Review: JW Marriott Essex House New York

I find that NYC hotels are often challenged by air-conditioning, especially older properties like the Essex House. I recognize these properties weren't necessarily built with AC in mind, but, since some get it right, I know it's possible to do.

Of course, nothing will top the misery that was a summer week I spent at the Park Lane a few years ago. I'd have rather been in a capsule hotel than that sauna.

So glad to see you finally reviewing Marriott hotels!

Ha, your room is about 10x the size of the one I got at the Essex House! Had a 5 night stay there about a year ago as Marriott Gold and although we did get a park view room it was tiny with a Queen sized bed.

The window clearly was far past its prime and we could hear everything in our room plus feel very cold air coming in while 5 feet from the window - the highs were in the 40's when I stayed. I rarely complain but called about the window and they came and very securely duct taped it up...

I used to love the Westin Times Square when they had a lounge and more suites. I then switched to the Waldorf for their great suites (e-upgrades were a great deal). Now I'm sticking to Andaz with Andaz 5th ave because to TSUs. I appreciate the Essex House review as I'm lifetime platinum in both Starwood and Marriott (and status matched to Hilton and re qualified for Hyatt glob) so I've been playing the field. However, Marriott suites are the toughest of all for stays longer than a night.

I envy those with big spg balances as that's my favorite chain and blow through those so quick.

Marriott is now upgrading to suites? That's a nice change.

I have yet to experience it, but as a lifetime Starwood Platinum, it was one of the features of the Starwood program I hoping we don't lose when the merger is finished [whenever that might be].

I'd be interested in knowing what they offer at night, including alcohol.

It's kind of disappointing that there doesn't appear to be an espresso machine in the lounge. J.W. Marriott is upscale enough that it should have one.

By the way, I'm glad they upgraded you to a "nice room." I sincerely hope they don't give give an upgrade to a "bad room."

The decor looks kind of weird. Sort of a combination between classic hotel decor and suburban office park hotel decor.

Were slippers and a robe provided?

The most shocking part of this review ....... do people really still consume Fruit Loops?

NYC's hotels generally are overpriced and underwhelming. That living room looks like from some airport motel room.

My favorite "Marriott" in New York — Ritz Carlton Central Park!!

I stayed there last year for one night as well in May and got the 10x smaller room like Liz but with no view and I been platinum for 7 years straight at that point. I asked for an upgrade and was denied, was also denied a late checkout. But the lounge and location to Central Park was fantastic for our only night in NYC.

@Jey I mean who goes to NYC to spend hours and hours in their room anyway? But I like the design and decor, looks very posh and antique

I was upgraded to a similar suite earlier this year. Very spacious but the furniture looked like it was purchased at a second-hand store.

The corridors and public areas look nice, but the room decor is pretty so so.
BTW, doesnt everyone have a shower in the morning before heading out for the day? 🙂

Ben,

Wow! You really rate when it comes to checking in at hotels. I don't have time to start a blog but it really seems to pay off for you.

We are Marriott Platinum Lifetimers and we had a very dissimilar experience at the Essex house. In fact we felt persecuted for using points, and it was such an issue and insulting by the front desk lady that we brought our complaint to the GM.

He apologised and agreed that the language and behaviour used was incorrect. He planned to provide additional training for all front desk staff regarding guests using points. He returned our points for the stay.

For the lounge, we expected a better quality in the items offered. You do take wonderful photos. Did you try those little muffins? Or the bagels?

We went to the Waldorf and had a much better stay there, but of course that has ended.

Great accurate review of one of my favorites.

I'm in New York often and the Essex House is my usual choice. I like the JW in general and find it to comparable to but not as expensive as Ritz Carlton. The club breakfast is a great plus. You have the same offering as the guests that pay around $40. I love to be able to cross the street for a walk in Cental Park. Many on the staff remember my name - a nice plus.

If it is a weekend I usually stay at the Andaz Wall Street. Downtown New York on a weekend can be a great deal. A nice hip hotel with a great restaurant breakfast for World of Hyatt elites. It's good to not have a car in New York but when I do it is a slight annoyance that there is no valet parking.

@Always Flyin - as others have commented, YMMV. I'm a Marriott Plat, and Marriott Marquis Times Square front desk tried to sell me an upgrade to a suite (April 2017) for $200 / night, or a "view room" at $100 / night. I escalated and the manager told me "we can't give all the nice rooms away, otherwise we won't make money." (Indeed, 1892 rooms and I'm sure they're flat broke.)

I called Marriott Rewards and had them shame the manager into giving us a complementary upgrade, since his upsell violated program terms. As apparent retribution, the hotel told Citibank that I only stayed 2 nights, so that I couldn't redeem the 4th night free benefit. Luckily, I save my receipts.

But the general rule at Marriotts is: you need to ask. I get about 60% of my upgrades to suites after asking, but very few of them will proactively upgrade you request it.

I think in general, Marriotts in the US are not proactive in providing upgrade, much less to a suite. I got much more luck with suite upgrades here in Canada. As a data point I recently stayed in Marriott Brooklyn and had to plead for it. I asked for a suite upgrade and they offered to sell it for $150 extra per night. It didn't make sense so I came back a few times until they finally agreed to give it to me for the last 2 nights of my stay.

That suite looks sad, too much beige and cremes. It probably wouldn't be so bad if their furniture and decor choices were good, but that seems to be not the case. It looks like an airport hotel room like someone else mentioned here.

Any bell boy help you with the luggage when you arrived in the entrance?