JW Marriott Essex House New York

The classic New York luxury of the JW Marriott Essex House evokes a more glamorous time, when men wore hats and women wore gloves. The 528-room property has gone through a number of top-to-bottom redos since 2007 that have modernized the hotel but also played up its Art Deco history. The lobby, with its magnificently elaborate floral arrangements and marble columns, is grand, but still has some cozy nooks to lounge. There, you're likely to see a mix of business travelers and vacationing families. The Essex House is also one of New York's go-to luxury hotels for notable names. Sheryl Crow has been photographed walking out of the golden doors, and Angelina Jolie is rumored to own a penthouse here.

Thanks to the nearby Lincoln Center, many celebs make appearance in or around the hotel. In the Southgate bar we saw former slugger Reggie Jackson and Mike Shanahan, former coach of the NFL's Denver Broncos. Mitt Romney ran by on the street outside. And on the third floor, celebrity political pollster Mark Penn was waiting by the elevator during our visit. Tourists also flock here during Thanksgiving, as several rooms have fantastic views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Essex House is more expensive than the less iconic, less well-located Benjamin, but it offers a similar level of luxury and also features an in-house spa. The more expensive Trump International Hotel and Tower New York is right down the street; guests there get slightly bigger rooms but none of the Old New York ambience.

The Essex House is located just across the street from, and on the southern edge of, New York's magnificent Central Park. The heavily touristed crosstown street it sits on, Central Park South, is a mix of high-rise hotels and high-end apartment buildings. Retail is sparse on these park blocks, so there's very little indigenous street life; virtually everyone you'll see there will have a camera hanging around their neck. However, just two blocks east is Fifth Avenue, home to some of the most exclusive boutiques in New York City. Major attractions such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the MoMA can all be found within a 15-minute walk of the Essex House. There are nine subway lines within two blocks of the hotel, which makes getting to other sights farther afield -- including Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, and Brooklyn Bridge – easy, fast, and cheap. JFK Airport is about an hour away by car (though driving times vary widely depending on the time of the day), while LaGuardia can be reached in 30 to 50 minutes.

Most of the hotel’s 528 rooms and suites underwent full renovations in 2017-18. Art Deco touches, such as velvet chairs, silk-like curtains and bed skirts, patterned carpets, and a combination of dark and lighter colors make rooms feel elegant and stylish. Soft, understated tans and browns add some visual space, which is particularly smart in the 300-square-foot entry-level units. Many units have large windows overlooking Central Park, but others have views of either the street behind the hotel or a wall. All rooms are outfitted with plush king beds that have pillow-top mattresses and duvets, and most units have enough space for a crib or a chaise lounge. Rollaway beds are only permitted (for a fee) in larger Family Rooms and suites. However, all suites feature sofa beds for two additional guests. Some guests have reported some maintenance issues in units that were not fully renovated in 2017, including peeling wallpaper and water damage.

Standard amenities are decent but not outstanding for the price; they include large flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, air-conditioning, robes, slippers, iPod docks, and minibars. However, only suites have coffeemakers (free coffee is available in the lobby), and both internet access and safes are an extra charge. Bathrooms are clean and come stocked with Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, but the design style varies between rooms. Some are sleek and elegant, with marble finishes throughout and spacious counters, while others have more basic shower/tub combos with fabric curtains. Some suite categories have separate showers and soaking tubs.

Rooms with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade views are available.

Primp is the hotel’s full-service spa, which offers body treatments such as wraps, massages, and scrubs plus a variety of salon services in an elegant space on the third floor. Adjacent is the 24-hour fitness center that, although it is rather compact, offers a good array of cardio and strength-training machines. Southgate Bar & Restaurant has direct street access and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park, which make it popular not only among guests but among visitors and locals alike. It opens from early in the morning for breakfast -- both buffet and a la carte options available -- and closes late at night. The menu is mostly American. The bar area has seating around a fireplace. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service and allows local restaurants to deliver food directly to rooms.

The Essex House is a business-friendly hotel that offers a wide array of convenient perks for those traveling for work. There’s over 17,500 square feet of meetings space, as well as a 24-hour business center with copying and printing services for a fee. Valet parking is available for a steep fee and doesn’t include in and out privileges. Wi-Fi is only free in the lobby and other public areas. The Executive Lounge offers an array of freebies, including continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, and all-day non-alcoholic beverages.

The hotel charges a daily resort fee per room that includes credit for the spa, for laundry services, and for food and drinks. Pets are welcome for a non-refundable fee; weight restrictions apply, and only one pet is allowed per room.