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
H
hyunji • solo_traveller • us
1
Pros:

The staff were very friendly, and it was close to Jamaica Station.

Cons:

The marijuana smell was extremely strong(so strong that it got into my clothes and luggage). There was a large amount of body hair both on and inside the bedding. I also found a dead insect, about the size of a finger segment, stuck inside the blanket.
I specifically requested a clean room, but it was incredibly dirty, and the smell made my stay very uncomfortable. I only stayed briefly early in the morning before heading from the airport to Manhattan, but the odor was so overwhelming that I still felt sick the next day. Honestly, I think staying overnight at the airport would have been better.
I put towels on top of the bed, rested my eyes for a short time, and left as soon as possible.

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
L
Layandra • solo_traveller • us
5
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • solo_traveller • us
6
clean and comfortable but a little noisy
Pros:

room was clean, located very conveniently for an overnight airport stay

Cons:

other guests were noisy, i think this hotel doubles as an airport overnight and a spot for locals looking for a fun time room

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
P
Paoced • solo_traveller • pf
9
Pros:

The staff 's help and attention.

Cons:

The neighborhood but this is less important as i stayer Just one night.

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
D
Diane • solo_traveller • lc
10
Exceptional
Pros:

Didn't use

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
H
Hill • solo_traveller • us
10
Pros:

Bed was super comfy. Room had a mini-fridge. My corner room was nice & quiet! Various types of ehtnic restaurants were within walking distance, as was access to the JFK Airtrain. Had I known it was that close, I wouldn't have taken an Uber from the airport. $35 vs. $8.75 is a no-brainer!

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
O
Oscar • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
D
Dovilé • solo_traveller • ae
1
2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
M
Michelle • solo_traveller • us
6
My stay here was ok it was missing body wash , those mini combs and toothpaste and toothbrush in ca
2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
M
Maria Lorena • couple • ar
10
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
D
Donate • solo_traveller • de
9
Pros:

Die Lage, super Preis Leistungsverhältnis

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
D
Dianne • couple • gb
8
Picked due to cost and proximity to JFK and the hotel itself was good. Allowed a late check out too.
Pros:

Efficient check in and checkout. Clean room. Gave us a free late checkout which was very much appreciated.

Cons:

The general area was quite rundown so that would stop me from staying there again.

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
A
Alkan • solo_traveller • us
7
2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
M
Mirickle • couple • us
10
2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
F
Francisco • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
E
Elisha • couple • us
7
2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
F
Fior • solo_traveller • do
7
2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
V
Vincent • solo_traveller • us
7
Pros:

Room was very clean

Cons:

Location

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
J
Jaime • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
T
Tamar • couple • us
6
2026-07-17 • via Nuitee