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Essence Hotel

2.5 star property
Hotel with free breakfast, near Barclays Center Brooklyn

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Essence Hotel

Standard Room, 2 Twin Beds, Non Smoking | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe
Reception
Standard Queen Room | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe
Front of property
Reception

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
611 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
  • Place, Gowanus Canal
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Barclays Center Brooklyn
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Prospect Park
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Airport, New York, NY (JFK-John F. Kennedy Intl.)
    ‪28 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Full ROOM

Full ROOM | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Full ROOM

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Queen Room

Standard Queen Room | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Standard Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard King Room

Standard King Room | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Standard King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Queen Accessible Room

Queen Accessible Room | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Queen Accessible Room

7.0 out of 10
Good
(9 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Twin Bed

Twin Bed | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Twin Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Twin Bed

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$114 nightly
The price is $134
Jan 4 - Jan 5, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
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About the neighborhood

Brooklyn

Barclays Center Brooklyn is a short stroll from Essence Hotel, and other popular attractions like Prospect Park are within a mile (2 km). This 42-room hotel welcomes guests with conveniences like free breakfast, free in-room WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk.

What's nearby

  • Gowanus Canal - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Bond St Gallery - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Barclays Center Brooklyn - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Brooklyn Academy of Music - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Prospect Park - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • Union St. Station - 3 min walk
  • Brooklyn Flatbush Avenue Station - 11 min walk
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Union Street Pizza - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Beanmonger Coffee - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Finback Brooklyn - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Threes Brewing - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Essence Hotel

Hotel with free breakfast, near Barclays Center Brooklyn
Guests of Essence Hotel enjoy free WiFi in public areas, microwave in a common area, and a TV in a common area. The 24-hour front desk has multilingual staff ready to help with luggage storage, and answer any questions about the area. This smoke-free hotel also has a vending machine.
Guests can expect free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay movies. Pillowtop beds sport Egyptian cotton sheets and bathrooms offer rainfall showers, hair dryers, and designer toiletries. Other amenities include free newspapers, safes, and phones.

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The price is $129
Jan 4 - Jan 5, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Things to do

  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Elevator
  • Handrails in hallways
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 4 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable/satellite channels
  • Pay movies

Food and drink

  • Room service

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

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 at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

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 carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and window guards
  • Check-in: 3:00 PM—-11:00 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21
The front desk is open 24 hours a day.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • No parking is available onsite.
  • This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and window guards.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

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

Frequently asked questions

Are free cancellation options available at Essence Hotel?

Essence Hotel offers free cancellation on certain room rates. If you'd like to learn more, look at the cancellation policy on our site.

How much does it cost to stay at Essence Hotel?

As of Dec 21, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Essence Hotel on Jan 12, 2026 start from $98.1, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What is there to do around Essence Hotel?

This hotel is located in Brooklyn, a short 11-minute walk from Barclays Center Brooklyn and also 20 minutes on foot from Prospect Park. You'll also find Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Wall Street within a short drive.

Is there parking available at Essence Hotel?

No, there isn't parking at this hotel.

Does Essence Hotel feature a casino?

No, Essence Hotel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Essence Hotel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

Is Essence Hotel a good place to stay for couples?

Couples staying at this hotel will appreciate amenities like a pillowtop mattress and a rainfall showerhead as well as free breakfast.

Are there hot tubs at Essence Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does Essence Hotel feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

Essence Hotel offers free on-the-go breakfast each morning though there is no restaurant.

Does Essence Hotel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at Essence Hotel though service animals are welcome.

Are there connecting rooms at Essence Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Where is the closest airport to Essence Hotel?

The closest major airport to Essence Hotel is LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which is 10.7 mi away (35 minutes by car). Another top airport is Newark Liberty Intl. Airport (EWR), which is located 22.3 mi away (44-minute drive).

Are there rooms with balconies at Essence Hotel?

No, you won't find guestrooms with balconies at Essence Hotel.

Essence Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 68 out of 204 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 39 out of 204 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 38 out of 204 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 204 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 34 out of 204 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Randall

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary, STANHOPE

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel for a quick trip to Brooklyn. Small but exactly what was needed to sleep and refresh while in Brookly
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

James

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was not able to stay here overnight and decided to leave early because the whole situation felt unsafe. The place smelled like cigarettes and weed, there was no lock on the door that wasn’t connected to the key card, and at 2pm, down the hall, there was a man that would not stop yelling. It seemed as though his window outside was open and had a trash bag taped over it, and I was not able to get an understandable answer from the front desk as to why he was yelling or if it would stop (it seemed like it wouldn’t).
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Denise

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Luis

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Herbert

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The reviews helped to set my expectations- they said "tiny rooms but clean and quiet". They were right. Just enough space to fit a bed, but if you're only staying a night, it works.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Olivia

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Muy limpio y ordenado
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Very clean and convenient location

The hotel is very clean. The room was very clean. The only downfall is the room is real small. There’s not a lot of room to move around.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matt

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
OK, let's get it out of the way: YES! The rooms are very compact. So, expect to have to scoot around the bed and not have much room for stuff. I took a star off for cleanliness because the hard floor was dirty and we tracked bits and other people's hair into the bed. So, the cleaners need better training. The bed was super comfortable. The sheets were clean. The HVAC works very well. The shower was nice and hot. The staff are incredibly friendly and very helpful. The bagged breakfast (with 7 different things!) and endless coffee in the basement cafeteria are nice touches. The location to the Barclay and Paramount is excellent. Close to Prospect Park. Literally over 100 restaurants within an easy walk. Lots of shopping within an easy walk. 2 blocks from the R subway, so you can be anywhere in the city. 20 minute subway/walk to the beach at Coney Island. If you go in expecting a 3-star experience in a tiny room, you will be very satisfied, especially with the rate you are paying compared to nearby places. My litmus test for any accommodation: would I stay there again? YES!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Larry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Comfortable bed.

I'll be coming back for sure. Easy parking, great bed, helpful nice staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ray

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The room is way smaller that what it looks.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great deal
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

LIONEL

The area was good. The only thing I dont like was the size of the room. There no space to open your suitcase. I have to walk sizeway to go around the bed.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff was great, but the property was run down. The bed barely fit in the room and there was hardly enough space to squeeze by the bed to access the bathroom. No chair in the room. The AC unit was right against the bed and blew air on me all night.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Linden

Disliked: Staff & service
tiny rooms, no space to move around, no table
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Saif

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stay here!

Great price, great location, clean, friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Nancie

Traveled with group

Mixed

Clean, pretty good shower and mattress. But very uncomfortable room: only an overhead light, no nightstand to put a lamp or a cup of coffee on, lots of sharp corners/edges to hit your legs on. Expensive for what you get. Sorry won’t be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Quinton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Not a Fan

The place is in a nice location but the rooms are very small with unpainted repaired patches or places where repairs were needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Shiva

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Isabel

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

candice

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Location! Location! Great neighborhood to explore! Free and easy street parking. Room was tiny but its NY, you'll get used to it!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Rakem

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Douglas

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

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