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From88US$ /night
Check-in
23Jan2026Select date
Check-out
24Jan2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

611 Degraw Street, New York, New York, United States, 11217
-
Near Park Slope Playground
Nice
6.9
6.5
/10
1.4
/5

Essence Hotel, a 3-star property in Gowanus, integrates into a developing area with classic rowhouses and converted warehouses. The hotel provides a roundtrip airport shuttle, free manager's reception, and business center with WiFi.

Modern Room Amenities

The 48 individually decorated rooms at Essence Hotel feature iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and soundproofed walls. Each room includes a walk-in shower, coffee facilities, and city views.

Complimentary Reception Service

The property's free manager's reception provides refreshments for guests.

Services and Recreation

Guests access laundry services and on-street parking. Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus stands 0.3 miles from the property.

Transit and Landmarks

The Union Street Subway Station is 2 blocks away. Wall Street sits 3.5 miles from the property, while Washington Square Park showcases the area's natural beauty.

Must-do experiences

  • Stroll through the High Line for stunning views and unique art.
  • Savor a bagel at Russ & Daughters for a true New York breakfast.
  • Visit The Tenement Museum to learn about immigrant life in NYC.
  • Explore Smorgasburg in Williamsburg for diverse local food vendors.
  • Catch a live show at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Queen Room
2 persons
185 sq. feet 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Heating
Twin Room Two Twin Beds
2 persons
205 sq. feet 
2 Single beds
Shower
Heating
Standard Single Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet 
1 Double bed
Shower
Coffee machine
King Room
2 persons
205 sq. feet 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Heating
Click button to see more rooms
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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Off-site car park
  • 24-hour reception
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Lift
  • Coffee shop
  • Vending machines
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Car hire

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Terrace
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

  • Parquet floor
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Location

611 Degraw Street, New York, New York, United States, 11217
Map view
611 Degraw Street, New York, New York, United States, 11217
Nearby
575 Degraw Street
Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus
400 ft
Restaurants
Burgrito's
400 ft
173 4th Ave 4th Avenue
Brownstone Bagel & Bread Co
1000 ft
671 Union St
Wangs
1000 ft
671 Union St
Oaxaca Taqueria
1200 ft
250 4th Ave
My Cuban Spot
1500 ft
488 Carroll St
Konditori
1400 ft
186 5th Ave
Perfect Potato
1200 ft
172 5th Ave
Mee Thai Brooklyn
1300 ft
180 5th Ave
Pizza Cotta Bene
1600 ft
291 3rd Ave
Uncle Louie G's
1800 ft
741 Union St
Pizzatown
2100 ft
85 5th Ave
Explore New York
Explore the Local Scene
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
25 minutes' walk
A lush haven featuring diverse plant collections and seasonal events, often offering free admission days.
Brooklyn Museum
25 minutes' walk
Home to impressive art collections and exhibitions, hosts monthly free First Saturdays, ideal for all art enthusiasts.
Barclays Center
13 minutes' walk
Multipurpose arena hosting concerts, sports events, and entertainment, known for its vibrant atmosphere.
Gowanus Canal
16 minutes' walk
A historic waterway perfect for scenic walks and photography, showcasing New York's industrial heritage.
Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus
2 minutes' walk
An indoor climbing gym offering diverse climbing experiences for adventurers. No booking required for same-day sessions.
Yoga on the Roof
15 minutes' walk
Serene rooftop yoga classes with stunning views of the skyline. Early booking recommended for popular sessions.
Burgrito's
2 minutes' walk
Casual spot offering a flavorful blend of burgers and burritos, highlighting fresh ingredients in a vibrant setting.
My Cuban Spot
6 minutes' walk
Welcoming atmosphere serving authentic Cuban dishes, renowned for their empanadas and plantain specialties.
The Invisible Dog Art Center
15 minutes' walk
Dynamic art space hosting exhibitions and performances, often features local artists and unique cultural events.
Brooklyn Tabernacle
25 minutes' walk
Home to powerful gospel music services and performances, offering an uplifting experience with exceptional musicianship.
Getting around
City Centre
New York7 min  ·  2.7 mi
Airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)26 min  ·  10.6 mi
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)33 min  ·  13.5 mi
Train
Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall7 min  ·  2.6 mi
World Trade Center Station7 min  ·  2.7 mi
Underground
Union Street4 min  ·  1000 ft
Bus
Bus stop3 min  ·  700 ft

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
Guest reviews
5.0/10
based on 5 reviews
6.9
6.9/10 based on 149 reviews
Roger
United States, February  2025
5.0/10

My stay at the hotel was mixed. While the location is decent and allowed easy access to the subway and some local restaurants, the overall experience was quite disappointing. The rooms were rather cramped and not well-maintained, and service at the front desk left a lot to be desired. It's a place to crash for budget travelers but not much more.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms were small and felt outdated, making my stay less comfortable than expected.
Service
5.0
The front desk staff were unhelpful and unresponsive when I needed assistance.
Location
7.0
The hotel is conveniently close to a subway station, which made getting around the city easy.
Dining
5.0
Though the breakfast options were minimal, it was decent enough to start the day.
Facilities
5.0
The overall facilities were lacking, which detracted from the experience.
Joe
United States, December  2024
5.0/10

My stay at this hotel left a lot to be desired. While the staff attempted to be accommodating, the conditions of the rooms and the overall cleanliness were disappointing. The hotel is conveniently located near attractions, making it easy to explore the area, but the state of the facilities and the amenities offered detracted from the experience significantly.

Rooms
5.0
The room felt cramped, like I was in a closet, and I often scraped my thighs on the edge of the bedpost. However, I did enjoy a nice view of the city, which was a small highlight.
Service
5.0
While the staff tried to help, I had to deal with a persistent lack of clean towels during my two-night stay, which was frustrating.
Location
6.0
The location is decent, close to subways and various restaurants, but the surroundings feel a bit run down and there's a musty smell lingering.
Dining
5.0
Dining options are very basic and not particularly appealing, with only limited offerings available nearby.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities leave much to be desired, you have to go to the basement for the ice machine, and overall cleanliness was questionable.
Michael
United States, December  2024
5.0/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. While the affordability was a plus, the room was frustratingly small and the service was lacking when I needed assistance. However, the convenience of the subway nearby made it easy to get around and explore the area. Overall, if you're looking for budget options, it might work but expect to compromise on space and service.

Rooms
5.0
The room was incredibly small, reminding me of my old college dorm room. It was cramped, but given the budget-friendly price, I guess I shouldn't have expected more.
Service
5.0
The service was disappointing, especially when I needed someone at the front desk and there was no one available. It definitely detracted from my stay.
Location
8.0
The location was convenient with easy access to the subway, allowing me to explore various parts of the city without any hassle. It's perfect for getting around.
Dining
Facilities
5.0
Facilities were quite basic and not well-maintained, creating an atmosphere that felt run down. Not much focus on comfort or luxury was evident.
Don
United States, November  2024
5.0/10

My stay at the hotel was pretty disappointing overall. The rooms were extremely cramped with little space to move around, and I couldn't believe the poor maintenance - I found mold and dirt in the room. While the staff did provide assistance and were accommodating, the lack of cleanliness and the uncomfortable room situation overshadowed any positives. If you're looking for comfort and cleanliness, it's best to look elsewhere.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms were tiny, and cleanliness was a major issue with mold and dirt present, making it hard to feel comfortable.
Service
6.0
The staff were friendly and helpful, managing to make my stay more bearable despite the room conditions.
Location
6.0
The hotel's location was decent, but the surrounding area felt somewhat run-down.
Dining
5.0
Breakfast options were minimal, and not very satisfying at all.
Facilities
5.0
Facilities were lacking, with many pressing maintenance issues that were hard to overlook.
Gerald
United States, September  2024
5.0/10

My stay at this hotel was quite frustrating due to numerous issues with both the service and the room. The location was convenient for local attractions, but it overshadowed the negative experiences I encountered. I couldn't even get a good night's sleep because the rooms were incredibly small, which made the overall experience quite disappointing.

Rooms
5.0
The room was unbelievably tiny; I had to squeeze past my suitcase just to get around. I kept bumping into the sharp corners of the bed, making it a bit of a hazard.
Service
5.0
The service was disinterested and unhelpful. I felt like I was invisible to the staff, and when I raised concerns, they were dismissive rather than accommodating.
Location
7.0
The hotel is in a pretty good spot, close to several restaurants and the subway. However, the nearby areas had a strong smell of cigarette smoke, which was off-putting.
Dining
5.0
Breakfast was rather disappointing; it was just a croissant and a juice box, not what I expected for the price I paid.
Facilities
5.0
The overall facilities felt quite basic, which was okay, but not particularly impressive.
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
from 04:00-11:00
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
High-speed internet access is available in the entire hotel for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room.  There are no extra beds provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of floors:
4
Number of rooms:
40
Former name
Union Hotel Brooklyn
FAQs
About Essence Hotel
What is the check-in and check-out policy at Essence Hotel?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
Is parking available at Essence Hotel?
Street parking is available for guests.
What are the closest attractions to Essence Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Barclays Center (1 km) and Brooklyn Museum (3 km).
Which dining options are available near Essence Hotel?
Nearby restaurants include Insa (0.5 km), Threes Brewing (0.5 km), and Wangs (0.5 km).
What room amenities are available at Essence Hotel?
Rooms feature custom beds, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.
Does Essence Hotel have a gym for guests?
Guests have access to a gym area within the hotel.
Is breakfast available at Essence Hotel?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge.
What languages do the staff at Essence Hotel speak?
Staff members speak English.
How far is Essence Hotel from the nearest subway station?
The hotel is located 2 blocks from the Union Street Subway Station.
What features does Essence Hotel provide for guest comfort?
The hotel offers soundproof rooms and a rooftop terrace.

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