JW Marriott Essex House
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"Best location, mediocre rooms, dated bathrooms, tasteless decor. Terrible housekeeping.Gloomy, stuffy corridors."
We had visited Essex House back in 2008 when it was a Jumeirah property and were excited to return in April 2025. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations. The hotel feels dated and uncomfortable, with a small and unwelcoming reception area. Leadership seems inconsistent—while some staff (doormen, bell staff, security, bartenders, and an exceptional Head Concierge) were warm, professional, and efficient, the front desk service ranged from average to incompetent. Our first room was extremely small with a window that felt more like a porthole, offering nothing close to the view we had paid for. When we requested a move, we were thankfully assisted by a different front desk attendant who was far more helpful and professional. Room cleaning was mediocre and superficial, the carpet didn’t feel properly clean, and the corridors were stuffy and sometimes unpleasantly smelly. Breakfast service was also uneven—the hostesses were slow and not particularly welcoming, though the restaurant servers themselves were excellent. For the price we paid, there are far better options in New York City. Sadly, we don’t plan on returning.
"Great location and service!"
We stayed three nights at The Essex House. The location is excellent, and the level of service from the staff is truly top-notch. The rooms are a bit basic and the beds rather firm, which is why I can’t quite give it five stars. That said, I want to highlight the club lounge in particular. Each morning we were greeted by a gentleman named Nolden, and I genuinely looked forward to seeing him. He took the time to chat with us and was always prompt and attentive in meeting our needs. His hospitality made our stay even more memorable.
"Disappointed!"
I expected much more from my stay here, especially given the steep nightly rate. I didn’t mind paying for the location and what I thought would be a premium experience, but the hotel fell short in several areas. Check-in was poorly staffed, resulting in a 30-minute wait, and when we finally reached the desk we were told our room wasn’t ready. There was also no one available to check our bags, and it took another 15 minutes before someone assisted—only after I flagged them down. The room itself was lovely, but attention to detail is lacking. Light fixtures were dusty and grimy, which really took away from the overall feel. The Executive Lounge was a highlight when open, but unfortunately it was closed more often than not, which left us disappointed. Overall, this stay didn’t live up to the price tag. Save your money or look elsewhere in the city—you can definitely do better.
"Essex House: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"
There are many good things about the Essex House. Some of the staff are fantastic, and certain rooms are truly outstanding. Unfortunately, other aspects fall far below expectations. The restaurant/bar remodel is especially disappointing. The old Lobby Bar, where you could once relax and watch the US Open on a large screen, has been replaced with a dark, cramped space with only a small TV in the corner. The biggest letdown was the executive lounge. Hours are very limited, the food selection is shockingly poor (not even crackers to go with the cheese), and drinks are charged. As a Titanium member, I can honestly say this is the worst Marriott lounge I’ve experienced. We booked a suite in September and arrived early, requesting an upgrade to a park view. The front desk staff were wonderful and tried hard to help, but when they involved a young woman from “room control,” she was dismissive and unprofessional. A little warmth and a friendly explanation would have gone a long way. On the positive side, the front desk team, concierge, and bell staff (especially “King”) were excellent and showed what true hospitality looks like. In summary, while there are bright spots thanks to a few dedicated employees, the Essex House needs serious improvements in customer service training and guest experience. Don’t expect much from the executive lounge, and be prepared for inconsistency.
"great hotel, lousy room location… staring at a brick wall"
This has been our go-to hotel in Manhattan—we’ve stayed a dozen times and hold Titanium status with Marriott. The staff is great, and the location is excellent. However, this stay was disappointing. Our room looked out onto an interior “canyon” with a brick wall directly across from the windows. We couldn’t even see the sky to know if it was cloudy. To make matters worse, the hotel would not move us. Easily the worst room location I’ve experienced in decades.
"Hotel with tradition but not my next option in NY"
The hotel has a lot of tradition and charm, but also some shortcomings. I tried ordering room service one day and called several times with no answer. The breakfast menu felt quite limited, and internet is charged at a very high price (thankfully waived for members). On the positive side, the location is excellent, cleanliness was very good, and overall service from staff was strong.
"Everything you would expect and more"
I traveled just before Christmas to experience the city during its festive season, and this hotel was the perfect choice. The property is beautiful and in a prime location right on Central Park. As it’s an older building, the rooms and lobby aren’t massive, but they are well-appointed and thoughtfully laid out. The staff truly stood out—everyone from the front desk to the doormen, concierge, and restaurant/lounge team was exceptional. The executive lounge was also a lovely oasis away from the busy hotel. Even when I went through an unexpected difficult moment during my trip, the staff extended themselves with the utmost care and attentiveness. Their warmth made a world of difference.
"Great Labor Day weekend stay at Essex House"
Had a fantastic stay at the Essex House over Labor Day weekend. The highlights were enjoying drinks outside at the new Bourbon Steak with a beautiful view of the park, and the excellent service we received throughout our stay. A special thanks to Melvin, who truly went above and beyond—he recognized my birthday more than once and was both friendly and attentive in the executive lounge. His thoughtful service made our visit extra memorable.
"Fantastic upgrade to a large suite, excellent Executive Lounge but rooms & bathrooms need an overhaul."
After months of research to celebrate our 30th anniversary in NYC, my husband and I narrowed our hotel choices to The St. Regis, The Luxury Collection Manhattan, The Langham, and Essex House. The first three offered larger, more modern, and more luxurious rooms—but in the end, a few key factors tipped the balance in favor of Essex House. From the very beginning, communication with the reservations team was outstanding. Ms. Olivia Ribbe ensured our needs were addressed as far back as six months before our stay, and she followed through right to the end. Unlike other hotels where requests often get lost between central reservations and the front desk, here everything was seamless. Thanks to her, we were upgraded from an entry-level room to the Manhattan Suite—when I saw that on the Marriott app, I canceled the other three bookings without hesitation. Another highlight was the Executive Lounge, which I had read was among the best in the country. Coming from Asia, where hotel lounges are often exceptional, my expectations were tempered—but Essex House delivered. The newly renovated lounge offered a generous breakfast spread, an inviting atmosphere for downtime during the day, and an impressive evening service with desserts to close out the night. That said, if we had not received the upgrade, I’m not sure we would have chosen Essex House. Some rooms are dated, small, and lack basic amenities like coffee machines (though one can be provided on request). Bathrooms, even in our suite, felt underwhelming—ours had just a single sink and could have used an update. And the windows, as other reviews have noted, really do need a deep cleaning. Housekeeping was excellent—efficient and consistent in replenishing supplies. Interactions with staff were mostly positive, though slightly inconsistent at times. Some agents were warm and helpful, while others seemed unsure or disconnected, especially around what was included with destination fee credits. In the end, our experience felt well worth it because we secured a very good rate and were generously upgraded. Essex House has charm, a stellar location, and a strong lounge, but its dated rooms and bathrooms mean I wouldn’t always choose it at higher price points. Still, for our anniversary trip, it was a memorable and worthwhile stay.
"Great location"
I recently stayed at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York and had a truly wonderful experience. The hotel beautifully combines elegance with comfort, offering stylishly designed rooms and excellent amenities. The staff were warm, professional, and attentive, which made my stay even more enjoyable. Its prime location right by Central Park is ideal for exploring the city. I couldn’t be happier with my stay and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting New York.
JW Marriott Essex House
Overlooking Central Park South, this Art Deco landmark offers grandeur, large iconic red-neon signage, and sweeping views of the park. Its prime location makes it ideal for those wanting to be close to museums, upscale shopping, and serene park walks.
Address
160 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, United States
Telephone
+12122470300