Review: JW Marriott Essex House New York | Marriott Bonvoy

To the point A great stay at the JW Marriott Essex House New York, a luxury hotel overlooking Central Park, paid for with Marriott Bonvoy points!

A few days ago, we put together a list of the different hotels available in New York with Marriott Bonvoy points and Marriott Bonvoy starpoints. This gave us ideas… and for this Thanksgiving weekend we went to New York at the JW Marriott Essex House New York!

Our stay at the JW Marriott Essex House New York

Thanks to the – very recent – complementarity of the Marriott Bonvoy and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, it has become possible to transfer points from one loyalty program to the other.

transfer of spg points to marriott 2 — Both SPG cards earn 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points!

But also to obtain an equivalence of status in the two hotel groups.

equivalence statuts spg marriott ritz — Status matches in the 3 groups

Having the Marriott Bonvoy Gold status thanks to my American Express Platinum Card – also available to holders of the American Express Corporate Platinum Card – I instantly obtained Marriott Bonvoy Gold status allowing, among other things, upgrades, late check-out, and breakfasts (or access to the hotel lounge).

Room reservation with points at the JW Marriott Essex House New York

As a loyal Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program starpoint collector, including American Express personal and corporate credit card sign-up bonuses, I had a significant number of SPG starpoints.

To book a room for 2 nights at the JW Marriott Essex House New York, I needed to have 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points according to the site (that’s 45,000 points per night instead of US$570 that weekend).

90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 2 nights

However, while continuing the reservation, surprise! The stay will only cost 85,000 points because a promotion was applied on one night (PointSaver).

85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points instead of 90,000 for this 2-night stay

The conversion rate is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 SPG starpoint, so I transferred 28,334 starpoints (or 85,002 Marriott points) to afford this stay! The transfer was instantaneous, so I was able to book immediately.

reservation jw marriott 3 — Transfer of starpoints and booking of the JW Marriott Essex House

Arrival at the JW Marriott Essex House New York

The hotel is located across the street from Central Park, right next to Columbus Circle. Being in a car, we had the choice to either leave the car with the valet (70 US$ per night) or to find a place… which we managed to do along Central Park… which was free for the weekend.

jw marriott essex house nyc — JW Marriott Essex House New York – credit: Marriott

Despite a late morning arrival, our room is already ready (one of the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold status when available).

jwmarriott essexhouse59 — Reception – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse60 — Reception – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse61 — Reception – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse62 — Reception – JW Marriott Essex House New York

This weekend being for us an occasion to celebrate our wedding anniversary, I had mentioned it when booking… and Yamira L. at the reception did her best to find us the best room available: it will be for us an upgrade of 10 categories to be in a “suite with a view on Central Park” on the 38th floor (out of the 40 that the hotel has)… for the second night the hotel being full the first.

First night: a classic room at the JW Marriott Essex House New York

We took possession of our room on the 28th floor which is very comfortable and well above New York standards.

jwmarriott essexhouse11 — Room Floor – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse16 — The floors in the elevator – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse0 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse1 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse2 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse4 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse3 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse5 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse8 — Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

The bathroom in the Essex Room has a bath/shower and is quite spacious, still above Manhattan standards.

jwmarriott essexhouse6 — Bathroom Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse7 — Bathroom Essex Room – JW Marriott Essex House New York

The view is “Manhattan side” so on the buildings side.

jwmarriott essexhouse10 — Essex Room View – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Second night: a suite overlooking Central Park at the JW Marriott Essex House New York

Coming back from our walk, we discover our new room, a suite on the 38th floor with a view on Central Park… and what a view!

jwmarriott essexhouse28 — View from a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Our luggage had been transferred there and a small welcome gift was waiting for us.

jwmarriott essexhouse27 — Gift: a box of macaroons – Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse58 — Gift: 2 complimentary cocktails at the bar – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Thank you again to Megan D. for this kind gesture!

This suite is composed of an entrance hall with a shower room.

jwmarriott essexhouse42 — Lobby – Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse43 — Lobby – Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse38 — Powder Room – Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

A living room with a sofa bed, a room that will be our daughter’s bedroom with 2 windows overlooking Central Park.

jwmarriott essexhouse37 — Living room of a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse44 — Living room of a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse45 — Living room of a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse39 — Living room of a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

A “corner” master bedroom with a view of both Central Park & Columbus Circle and its own bathroom.

jwmarriott essexhouse35 — Central Park Suite Master Bedroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse36 — Central Park Suite Master Bedroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse30 — View of Columbus Circle from a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse31 — Central Park Suite Master Bedroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

The bathroom has a large bathtub (not the traditional bathtub-shower) and a large enclosed shower.

jwmarriott essexhouse32 — Central Park Suite bathroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse33 — Central Park Suite bathroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse34 — Central Park Suite bathroom – JW Marriott Essex House New York

I might as well tell you that this sequel exceeded all our expectations. My two “princesses” hung out of the windows during the entire sunset!

jwmarriott essexhouse29 — View from a Central Park Suite – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold status

At the JW Marriott Essex House New York, we used all the benefits offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, namely:

the upgrade (and what an upgrade!)
early arrival (at noon)
late departure (at 4pm)
Free WI-FI (instead of $16.95 per 24 hours)
access to the “JW Executive Lounge

The JW Executive Lounge

The JW Executive Lounge is located on the Lobby level next to the elevators. It is only available to Marriott Bonvoy Gold or Platinum members.

jwmarriott essexhouse13 — Executive Lounge – JW Marriott Essex House New York

It is open on weekends at lunchtime, and the rest of the week during the day and evening.

jwmarriott essexhouse14 — Executive Lounge – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Unlike other hotels that simply offer the minimum in their lounges, the JW Marriott Essex House goes the extra mile. We have everything that makes a good breakfast! That’s enough to save 45$ / person (!!!), price asked for the lunches at the hotel restaurant.

jwmarriott essexhouse25 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse24 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse23 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse22 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse21 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse20 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse19 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse18 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse17 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

I might as well warn you that the lounge is quite busy in the morning. However, we quickly found a seat (and it has seats for children, which is very nice).

In the evening, appetizers and refreshments are offered. However, alcohol is not free.

jwmarriott essexhouse47 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse46 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse48 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse52 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse54 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse55 — Executive lounge buffet – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse50 — Executive lounge – JW Marriott Essex House New York

jwmarriott essexhouse51 — Executive lounge – JW Marriott Essex House New York

Bottom Line

As you might expect from this travelogue, this was a great stay at the JW Marriott Essex House New York. For about 28,000 starpoints (or 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points), I think it’s a real bargain for a luxurious stay at this 4-star hotel in New York.

As a reminder, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit card alone already earns 20,000 starpoints!