Best Intercontinental or Crowne Plaza hotels in the northeast
 

Well, I finally got something useful out of all of the hotel promotions going on this summer--2 free nights at almost any Intercontinental or Crowne Plaza hotel . I could also use it for a Holiday Inn or Indigo hotel, but I want the most bang for the buck.
The 2 nights do not have to be consecutive or at the same location. The deal is good until December, and as far as I can tell, only hotels in Japan are specifically excluded.

Any suggestions for an Intercontinental (which are usually all pretty nice) or a particularly good Crowne Plaza (which I find uneven) somewhere within driving distance of NYC for a weekend?. Not interested in the hotel in NYC itself, and I hadn't thought of flying, but if you know a really nice location that I could combine with some frequent flyer miles, I'd consider it.

Well there are numerous hotels in each chain - so I would look at what city (they're almost all in cities) you're most interested in. The obvious are Boston and DC for just a weekend, but without knowing how often you've been where and your interests it's hard to advise.

Boston Intercontinental waterfront is newish and great bang for the buck. I adore their backyard with gas fed lanterns. Place has a great vibe. The doormen wore Red Sox uniforms during the playoffs, so they have a certain sense of humour, with great service. And you're across from the Rose Kennedy Greenway, close to tourist attractions and the Northend for Italian. I would consider it one of the top 5 in Boston.

Yes, I did look through the lists, but there really aren't many Intercontinentals in the Northeast. Boston and DC are certainly possibilities. I hope the hotels there live up to others in the chain.
Crowne Plaza seems to be in less obviously desirable locations. Not in major cities nor resort areas. Still, sometimes a location or 2 in a chain stands out because of location or even just the hotel facility itself

What I'm looking for here is just a way to spend a free or nearly free weekend somewhere other than at home :)

Thanks also, gyppielou. You must have posted while I was posting. That kind of detail is helpful

I prefer the waterfront Boston for spring/summer/fall. You can walk the harbour from IC to the Northend via a harbour walkway. In the winter, with the cold and the ice and the wind and the lack of big boats to covet, I would stay elsewhere. If you are planning the getaway in the next few months then do consider Boston

Ditto gyppielou's suggestion of the Boston's IC. It is quite new, opened last year I believe.

I don't recommend anyone visiting Boston in the winter, no matter where they stay.

Sounds like Boston would be a good choice. I would probably go late September or October.
Topping anyway for daytime Fodorites to comment, too.