The new InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel is the largest hotel in New York City to achieve LEED certification, as well as the largest new hotel in The Big Apple to open since 2002. The 36-story, 607 room hotel is a shining example of eco-friendly green luxury.
Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the view — which includes Times Square, the Hudson River and Central Park — and cuts down on heating requirements in winter and the need for lights during the day. Green roofs on the second and seventh floors feature low-maintenance plants that retain heat in winter and absorb sunlight and heat in summer.
Motion sensors in stairwells and storage areas reduce electric usage, along with use of LED and flourescent lighting in guestrooms.
Housekeeping uses only green, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and the hotel restaurants — including a high-end Todd English restaurant — are composting food scraps and waste.
The green IntercContinental Times Square New York was constructed with 20% recycled materials, most of which was from within 500 miles of Times Square, which reduced both transportation costs and the pollution associated with moving construction materials long distances.
Eco-friendly green paints, carpeting and other materials, with reduced volatile compounds, are used throughout for better air quality.
The hotel’s decor also reflects a sensibility that supports both green, sustainable practices and also New York City — Meeting rooms are named for New York City parks, and the lobby and hallways feature original artwork by local artists.
All rooms in the new InterContinental New York Times Square feature 42-inch HDTV flat panel television screens and touch-screen computers and ‘rainforest’ showers.
Guestrooms range from 350 sq. ft. to the sumptuous three-bedroom penthouse Presidential Suite on two levels, with a gas-fired fireplace on both levels and panoramic views on three sides of the building. That one rents for $15,000 a night.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg presided over the official ribbon cutting, saying travelers want to know when they visit a city that sustainability is important to the city and to the hotel where they are staying. I couldn’t agree more.
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