Essex House Hotel

I loved this hotel. I just got back from a New York stay at two different hotels. I have stayed at many hotels in New York and I feel that this was a really great one. The staff was friendly and went above and beyond from start to finish. Arrived at 10:00 a.m. and had no problem checking in right away, as opposed to the Paramount, where I spent the second week. Was greeted by Bob, the doorman. He told me his name and if I needed anything at all during my stay to let him know. The room was great. Yes, I had a view of another building, but that wasn't what I came to the city for. I was out most of the time. The room was spacious, especially for New York. Very clean. Well maintained. The heavenly bed was indeed heavenly. In fact, it was so comfortable, that I found myself having a hard time getting up the first two days that I was there. I had been working mega-hours before my trip to NY, so the heavenly bed sucked me in. The bathroom was large and the shower was excellent. The location at the park was superb. I was close enough to Times Square to easily get there, but far enough away to not have to walk in wall to wall people all of the time. Very convenient to the subway at Columbus circle, buses, etc. Very near Fifth Ave, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Times Square, etc. The lobby was beautiful and the staff was first rate. I paid 149-169 per night on Priceline. What a steal. I ended up arriving a day earlier than when I had originally booked priceline and had to add a room on my own. I had to pay 269.00. I love Priceline! Without it, I probably would not have ever stayed at this hotel.

Just back from 4 nights at the Essex Park, where myself, my husband and both our sets of parents stayed to celebrate a number of special occasions. Where to start... All staff were incredibly helpful, polite, thoughtful and efficient. Our check in clerk upgraded my husband and I to a park-view room as soon as my husband cheekily mentioned that it was our wedding anniversary. The bell man came across the road to greet us, carry our bags and to argue with our limo driver (who had dropped us off across 4 lanes of traffic away from the hotel!). Our room was gorgeous - the view was only an added bonus. The room was plenty big enough, the bed - can't describe how comfortable - shower was great, it was clean and really comfortable. The two sets of parents didn't get park-views, but GIANT rooms, with equally GIANT king beds (the queen we had seemed to be the same as a king here, the king bed was the same as two double beds pushed together!) and also incredibly comfortable (you definitely need a good nights sleep after all the walking we did!). We ate breakfast in the hotel on the first morning for a treat, and although rather pricey, was delicious and worth every penny (there's a great place around the corner - the Parisienne - which does a more reasonable and 'real NY' breakfast). We ordered hot drinks from room service that were so fast and so hot, delivered with flowers and a flourish - the waiter was incredibly polite, insisting on tidying up our (very messy!) console table in order that he could safely place the hot drinks down. Reception were more than happy to change my mum's trillions of travellers cheques (don't know if you've been before, but New York is NOT the place to take travellers cheques - stores seem to hate them) at all hours of the day and night and the staff were always cheerful and always told us what the weather was planning to do. We got this hotel for a bargain through Priceline and as far as we were concerned, the hotel was robbed! After reading the reviews on here before we went, I was really worried (this trip had all been arranged by me!), but I really think that Americans must be a little more picky than the British - this hotel is just great to stay in, right on the park, right near the subway and near great shops on 5th Avenue etc... We were not once disrupted by cleaners (or lack of cleaning) and no one was rude to us. I did witness one lady yelling at many different hotel staff, and can only conclude that you get what you give - we were very polite and the staff treated us with equal respect. Perhaps if you go around giving out bad vibes, bad things happen to you! Definitely would recommend this hotel and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

My partner and I decided to stay at this "top" hotel from April 7th through to the 11th, as it was my birthday on the 8th April. The first evening we got there, I noticed that our toilet was starting to fill up and I thought it would overflow and spill out all over the bathroom floor. I reported this at reception at 5pm and we assumed it would be fixed, while we were out for the evening. We returned at 11pm and no one had been all that time! I went down to reception and complained and they apologised but confirmed that no one had been in. They said it must have been a "break down in communications". We then had to move rooms at 11.45pm that evening (so repack our bags and cases) and were given two breakfast vouchers by way of compensation. The rest of the holiday seemed fine, but as soon as I got back to London I was told that my brother had organised 35 pounds worth of flowers, to be sent to me at the hotel for the morning of my birthday (April 8th). They NEVER ARRIVED. The receptionist confirmed that I was a guest there, when the driver dropped the flowers off and assured him they would be delivered. WHERE DID THEY GO? I have also found out that two friends called me from London on my birthday - I didnt get any messages, and remember checking my voicemail twice that day (as you would on your birthday!) I have contacted the hotel - who are looking into it all. That was last week and STILL no reply or call from them - 5 working days later. DO NOT STAY at this hotel -- its the worsty 5 star hotel I have stayed in and they ruined my birthday weekend.

I took my 8-year-old son on a father-son bonding trip to New York last week. I struggled with where to stay; I like to avoid midtown, but felt like for his first trip we should stay in a more touristy area. I finally settled on the Essex House and am glad I did! I had used Starwood points to get a really great rate, but that meant we were destined for a brick wall view. I asked if there was any way we could swing a park view, and the desk clerk cheerfully upgraded us to a spacious (at least by NYC standards) room facing Central Park. The location was great; we walked nearly everywhere, and my son loved going to the park every day to play and climb rocks. The staff was incredibly gracious, the food was excellent and they really went all out for room service, with fresh flowers on linens on the table that was left in the room (even when all I had ordered was a bowl of soup!) Everyone treated my son like royalty, which I really appreciated. As usual, the "Heavenly" bed and shower were great. The concierge was helpful and friendly. And I was able to secure a 3:00 p.m. checkout time, which with our plans for our final day really helped us. Top to bottom, just a stellar experience.

I planned a first trip to the big city for my niece's 16th birthday. Our trip coincided with "The Gates" installation at Central Park. For this reason I booked a park-view room at the Essex House in September of 2004 at a price of $289 per night. Luckily I did book that early because as the buzz of the Christo work spread park-view rooms quickly became scarce. I was worried that perhaps we would be given an inferior room because I was not a frequent customer and had no Starwood points. I did sign up for the Starwood program before our trip. Our flight departed early in the morning and we got to the Essex House at 10am, thinking we would have to deposit our luggage and come back at check-in time. To my surprise we were escorted immediately to our room. Check-in was quick, efficient and extremely courteous and the view from our 10th floor room was perfect. We had a picture-perfect view of the Gates and all of Central Park. The bed was huge and inviting, triple sheeted, a down duvet and lots of pillows. The bathroom, although not extremely large was marble and had a great two-headed shower, a phone by the toilet and a lighted make-up mirror mounted by the sink. The only bad thing I could say was that there was no counter space in the bathroom. We requested something to be brought up to the room and when the waiter arrived he rang our DOORBELL. My niece was especially impressed with that. We had a delicious three course prix fixe lunch for $25 a person at the downstairs Cafe Botanica. It has windows facing Central Park South. Service here was impeccable as well. Our stay could not have been more perfect at the Westin Essex House. Highly recommended! If you wish to see photos of our trip: (---)

My family travels into New York City an average of 2 weekends per month. We normally stay at the Hilton or Westin Times Square, as these are the most reliable hotels in terms of customer service and accommodations. We received an email offer for $199 at the Westin Times Square and decided to take advantage of this great rate. There were no rooms available at the Westin, but the offer was extended to the Essex House Westin on Central Park South. Being a native New Yorker, I grew up thinking of the Essex House as a very elegant hotel where celebrities stay. The lobby is reminiscent of 1930’s grand style – classy and elegant. There was no wait at check in. When I booked the room, I explained that I needed one that was big enough for 3 people. I was told that the Deluxe Queen Park View room would be large enough to accommodate a roll away bed. Upon check in, I was told that was true- if we wanted to crawl over each other to get to the bathroom. The front desk clerk offered a king room with a partial park view (one small window that looks over the park – the other window looking directly into other hotel windows. I explained that we were celebrating my son’s birthday and we really wanted what we booked – a nice park view. I knew they had suites available (I had just checked with reservations out of curiosity) and I asked to be upgraded (I am, after all a Starwood Preferred Guest). The clerk said he could not upgrade us as all the suites were “spoken for”. The room is on the small size with a little area that held the desk and closets. The bathroom was very small. You had to shut the door completely to get to the toilet. As other reviews stated, the windows are very drafty and you need to keep the drapes closed or you will freeze. The temperature control in the room was quirky. It was too hot or too cold, never perfect. The carpets were stained, giving the room a dingy appearance. They offer satellite TV, which is nice because you get a few more kids channels than most hotels offering cable. The heavenly bed that the Westin is famous for is just that. The bed, pillows and comforters were magnificent. We all slept like babies. Our second day started with a very pricy ($61 for 2 adults and a child) but elegant buffet breakfast in the lobby restaurant. The eggs were a bit runny but other than that it was lovely. Housekeeping was another issue. They only made the bed. They did not refresh our towels, make up the rollaway or do any other maintenance in the room. We returned to the room at about 2:30 to see linens in the corner of the room, the rollaway stripped but not done up and no clean towels. A few minutes later, a housekeeper barged into the room without knocking. She backed out of the room embarrassed and never returned. I went to the front desk to complain and was assured that the problem would be fixed immediately. I also requested a refrigerator, which never arrived. We left and returned nearly an hour later and nothing had been done. It was time to get management involved. The manager was pleasant enough and said it was not the Essex House’s policy to have rooms half serviced, nor was it their policy for housekeeping to barge in without knocking. When I addressed the issue of the refrigerator, she told me to take everything out of the minibar and use that. I told her I was uncomfortable with that but she insisted that it was ok to do. I think it’s poor form to ask a guest to assume the responsibility of emptying the miniibar and making sure everything gets back in. She said she would send up a fridge if “I insisted”. Finally, housekeeping arrived (again entering the room without knocking) to bring towels. The manager offered to upgrade us next time we come into the city. If I were going to pay top dollar, I’d rather book a room at the Hilton’s Executive floor or the Westin Times Square. If you need to be on Central Park South, I’m sure there are better choices.

Spent four nights at the Essex House in February 2005. For the price I thought it was one of better values I have found in NYC. Room was fairly big by New York standards, clean and comfortable. I would certainly return.

My husband and I stayed here Feb 24-26, and picked the location to be close to "The Gates" in Central Park. As Starwood "gold" status, we were upgraded to a room on the 25th floor (2505) where there is "butler" service. While the "butler", who came to the room shortly after we arrived was very professional, she never appeared when we paged her a few hours later. We had a room with 2 queen beds, and a view facing NW, with a partial view over Central Park. The "heavenly" beds are indeed quite good, the linens very high-end, and the furniture and ambiance overall quite nice. The bathroom was huge, and gratis toiletries wonderful, as well as the large box of truffles provided upon arrival. Only problem was, as cited by other guests on tripadvisor, the drafts coming in from the windows. The very heavy (and lovely) draperies kept the drafts out when closed, but when opened it was somewhat cold in the room. At about $350 night, (no breakfast), we felt it was a fair price for the overall quality at a hotel in NYC. We had stayed at the Warwick the month before for $250/night, and the difference between the two hotels is much more than the price differential we experienced. This is definitely a "get what you pay for" place.. I suspect that you're not going to be happy getting with a $200 room here through hotels or expedia.

Just came back from NYC(02/06/05). Stayed 2 nights at essex house for about 245 per night for 10th floor deluxe room with park view. Outside of building looks very run down. Lobby is very plain. Check in was great, very friendly and fast. Got 2 'pink' coupons for breakfast at botanicas restaurant. 'pink coupons' lets you eat buffet plus menu items at no charge. Breakfast is fantastic. Room was spacious and nice view of the park but higher floor would have been nice. Marble bathroom was on the small side with no where to put your things but was very clean. Bed is nice but at the end of the day it's just a bed. Concierge at night was very nice and recommended ' la vineria ' italian restaurant just a couple of blocks away. It was great. Tried the same thing with the concierge during the day and she ------. Total attitude. Don't think will stay there again since you don't get what you paid for. There are Holiday Inns that are just as nice. Would like to try the W or the Westin Hotel in time square next time. Bye,

Checked in for two nights on January 14th and were given the room we had booked -- queen bed with Central Park view -- on the 5th floor. Sure, the room was small for what one would expect, but in NYC as it is in Europe, space is a premium. We heard some street noise, but were not bothered by the occasional horn honk or the clopping of horse hooves as the carriages strolled by. Isn't that part of the charm of staying off Central Park? The "Heavenly" bed was quite comfortable and the white linens crisp and luxurious. The "Heavenly" everything else -- from the towels to the toiletries were nothing special. Complaints: Front desk staff not so helpful at check-in. There were three people behind the desk and they all needed to help the one couple who had credit card problems -- rather then help the couple that were ready to go (and the only other people in line). The concierge ladies were not knowledgeable and seemed to only mention the same bistro to guest after guest seeking restaurant recommendations. Overall, we would stay at the Essex House again if we desired a room overlooking Central Park. We are torn between staying here or at the Algonquin (where we stayed in September 2004). The dilemma: Do we prefer a fancy room (Essex House) or superior service (Algonquin)?