Fodor's Expert Review JW Marriott Essex House New York

With Central Park views and an Art Deco masterpiece of a lobby dating to 1931, the JW Marriott Essex House is a comfortable Midtown hotel full of character. The property's stately design is at its best in the elegant lobby, with inlaid marble floors and bas-relief elevator doors. Sizable rooms are also deco-inspired, with plush, modern furniture and marble bathrooms. Amenities in the hotel, however, are completely contemporary, including a well-equipped fitness center and spa with saunas and steam rooms. The Southgate restaurant draws a European crowd with its design-conscious, comfortable interior and extensive wine list.