Essence Hotel

2.5 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Essence Hotel

Standard Room
Reception
Standard Room
Restaurant
Restaurant

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Breakfast included
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
611 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
  • Barclays Center Brooklyn
    11 min walk
  • Brooklyn Academy of Music
    13 min walk
  • Prospect Park
    20 min walk
  • New York, NY (JFK-John F. Kennedy Intl.)
    52 min drive

Room options

Standard Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room

  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room

  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room

  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Twin Bed

Full ROOM

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Similar properties

About this property

Essence Hotel

Hotel with free breakfast, near Barclays Center Brooklyn
A microwave in a common area, a 24-hour front desk, and a TV in a common area are available at this smoke-free hotel. Free on-the-go breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, multilingual staff, a banquet hall, and a vending machine are onsite.
Essence Hotel offers 42 accommodations with safes and complimentary newspapers. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Pillowtop beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with premium satellite channels and pay movies. Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads, designer toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

During your stay at Essence Hotel, you'll be within walking distance of Barclays Center Brooklyn. Free breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are available.
  • Free on-the-go breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi (speed: 25+ Mbps)
  • Amenities include a multilingual staff, an elevator, and a vending machine
  • Just a 2-minute drive from Barclays Center Brooklyn and 5 minutes from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have free WiFi. A vending machine, multilingual staff, and a television in a common area are also featured at the business-friendly Essence Hotel.

This Brooklyn hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served free on-the-go breakfast daily from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Room service is available.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free off-site parking within 5 ft
  • Street parking available

Food and drink

  • Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 8:30 AM–10:30 AM
  • Room service available

Family friendly

  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Banquet hall
  • Lift
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille signage
  • Lift
  • Handrails in hallways
  • Handrails in stairwells
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Shared microwave
  • Smoke-free property
  • TV in lobby

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Bed sheets
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Pillow-top mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • TV/satellite channels
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Films for purchase
  • Premium channels

More

  • Desk
  • Free newspapers
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Iron/ironing board (on request)
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofing

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and window guards
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.

We should mention

  • Children 18 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

Union Brooklyn
Union Hotel Brooklyn
Union Hotel an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Union Hotel
Essence Hotel Hotel
Essence Hotel Brooklyn
Essence Hotel Hotel Brooklyn

Essence Hotel Reviews

Reviews

6.0
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 71 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 71 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 15 out of 71 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 71 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 22 out of 71 reviews" "

6.2/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

5.2/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

5.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Muriel

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was not as advertised. It was not well kept and was more of a local hostle than a real hotel. The place was under some construction and smoke detectors were covered and the room itself especially the bathroom was very dirty. The price was. One room had a closed for construction but somone was in the room. Also they took a copy of my ID which was weird. This was not a good spot at all and I come to Brooklyn all the time. making loud noise and had the
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Zakari

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was the worst hotel I ever stayed in. I should’ve made a review sooner but to this day I still get nightmares. The rooms are the size of the size of a closet, when you open the door you’re welcomed with a literal foot to the bed. The bathroom smelled like old sewage. There was mold and stains in the shower, that made you want to wear shower shoes as if you’re back in college dorms. The bed was hard as hard as a rock. And with how unclean and disgusting the room was, I went back home. Didn’t even bother staying the night. I just wanted a weekend a way from the house. Spend the extra money and go somewhere else please
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Vincent

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

JACOB EDWARD

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allayah

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Ena

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My check in and stay was very smooth and swift. Interior neat and close to shopping and food. It was exactly what I needed
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Thomas

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is the Spirit Airlines of hotels, and I mean that as a compliment AND an insult. The room barely fits a queen size bed (which was comfortable enough) to where the bathroom door doesn't open the whole way. The phone and lamp were not plugged in, the shower took 5 minutes to warm up and then 5 minutes later set off the fire alarm. The soap, shampoo, and conditioner was all empty. The fire exit was also locked, which instilled a level of concern I've never felt before. So why 2 stars and not 0? It's cheap. I slept 6hrs. I didn't die. I received the exact experience I paid for, so I cannot say I was surprised. It (barely) met my expectations. Do I recommend it? God no. But it does in a pinch.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Daphne

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
The staff at the front desk were amazing. Incredible customer service & assistance. The cleaning staff were not as helpful and were rarely seen. As for the appearance there was some work being done on my floor, outside my room. However, the staff at front desk were very helpful they asked if we were ok, if we needed to change locations but we were ok.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I’m staying here every time
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

janet

Travelled with group
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely loved the roof view and how quiet and personal it all felt.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Teon

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Sheila

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Got what I paid for
Apparently the hotel changed ownership the day after I booked (8/27). Was initially told 2 days prior to check in my reservation was cancelled. Hotel.com was able to correct that. The room had a king size bed (which was comfortable) but it literally took up 98% of the room. No ironing board/iron after there was a sign in the room stating to ask for one and when I did they said they didn’t have one. I stayed from Saturday to Tuesday , Monday I work remotely and even though the WiFi was great. They were doing renovations and had to come into my room to put a lock on the window. Which was a nuisance. It says serve breakfast but you get a bag of children’s snacks, water and a box juice. The kitchen area in the basement had mattresses and AC units stored there. so that was out of the question. The basement area had an ice machine with mold where employees would store cans of soda with no ice scoop. The shower had no enclosure so the water would just pool on the floor. Yeah I got what I paid for under $600….but I had fun at the Usher concert
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Erica

Liked: Staff & service
Windows were bolted shut. No fresh air could get in.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Tanya

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very unprofessional
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Sergey

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Being New work is being done but for the most part I would be a customer again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Diego Antonio

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Crazy
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Marie

Disliked: Amenities
Room are extremely small no fridge no microwave the bathroom is in the same room area with the bedroom. Staff smell need to shower. And the over charge people like $354 per night. Area smell really bad . I will never refer anyone there
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Esteve

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Matthew

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Already wrote review. Terrible place to sleep. Bed bugs, broken doors and holes in the walls and flies everywhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

James

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The worst hotel I’ve ever stayed ever in my life. Nothing listed on the website is accurate. They actually had bagged breakfast as an option
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Ian

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Extremely loud - the front desk is the one blasting Indian Musi a through the night, I was up from 2am until the rest of the night and they refused even a partially refund. Even after I showed the manager the videos I recorded. DO NOT STAY HERE.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
When I booked the hotel, I assumed it was fully up and running. However, when I actually got there, I found out they were only open for a few days and were still under going renovations. It was a little chaotic my first night. However, the manager and his front desk agent were very accommodating as far as making my stay as comfortable as possible considering the circumstances. It was their excellent customer service that ultimately lead me to continue my stay for the 5 nights I booked. And when the renovations are completed I will definitely book another stay with them.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very close to public transportation. Room I'd very small but but good for one person. Location is super convenient. Staff great.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024