaurant row, Midtown attractions and Port Authority bus terminal.
Choose InterContinental for walkable Broadway access and unmatched public transit convenience.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – Location
The Plaza is on 5th Avenue at Central Park South, within a few minutes' walk of Central Park and high-end shopping.
- Steps from Central Park and 5th Avenue shopping; close to Rockefeller Center and MoMA.
- Centrally located for museum visits and formal city sightseeing.
- Classic Fifth Avenue address that reads as a Central Park stay rather than Midtown theater access.
Choose The Plaza when proximity to Central Park, museums and Fifth Avenue shopping matters.
Rooms: scale and modern rooms vs individually decorated landmark rooms
InterContinental New York Times Square – Rooms
InterContinental offers 607 rooms and a wide choice of room types across 36 floors, including suites and a duplex penthouse.
- Room types include Classic, Premium and Junior Suite options with spa‑inspired bathrooms and rain showers.
- 29 suites and a 2,700‑sq‑ft duplex penthouse for larger groups or special stays.
- Free Wi‑Fi and in‑room safes; many rooms are designed for business and leisure travelers.
InterContinental is better if you want many room options, larger capacity and modern hotel amenities.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – Rooms
The Plaza has 282 individually decorated guestrooms with classic furnishings and premium bedding.
- Room types include Room, Deluxe Room, Terrace Room King and Grand Luxe King Room.
- Rooms feature minibars, flat-screen TVs and designer toiletries; some rooms have terraces.
- Property emphasizes individually decorated rooms and signature Plaza touches.
The Plaza is better if you prefer a landmark hotel's individually styled rooms and period character.
Dining & drinks: one lively theater-side restaurant vs classic hotel dining
InterContinental New York Times Square – Dining & drinks
InterContinental's main dining is The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, a lively American restaurant and bar by Todd English.
- The Stinger serves breakfast (buffet), lunch and dinner; bar/lounge open into the evening.
- In‑room dining available daily from 6:30 AM–10:45 PM.
- Restaurant spaces can be used for private dining and small events.
Pick InterContinental for a modern, casual American restaurant convenient for pre‑ or post‑theater meals.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – Dining & drinks
The Plaza offers more traditional, formal dining options including The Palm Court and two bars/lounges.
- The Palm Court is a signature dining venue noted in the hotel's listing.
- Two bars/lounges and 24‑hour room service give more formal or classic dining choices.
- Breakfast and full dining are available for a surcharge; concierge can arrange reservations.
Pick The Plaza for classic, formal hotel dining and a traditional luxury food-and‑drink experience.
Signature amenity: event spaces and ballrooms
InterContinental New York Times Square – Signature amenity
InterContinental centers large events around the Gotham Ballroom and a dedicated meeting floor.
- Gotham Ballroom is a pillar-free space (about 4,000 sq ft) that holds up to 400 guests.
- Multiple meeting rooms named after Manhattan parks for breakout sessions and private events.
- About 10,000–14,000 sq ft total event space depending on source.
InterContinental is a strong choice for mid‑to‑large conferences and theater-district weddings.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – Signature amenity
The Plaza lists nearly 21,496 sq ft of conference and meeting space with nine meeting rooms and a ballroom.
- Large conference footprint suitable for formal weddings and high‑profile events.
- Event support includes banquet halls, ballrooms and dedicated event services.
- Many spaces are positioned for formal, seated affairs and receptions.
The Plaza is ideal for formal events that benefit from a landmark Fifth Avenue address and classic ballrooms.
Wellness & nightlife: fitness vs spa and classic lounges
InterContinental New York Times Square – Wellness & nightlife
InterContinental offers a 24-hour fitness center but does not have a dedicated spa or on-site pool.
- Fitness center on the third floor with cardio, strength equipment and free weights (open 24 hours).
- No on-site pool or dedicated spa facility — rooms have spa‑inspired bathrooms.
- Nearby nightlife options in Times Square and Midtown for bars and late-night dining.
InterContinental suits guests who prioritize round‑the‑clock workouts and immediate nightlife access.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel – Wellness & nightlife
The Plaza provides an on-site full-service spa and traditional hotel bars/lounges for a quieter, classic evening.
- Full-service spa with massages, body treatments and facials listed among hotel features.
- Two bars/lounges for evening drinks in a more formal setting than the Theater District.
- Bicycle rentals and a 24‑hour fitness facility are also noted in hotel amenities.
The Plaza is better for guests seeking spa treatments and more formal evening lounges near Central Park.
Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style
InterContinental New York Times Square
InterContinental New York Times Square — steps from Broadway, Times Square and with a subway entrance at the property.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel — iconic Central Park South address, formal ballrooms and historic hotel character.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
The Plaza — listed full-service spa with treatments, facials and dedicated spa spaces.
InterContinental New York Times Square
InterContinental — 607 rooms and many room-type options including suites and a duplex penthouse.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQs →InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel: FAQs
Which hotel is closer to Broadway shows?
InterContinental New York Times Square is much closer to Broadway and the Theater District; it’s a few minutes’ walk to many theaters.
Which hotel is better for a wedding or large formal event?
Both hotels have ballrooms and event space — The Plaza lists a larger total conference footprint and a landmark address, while InterContinental has the Gotham Ballroom and flexible meeting floors in the Theater District.
Do either of these hotels have a pool?
InterContinental New York Times Square does not have an on-site swimming pool. The Plaza’s supplier listing does not publish a pool detail.
Which hotel has a spa?
The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel lists a full-service spa; InterContinental New York Times Square does not operate a dedicated spa facility.
More InterContinental New York Times Square Comparison Guides
Explore how InterContinental New York Times Square stacks up against other hotels nearby:
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Waldorf Astoria New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The St. Regis New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Four Seasons Hotel New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Mandarin Oriental, New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Park Hyatt New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs JW Marriott Essex House New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs Lotte New York Palace
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The New York EDITION
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Times Square EDITION
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs The Knickerbocker Hotel
- InterContinental New York Times Square vs New York Marriott Marquis
- All InterContinental New York Times Square comparisons
Book your stay
Theater District Stay with Free Wi‑Fi
- Lowest rate guarantee
- Complimentary perks & upgrades
- 24/7 concierge