If you’re wondering what the historic Essex House in New York City is like, you’re in luck because today, I’m reviewing it for everyone to see.

I should mention that the Essex House is part JW Marriott Hotel, part long term rentals, and part condos. In other words, if you want to purchase a unit in this building, you can. However, for this review, I will be reviewing the JW Marriott Hotel portion of the building.

The Check-in Process

If you read my blog regularly, you probably know that every so often, I write my reviews several weeks after I was actually there. In other words, it’s about time I get this review out! 

What I’m trying to say is that as of writing this Essex House review, NYC has become very strict when it comes to covid regulations. However, things change day by day. So, always check the current procedures for traveling to any city.

Getting Back to My Check-in Process

I wasn’t here for any holiday. It was just a regular New York City week when I arrived. 

There are many great things about New York City. Nevertheless, my partner is a New York City native, which includes a New York City attitude. So if anything goes awry, I can always count on his New York temperament to get the job done.

Today, we were the only people in line. It appears covid has really slowed everything down. It also seems that it’s the hotel concierge’s first day on the job since her manager walked her through each step of the way.

New York City is full of people who want everything NOW! Patience is not a virtue. You’re an idiot if you can’t figure things out in two seconds max!

The concierge fumbles as we check-in, but she eventually tells us our room isn’t ready and to expect a call from her in a few hours so we can check-in.

So we leave our bags, venture to the nearby shopping center, and scout out a good place for dinner.

A couple of hours later, we get a call from the hotel, but then we get placed on hold. We believe they’re calling to let us know the room is ready. So we start walking while still on hold with the front desk.

When we arrive, it appears the concierge was not busy—just fumbling some more. As we arrived, it was clear that she wasn’t ready to take on New Yorkers and their attitude. She looked flustered, frustrated, and was literally running around the lobby trying to do things as fast as possible.

I should mention that New Yorkers are firm believers in standing their ground. They are firm, somewhat loud, and want everything done right away. However, to an outsider, this might sound rude. A New Yorker wouldn’t say it’s rude. It’s just a different way of life.

They check us in after a brief New York City standoff, and we proceed to our room.

The Lobby

The lobby of the Essex House is grand, with gigantic crystal chandeliers and marble floors. We saw housekeeping cleaning the elevator buttons, inside and out. Hand sanitizing stations are spread throughout the place. Masks are required inside all common areas. 

This also means that all amenities like gyms, restaurants, and lounges are closed for your protection. The spa is closed and even room service is unavailable right now.

Nevertheless, the Essex House feels safe in terms of covid.

The Room

Now, for the $1600 question. Why is this room $1600, and what do you get for it? We stayed in the Deluxe Family Room with one and a half bathrooms. It also has an incredible Central Park view.

This might upset a few of you, but currently, the mini-fridge is locked and unavailable due to covid regulations. 

The coffee pot? What coffee pot? We all know covid is spread through delicious coffee beans—no coffee pot for you.

Anyway, you immediately land inside the foyer. It’s cute and classic. I feel like Aubrey Hepburn has walked these halls and stayed in this room. The art on the wall is nice. However, I love the table under the artwork. I’m forgetful so having a steady place to leave a few things always keeps me in check.

There’s a half restroom immediately to the left. It has toiletries, tissue, soaps, etc. It doesn’t have a shower or tub, but it does have a toilet (it’s what makes it a half restroom.) 

This is the half restroom. I love the black and white tiles on the restroom floor.

Directly in front of the restroom, past the foyer, there is the living room. The comfortable couch is big enough for the family to spread across. The ottoman is a fun, ying-yang shape. Although the flat-screen TV is big, the view is spectacular. Who needs TV when you have a view like this?

In between the half restroom and the living room is the bedroom. This bedroom is huge. As you enter, there’s a chest with extra pillows and blankets to the left behind the bedroom door. You can also use it to place your luggage.

There’s a closet directly next to this chest. It has a full-length mirror, hotel sandals, a safe, and robes for you.

There’s a king-sized bed, which gives me plenty of space to spread out.

Each side has a bed-side table with USB outlets and plugs for all of your devices.

There’s a small bench at the foot of the bed, which is great. However, there’s also a small love seat in the room for staring out the window. There’s so much to see on the streets of NYC. You could spend hours staring out the window.

The dresser drawers are big enough for a small group, but I never use them. There’s another flat-screen TV in here too.

The master restroom has a shower and a tub. This restroom comes equipped with everything you need. You have the basics like shampoo and conditioner. Then, you have the extras like a vanity kit, bath salts, and a hairdryer.

Essentially, $1600 a day gives you a bigger apartment than most people can afford in New York City. It’s a huge room compared to the tiny spaces the residents live in, in a part of town that is very desirable. 

I thought it was a great, comfortable suite. However, my partner was not happy with the lack of a mini-fridge and coffee pot. I understand if you’re paying that much a night and you’re not allowed coffee? That’s almost like a slap in the face. 

However, we paid $0 per night, so I don’t feel like I have the right to complain.

How Did We Pay $0 Per Night at the Essex House?

Points! I’m not going to pretend I’m The Points Guy, but points are a huge value if you’re a frequent flyer and “serial tripper.”

JW Marriot also has a nifty program that allows you to use partial points and pay the rest with money. They are working with the covid times to help people, and that is a huge positive.

Let me break it down for you:

The Essex House is directly in front of Central Park, near Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan.

The room I stayed in goes for around $1600 per night. However, we paid with points. Prices are subject to fluctuate due to season and availability, so always check just in case, don’t just take my word for it.

— It’s a great room

— No coffee pot or mini-fridge access due to covid

— All amenities are unavailable due to covid

— King size bed, many USB and regular plugs to choose from

— One and a half restrooms with bath salts to bathe in

— Great living room

— The park view is incredible

Check out their website for more information.