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Established as Manhattan’s preeminent luxury hotel in 1926, InterContinental New York Barclay proudly celebrates 100 years of timeless elegance, exceptional service, and unforgettable memories. On November 4, 2026, we officially mark a century of welcoming guests from around the world. Throughout the past year, our “Journey to 100” campaign has honored the people, moments, and stories that have shaped The Barclay’s remarkable legacy. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we invite all who have stayed with us over the decades to share their fondest memories and become part of our story.

How can you participate? Share your memories and photos with us through our 1920s-inspired digital telegram below and tell your #MyBarclay story. If you’re visiting us, stop by the front desk to request a traditional paper telegram and put pen to paper. As we receive your cherished anecdotes, we will feature select stories on our page, celebrating the memories that have defined our first century as we look ahead to the next 100 years.

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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.

November | 2020s

Taste

The Parlour Through The Decades

The 2020s marked a new chapter in New York’s culinary landscape, as restaurants reimagined the dining experience in a rapidly changing world. From the rise of intimate gatherings and inventive takes on comfort food to a growing appreciation for seasonal ingredients and lighter cocktails, the decade brought a fresh perspective to the city’s celebrated food culture.

Join us in The Parlour or through In-Room Dining for a taste of the 2020s!

Sound

The Barclay Playlist

The 2020s ushered in a new era of music shaped by digital innovation, viral trends, and global influence. Streaming continued to dominate, while social media platforms transformed how songs were discovered, turning emerging artists into overnight sensations and bringing decades-old hits back into the spotlight. Pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music continued to evolve, while genres like Afrobeats, K-pop, and Latin music reached new heights of global popularity. From viral sensations to record-breaking tours, the decade celebrated creativity, nostalgia, and cultural connection, creating a soundtrack that reflected an ever-changing world.

Sight

The Barclay Times

The Barclay Times carries you into the 2020s, a decade marked by rapid change, resilience, and a renewed spirit of innovation. Newspapers chronicled a world navigating unprecedented challenges, the rise of artificial intelligence, and new ways of living, working, and connecting. Across New York City, headlines captured the return of Broadway, evolving fashion and dining trends, and the continued transformation of the city’s iconic neighborhoods. From groundbreaking developments to cultural milestones, each edition offers a glimpse into a decade defined by adaptability, creativity, and New York’s enduring spirit of reinvention.

Touch

The Barclay Residence

The Barclay Residence invites you to step inside a living century. As The Barclay celebrates its 100th anniversary, this immersive room package brings a different decade of our storied past to life each month. In November, experience a stay inspired by the innovation, resilience, and evolving spirit of 2020s New York. Thoughtfully curated touches capture a decade shaped by technological advancements, renewed creativity, and a vibrant cultural landscape, offering a memorable journey through an era that continues to redefine the way New Yorkers live, explore, and connect with the city around them.

Smell

Barclay 1926

Nearly a century after Caswell-Massey first welcomed guests from its flagship at The Barclay, the two storied New York names come together once again. Created in celebration of The Barclay’s Centennial, Barclay 1926 is an exclusive signature fragrance inspired by a history that began under the same roof.

The scent draws from the character of The Barclay today, with honeyed citrus inspired by the hotel’s rooftop apiary unfolding into a serene green heart. Refined yet unmistakably New York, each note reflects the timeless elegance and sense of place that have defined the hotel for generations.

Barclay 1926 brings a shared legacy into a new century, transforming a piece of The Barclay’s history into a fragrance designed to be remembered.

Barclay 1926 is available for purchase on Caswell-Massey’s website or at the Barclay Boutique in the hotel lobby.

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The Barclay: Past & Present

IC Barclay App

As we celebrate our 100th Anniversary on November 4, 2026, discover the timeless charm of The Barclay with our official app, your complete guide to a century of history and hospitality. Explore captivating stories and archival photos that bring the hotel’s storied 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 has made this landmark special for the past 100 years and continues to shape its future.

A Century of New York, Captured in a Scent

Barclay 1926

A shared chapter in New York history inspires Barclay 1926, an exclusive signature fragrance created to commemorate The Barclay’s Centennial. Caswell-Massey, whose flagship once called The Barclay home in 1926, returns a century later to celebrate the enduring connection between two iconic New York names.

Inspired by the spirit of the hotel and its rooftop apiary above Manhattan, the fragrance opens with luminous notes of honeyed citrus before revealing a fresh, tranquil green heart. The result is an elegant expression of The Barclay, blending its storied past with the energy and sophistication of New York today.

Created to mark 100 years while looking toward those still to come, Barclay 1926 captures the essence of The Barclay in a scent to carry with you long after your stay.

Discover Barclay 1926 at the Barclay Boutique in the hotel lobby or purchase online through Caswell-Massey.

A Culinary History Journey Awaits

The Parlour Through The Decades

Step into The Parlour or indulge in In-Room Dining and take part in a curated journey through The Barclay’s decades of history — a celebration building month by month toward our 100th anniversary on November 4, 2026.

Each month, guests will discover a newly revealed specials menu inspired by a featured era, paired with a keepsake coaster showcasing a signature cocktail of the decade. From the glamour of early New York society to the bold reinvention of modern Manhattan, every selection is designed to evoke the flavors, stories, and style of the time.

November: 2020s - Experiential & Low-ABV Trends

The 2020s marked a new chapter in New York’ s culinary landscape, as restaurants reimagined the dining experience in a rapidly changing world. From the rise of intimate gatherings and inventive takes on comfort food to a growing appreciation for seasonal ingredients and lighter cocktails, the decade brought a fresh perspective to the city ’ s celebrated food culture.

The Parlour

In-Room Dining

Cocktail

Guestroom Package

The Barclay Residence

Depending on the month you book your stay, The Barclay Residence package invites you to experience a different decade of our storied past—through taste, design, and storytelling. History brought to life through all five senses in one unforgettable stay.

Extra, Extra!

The Barclay Times

Discover The Barclay Times, our monthly newspaper created in celebration of Journey to 100. Each issue invites guests to step into a different decade of The Barclay’s storied history, beginning with the 1920s, through curated highlights, cultural moments, and timeless Barclay traditions.

Inside, you’ll find decade-inspired stories, a feature on what was happening at The Barclay during that era, and a recurring look at The Parlour Through the Decades, connecting our past to the experiences unfolding today. Pick up your copy in the lobby or view it online and journey through time with us as we celebrate a century of hospitality.

Sounds of an Era

The Barclay Playlist

Every decade has a sound, and at The Barclay, that sound comes to life through The Barclay Playlist, a curated monthly soundtrack inspired by the era in focus. Subtle and atmospheric, new playlists are introduced every month, guiding guests from the rhythms of the 1920s through each era and into the present. The playlists are available on Spotify and Apple Music, allowing guests to listen on demand and extend The Barclay experience beyond their stay.

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.

America 250

As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we also mark a landmark year for the country we call home. In 2026, America turns 250.

This rare alignment honors the nation’s enduring spirit of enterprise and reinvention while celebrating a century of The Barclay’s own history, progress, and evolution. For us, that story is inseparable from New York City, the place that has shaped our standards, our pace, and our sense of possibility.

Our Founded by NYC video brings this shared legacy to life through stories from The Barclay, spotlighting the colleagues behind the experience and the craftsmanship that makes our hotel distinct, from warm welcomes at the front desk to the thoughtful care reflected in every room and every plate.

#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. 

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.

Carolina, Florida

This photograph captures a special moment from when my family lived at the Barclay Hotel. Pictured are my mother, Carmen, my brother Roberto, and me, around 1981 when I was about five years old. Returning all these years later feels incredibly meaningful, and it is so special to create new memories with my family in a place that has long been part of our story.

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