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Essence Hotel, New York City
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Key details
About the Hotel
611 Degraw Street,
New York City,
New York,
United States of America,
11217,
New York State
Essence Hotel is located in the vibrant Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, characterized by its mix of classic rowhouses and converted warehouses. This boutique hotel celebrates New York City's industrial heritage through its 19th-century architecture and modern interiors designed by Jordan Carlyle. It offers guests an authentic neighborhood experience that's both sophisticated and welcoming. Proximity to popular attractions and nightlife highlights its significance in the dynamic culture of Brooklyn.
Location
Essence Hotel is conveniently located two blocks from Union Street Subway Station, providing easy access to Manhattan in just ten minutes. The Gowanus neighborhood is home to an array of attractions including Barclays Center and diverse shopping areas. Its central location ensures that guests can easily explore the best of Brooklyn, while still being a quick ride away from iconic NYC landmarks. The surrounding area is rich with culture and nightlife, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Rooms
Essence Hotel features 48 individually decorated guestrooms that combine minimalist design with creature comforts for a relaxing stay. Each room is equipped with premium bedding, flat-screen televisions, and iPod docking stations for convenience. Guests enjoy complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, and designer toiletries in stylish bathrooms. Large windows in each room allow for ample natural light, enhancing the overall stay experience.
Eat & Drink
While the hotel does not have on-site dining, it is steps away from some of Brooklyn's best restaurants and nightlife, particularly in the nearby Park Slope neighborhood. Guests can explore vibrant local dining offerings, including a variety of cuisines and craft beer establishments. The area is known for its dynamic food scene, which enhances the overall experience of staying in Brooklyn. A free manager's reception is provided for guests, offering an opportunity to socialize and experience more local flavors.
Leisure & Business
Business travelers will find the hotel well-equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, a business center, and laundry services. The property also features areas designed for leisure, including a terrace where guests can unwind. The hotel's attentive staff ensures a personalized experience, catering to the needs of both leisure and business guests. The comfortable and cozy environment makes it an ideal spot for relaxation after a day of meetings or exploration.
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The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Exceptional Assistance
“The front desk was incredibly helpful, assisting me with booking transportation to the airport efficiently.” view full review
Accessible Comfort
“The locker room available offered a great space for guests to freshen up, making the stay more convenient.” view full review
Spotless Room
“My room was impeccably clean, and the high-quality toiletries made for a refreshing experience.” view full review
Convenient Pantry
“Having a coffee maker and microwave in the pantry was a game-changer, allowing me to enjoy a cozy breakfast.” view full review
General
No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Elevator
Coffee shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Services
Housekeeping
Car rental
Room features
Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Soundproofed rooms
Terrace
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
Parquet floor
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Location
611 Degraw Street,
New York City,
New York,
United States of America,
11217,
New York State
Map view
street view
611 Degraw Street,
New York City,
New York,
United States of America,
11217,
New York State
City landmarks
Bridges
Brooklyn Bridge
2.0
mi
Museums
World Trade Center Memorial Foundation
2.7
mi
Stadiums
Barclays Center
3200 ft
Square
Grand Army Plaza
4400 ft
Museums
New York Transit Museum
1.2
mi
Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1.3
mi
Museums
Brooklyn Museum
1.3
mi
Museums
Old Stone House
2300 ft
Parks
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
1.5
mi
Church
Brooklyn Tabernacle
1.2
mi
Gallery
The Invisible Dog Art Center
3700 ft
Monuments and Landmarks
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch
4300 ft
Liberty Island
Statue of Liberty
3.3
mi
Parks
Columbus Park
1.1
mi
Parks
Carroll Park
4200 ft
Smith Streetjh
Smith Street
3300 ft
Parks
Fort Greene Park
1.2
mi
121 Wooster St
Bowery
2.9
mi
Parks
Battery Park
2.4
mi
Museums
9/11 Memorial
2.7
mi
Atlantic Ave. and Court St.
Atlantic Avenue Tunnel
4600 ft
Brooklyn
Park Slope
1.1
mi
Court Street and Kane Street
Cobble Hill
4900 ft
Museums
Old Stone House of Brooklyn
2300 ft
Events
Grand Prospect Hall
1.3
mi
Shopping Area
Atlantic Center Mall
2500 ft
Public Building
Brooklyn Borough Hall
1.4
mi
Brooklyn
Fort Greene
1.2
mi
Amusement Park
Underwood Park
1.3
mi
Nearby
575 Degraw Street
Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus
400 ft
Restaurants
Burgrito's
400 ft
173 4th Ave 4th Avenue
Brownstone Bagel & Bread Co
1000 ft
671 Union St
Wangs
1000 ft
671 Union St
Oaxaca Taqueria
1200 ft
250 4th Ave
Konditori
1400 ft
186 5th Ave
Mee Thai Brooklyn
1300 ft
180 5th Ave
Ample Hills
1600 ft
305 Nevins St
My Cuban Spot
1500 ft
488 Carroll St
Pizza Cotta Bene
1600 ft
291 3rd Ave
Gorilla coffee
2000 ft
472 Bergen St
Pizzatown
2100 ft
85 5th Ave
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
58%
liked the hotel and would stay again
Convenient Location
Welcoming Service
Small Rooms
Inconsistent Room Cleanliness
5.8/10
Guest rating
Rooms
5.7
Location
7.2
Service
5.5
Dining
5.7
Guest reviews
5.8/10
based on 15 reviews
6.4
6.4/10 based on 74 reviews
Henry
United Kingdom,
June
2024
5.0/10
The hotel room was much smaller than I expected for the price I paid, and there were some cleanliness issues and maintenance problems. The service was quite unfriendly and unhelpful at times. On a positive note, the hotel's location was excellent with great access to local amenities.
Rooms
5.0
The room was more like an 8x8 cell, very small, and not cleaned daily.
Service
5.0
The service was pretty unfriendly and unhelpful.
Location
8.0
The location was excellent with great access to local amenities.
Dining
5.0
Dining options were minimal with little choice.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities were lacking in maintenance and cleanliness.
Lee
United Kingdom,
June
2024
6.8/10
The hotel's rooms are small but a perfect size for a one night stay, although they were not cleaned daily, and I had to request towels and refill supplies. The room size seemed a bit too small for the price they are asking.
Rooms
6.0
The rooms are small but a perfect size for a one night stay. They were not cleaned daily, and I had to request towels and refill supplies. The rooms are simply too small for the price they are asking.
Service
7.0
The service was where I needed it to be and welcoming. However, I encountered some difficulty as the staff could not speak English and did not understand how the TV remote worked, so I had to move to a room with a functioning TV.
Location
8.0
The hotel's location is good in an up-and-coming neighborhood with good restaurants and shops nearby. The proximity to the subway is excellent and makes it convenient for exploring the area.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were at a basic deli nearby, which was convenient for a quick meal. However, it was also inconvenient having to walk to a diner down the block for other food choices.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities around the hotel were basic but functional for a short stay.
Convenient Location
Small Rooms
Richard
United Kingdom,
May
2024
7.0/10
The hotel rooms were small but fairly comfortable, with a pleasant backyard view. The service was accommodating and the access to the basement meeting room was helpful. The location was good for subway access and near cool bars, but breakfast required a longer walk. The offsite dining offered coffee, juice, and pastries. Overall, a decent stay with some room for improvement.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms, though small, were fairly comfortable and had a nice backyard view.
Service
8.0
The service was nice and accommodating, especially with the offer to use the basement meeting room.
Location
7.0
The hotel's location is convenient for subway access and exploring cool bars, but breakfast required a longer walk.
Dining
6.0
The offsite dining options provided basic breakfast offerings like coffee, juice, and pastries.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel facilities were sufficient for a comfortable stay.
Convenient location
Limited dining options
David
United States of America,
May
2024
5.2/10
The hotel had quite a bit of noise from a hipster beer garden across the road and was way too small with no wardrobe, yet it smelled nice upon entering. Despite the pleasant smell, my experience here was a big no-no; I would absolutely do not stay here under any circumstances.
Rooms
5.0
The room was small and lacked a wardrobe, but it did have a nice smell upon entering.
Service
5.0
The service was a little disconnected and not very attentive. Although they were helpful and nice, they struggled to fix issues and lacked knowledge of the area.
Location
6.0
The hotel is under major renovation and construction, making parking even more limited. However, it is located in an 'up and coming' neighborhood close to the subway, with good restaurants and shops.
Dining
5.0
I had to walk to a neighboring bakery for breakfast as the options were limited. The diner around the corner was a better choice, despite being in the cold.
Facilities
6.0
The facilities were okay, but nothing exceptional.
James
United Kingdom,
November
2023
5.8/10
The room I stayed in was a bit small, and I had to put down a $50 deposit. I also encountered a water bug in my room, and the shower didn't drain properly. Despite these issues, the hotel always kept things tidy. The size of the room was decent but smaller than expected for the price paid.
Rooms
6.0
The room was small and had some maintenance issues, but overall, it was tidy.
Service
5.0
The staff was a bit unfriendly and unhelpful at times.
Location
8.0
The location was convenient, close to the Union St station and had good access to transportation.
Dining
5.0
The dining options were minimal, with limited choices available.
Facilities
6.0
The commercial services were basic, and there was a nearby laundry facility.
John
United Kingdom,
November
2023
7.8/10
The hotel rooms were small but very clean, and my stay was just on top of it. The staff was helpful in refunding charges and very kind and friendly. The location was good for subway access and convenient to get to 5th Ave in Park Slope, as well as the local nightlife. The dining experience offered coffee, juice, & croissant or tea bread, and the facilities were satisfactory.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were small but very clean.
Service
9.0
The staff was helpful and very kind and friendly.
Location
8.0
The hotel location was good for subway access and convenient to get to 5th Ave in Park Slope, as well as the local nightlife.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience offered coffee, juice, & croissant or tea bread.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were satisfactory.
Thomas
United States of America,
October
2023
6.4/10
My stay at the hotel was a mix of positives and negatives. The location was great for exploring New York and Brooklyn with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. However, the ongoing renovation and construction made parking difficult. The rooms were decent, but cleanliness could be improved. The service was mostly courteous, but not overly helpful. Dining options were limited to nearby cafes, and I had to go elsewhere for more food. The hotel offers adequate value for the price paid.
Rooms
6.0
The rooms were okay, but cleanliness was lacking with ants under the desk and hair in the shower.
Service
7.0
The service was satisfactory, with staff being mostly courteous but not exceptionally helpful.
Location
7.0
The hotel is in an upcoming area, which is good for exploring, but the ongoing construction and limited parking were inconvenient.
Dining
5.0
Dining options were limited to nearby cafes, and I had to find other places for more food.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were adequate, but nothing outstanding.
Stanley
United Kingdom,
October
2023
5.0/10
The hotel room was small and cramped, making it difficult to move around. There was a water bug in the room and issues with the TV. The service was not particularly helpful, with long waits for basic amenities. The location was convenient for accessing subway lines but had some negative aspects like a cigarette smoke smell. The dining experience was mediocre, being located offsite and offering limited options. Overall, the hotel facilities were lacking in some areas.
Rooms
5.0
The room was too small and hard to move around in. Issues with cleanliness and TV.
Service
5.0
The service was lacking, with long waits and unhelpful staff.
Location
6.0
The location was convenient for accessing subway lines but had some negative aspects like a cigarette smoke smell.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was mediocre, offering only limited options and located offsite.
Facilities
5.0
The hotel facilities were lacking in some areas.
Rudy
United States of America,
October
2023
5.8/10
My stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The rooms were so small and cramped that there wasn't enough space to place my bag, and they also smelled bad. On the bright side, the location was great, close to the Subway and within walking distance from Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum, and various vibrant neighborhoods. The service was mixed as some staff members were friendly and helpful, while others struggled with language barriers. The dining options were limited but there were nearby restaurants within walking distance. Although the facilities needed some maintenance, the price was reasonable for the value offered.
Rooms
5.0
The rooms were tiny, cramped, and had a bad odor.
Service
6.0
The service was mixed; some staff were friendly and helpful, while others had communication issues.
Location
8.0
The location was great, close to the Subway and attractions like Prospect Park and Brooklyn Museum.
Dining
6.0
Limited dining options on-site, but restaurants were available within walking distance.
Facilities
5.0
Facilities were in need of maintenance.
Great location
Small rooms
Walter
United Kingdom,
September
2023
6.2/10
I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The rooms were aesthetically pleasant but lacked certain essentials, making it a challenging stay. The service had its highs and lows, showcasing kindness but also a lack of consideration for guests with limited English proficiency. The location was convenient for exploring the vibrant neighborhood, but some drawbacks were noticeable. The dining options were limited and lacked variety, although the facilities offered decent amenities.
Rooms
5.0
The room I stayed in was aesthetically pleasant but lacked certain essentials for a comfortable stay.
Service
7.0
The staff displayed kindness and friendliness, but there were instances of a lack of consideration for guests with limited English proficiency.
Location
6.0
The location provided a neighborhood feel with easy access to nearby attractions, despite some inconveniences like having to walk extra blocks for breakfast.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were limited and lacked variety, although the nearby restaurant offered some basics.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were satisfactory, but not outstanding.
Naomi
United Kingdom,
September
2023
5.0/10
The hotel was clean and comfortable, with a convenient location near restaurants and subways. However, the service was disappointing, with delays in room availability and unhelpful staff. The dining options were limited, and the facilities were lacking.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were clean and comfortable but the air conditioning was loud and inconsistent, affecting sleep quality.
Service
5.0
The service was poor, with delays in room readiness and unaccommodating staff.
Location
5.0
The location had good proximity to restaurants and subways, but there were issues with incorrect charges on credit cards.
Dining
5.0
Limited dining options nearby, with only a cafe a few blocks away offering heavy baked goods.
Facilities
5.0
Basic facilities, with no notable amenities or services provided.
Edmund
United Kingdom,
August
2023
6.0/10
The hotel rooms were very comfy as depicted in the pictures, but be cautious of sharp bed posts. The service was a mixed bag with unfriendly encounters but some super friendly staff. The location, despite ongoing renovations and limited parking, was ideal for our needs in Park Slope. Dining options nearby were convenient, but in-house dining could be improved. Overall, a decent stay with room for improvement.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms had everything you need and were very comfy as pictures of the hotel describe it.
Service
5.0
The service was a mix of unfriendly encounters and super friendly staff.
Location
7.0
The hotel's location was ideal for our needs in Park Slope despite ongoing renovations and limited parking.
Dining
6.0
Dining options nearby were convenient, but in-house dining could be improved.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities should not be open for the public and need improvement.
Frederick
United States of America,
August
2023
6.4/10
The hotel is conveniently located near the Union Street metro station and JFK, making it easy to reach and close to Park Slope. While the rooms are quite small, which is typical for New York, the hotel is situated in an 'up and coming' neighborhood with good dining and shopping options. However, the service was disappointing, with delays in room readiness and cleanliness issues. The dining options were basic, but the location was ideal for exploring the area.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms are tiny, as expected for New York, and were aware of this at the time of booking.
Service
5.0
The service was lacking, with delays in room availability and cleanliness concerns.
Location
8.0
The location is good, close to the subway and in an 'up and coming' neighborhood with interesting amenities.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were very basic, but I found the breakfast at the Station Cafe to be pretty good.
Facilities
8.0
The hotel is adjacent to Park Slope and offers convenient access to the Union Street metro station and JFK.
Allen
United States of America,
June
2023
7.6/10
The hotel's location is really nice, close to restaurants and subway lines. The rooms were plain and outdated, lacking a reading lamp and luggage space. The service was cordial and helpful, with smiling faces. Dining options were available nearby, and the overall stay was nicely decorated and smelled lovely.
Rooms
6.0
The rooms felt very plain and outdated, missing a reading lamp and a place to put luggage.
Service
8.0
The service was very cordial and the staff always came off friendly.
Location
9.0
The location was convenient, close to restaurants and subway lines, making it easy to explore the area.
Dining
7.0
Dining options were available nearby at places like the Station Cafe and Runner and Block Cafe.
Facilities
8.0
The hotel had good shops and commercial services to cater to guests' needs.
Stephen
United Kingdom,
June
2023
5.0/10
The hotel is located in a convenient spot with good restaurant options nearby. The rooms were uncomfortable, small, and lacking basic amenities like a fridge, making it inconvenient for guests with specific needs. The service was friendly, but there were issues with getting clean towels and room readiness. The location is convenient for attending events at the Barkley Center but lacks certain essential services. The dining experience was average and offsite, requiring a short walk. The facilities were lacking, which affected the overall stay.
Rooms
5.0
The rooms were cramped and uncomfortable, lacking essential amenities like a fridge.
Service
5.0
The service was friendly but lacked promptness and attentiveness.
Location
7.0
The location was convenient for attending events at the Barkley Center.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were average and required a short walk offsite.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities were lacking, making the overall experience subpar.