The Essence Hotel at JFK

Hotels
6.5 (619 reviews)
9701 Waltham Street , Jamaica , us

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Laundry
Luggage storage
Non-smoking throughout
Daily housekeeping
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Location
Friendly staff
Spacious rooms
Good transport access
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Limited amenities
High prices
Poor service experiences

Categories

Cleanliness
4
Reviews mentioned unclean sheets and towels, and rooms that had unpleasant smells.
Service
8
Mixed sentiments; generally positive experiences with some staff, but one negative interaction.
Location
9.5
Great proximity to JFK Airport and public transport, praised in multiple reviews.
Room Quality
6
General comments about spaciousness, but some negative notes about cleanliness and functionality.
Amenities
6
Lack of basic amenities like microwave and vegetarian breakfast options left room for improvement.
Value for Money
5
Many felt the hotel was overpriced given the conditions described in the reviews.
Food and Beverage
6
Limited breakfast options; not accommodating to dietary preferences noted.
Overall Experience
7.5
Overall, an average experience was reported with notable positives and some marked negatives.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 11:47

Property Description

Convenient Location: The Essence Hotel at JFK is strategically located near major attractions like Arthur Ashe Stadium and Belmont Park Race Track.
Comfortable Accommodation: Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and free toiletries ensure a comfortable stay for guests.
Exceptional Service: Enjoy round-the-clock assistance from our multilingual staff, along with a continental breakfast for a great start to your day.

Book now at The Essence Hotel at JFK for a memorable and comfortable stay during your visit to Jamaica!

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

6.5
Based on 619 reviews
Cleanliness: 4
Service: 8
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 6
Amenities: 6
Value for Money: 5
Food and Beverage: 6
Overall Experience: 7.5
B
Balazs • couple • nz
5
For New York standards, we are happy with our stay.
Pros:

Its proximity to the train station.

Cons:

The AC unit was quite loud, we have nicknamed it as: the generator.
The neighbourhood is quite dirty and stinky.

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
S
sarder • solo_traveller • bd
8
Pros:

Staff behave

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
M
Maureen • solo_traveller • us
2
IT was not the best … very basic…. Minimal upkeep and service…didn’t offer much. Ok for one night.
Pros:

I booked it for the proximity to Jamaica station.

Cons:

There was a grungy carpet in room. THe receptionist didn’t know anything about how to input a Choice rewards number so I didn’t get any points for the room?. Also, there was no ready hot coffee in the breakfast room as the receptionist there would be and no breakfast. The neighborhood area around hotel seemed sketchy.

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
A
Alina • couple • us
8
A good choice for the location and the price. Convenient, comfortable, and overall good value for the money.
Pros:

The location

Cons:

The doors slam loudly every time someone enters or leaves, which can be quite disturbing. The sound insulation is also very poor—you can hear almost everything from the neighboring rooms, including their AC, vents, and even conversations. Unfortunately, this made it difficult to have a quiet and relaxing stay.

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
E
Eustace • solo_traveller • us
8
Worth the money
Pros:

Close to where I needed to attend

Cons:

No parking

2026-08-29 • via Nuitee
S
steven • couple • us
9
2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
A
Anas • solo_traveller • sa
1
2026-08-25 • via Nuitee
S
Sharon • couple • us
5
2026-08-22 • via Nuitee
M
Mariia • solo_traveller • fi
1
however, if you have a very early flight, you can tough it out for one night
Pros:

the only good thing about this hotel is its distance from the underground station and airport

Cons:

Every sockets was broken. The carpet on the floor smelled strongly of dirt. The bathroom drain didn't work at all; I had to wash while standing knee-deep in dirty water.

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
M
makayla • couple • us
10
2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
A
Adnan • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
J
Juana • couple • do
10
2026-08-19 • via Nuitee
L
Lunette • couple • us
8
It’s ok.for the price could be better
Pros:

Clean. Bed firm. Furniture broken and outdated.

Cons:

Lobby messy and look deplorable. Furniture outdated and broken. Sewer back up. Water settles in the sink.

2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
A
Alex • couple • us
10
2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
L
Lunette • couple • us
7
Use it only if you can’t find anything else
Pros:

Location but horrible parking.

Cons:

No parking. Smelly rooms. Phones don’t work. One staff (Supervisor) very mean and rude. No breakfast. No sitting area or restroom.

2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
C
cyril • family_with_children • fr
8
Pros:

Les équipements et la propreté

Cons:

Le petit déjeuner est sans intérêt

2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
V
Valerio • solo_traveller • us
7
2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
S
Sylvester • couple • us
1
2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
C
Chiboss • couple • gb
5
Pros:

Location was the only plus as ease of getting to JFK due to access to the train station.

Cons:

I think they should stop offering the breakfast pack as its not worth it.
Its better to say no breakfast than offer it. The room had no cream for coffee or tea.
The management also wasn't helpful in getting my refund.
I will definitely not be staying when next time I visit New York.

2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
A
Aurora • solo_traveller • us
2
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee