Country Inn & Suites Newark - Review with Pics

[subtchr]

Hi, all,

 

As promised, here is a review of the Country Inn & Suites near the Newark airport, with plenty of pics. I stayed there last weekend on a work trip. I escort groups (usually school bands and choirs) on trips for a travel company.

 

The trip overall was great, but could have been a literal disaster...we were in Times Square Saturday night. Some of the parents in our group saw the SUV and even the smoke coming out of it, before the police and firefighters swooped in and cleared everything out. Even with that we really had no idea how serious it all could have been. The more I read now, the more unnerving it all is.

 

Having said that, here goes on the review!

 

We were very happy with the hotel. Clean, looked relatively new, and seemed to be in a safe area. Great service from the staff, as well.

 

I asked about the transportation that is provided as part of the cruise package at the hotel, and the clerk said it was through a local company and usually leaves the hotel between noon and 1:00, and the bus goes to other hotels as well.

 

Now for the pics...hotel entrance:

 

 

Photo from near the entrance showing the neighboring Courtyard and Residence Inn:

 

 

We did not go to the outlet mall, but you could definitely walk there if you wanted:

 

 

Gate into secured parking area behind the hotel:

 

 

Lobby seating area:

 

 

Computer available for guests beside the front desk, including printer:

 

 

More in next post...

[subtchr]

Elevators (which I found VERY slow...not just crowded/slow, but mechanically slow):

 

 

Luggage carts available across from the elevators:

 

 

Small shop beside the front desk for snacks/sundries:

 

 

 

Stairway from lobby to second floor:

 

 

Hallway:

 

 

To be continued....

[megr1125]

Nice....thanks! Looks just like it does when I am there.....LOL!:D

I like that you added the other hotels and the mall......

 

awaiting more....:p

 

 

BTW you're correct about the elevators...slow is a NICE way to describe them...and i am not sure why....as i've been there when it wasn't super busy.

[subtchr]

I did not use the pool, but the kids did, and they said it was great, warm and clean. I noticed that towels were plentiful, placed over the back of each chair. Pool, hot tub, and pool deck:

 

 

 

 

I had a king room, very spacious and well-equipped for my needs. Here are a couple pics:

 

 

 

[subtchr]

Well, I have to admit it did not have a flat screen tv, so as we cc'ers all know, that's reason enough not to stay here...:rolleyes:

 

Actually, the picture on the tv was lousy. If I had any time to really watch other than just turning it on for noise when I was getting ready, I would have had someone come look at it, but I was too tired after an all-night bus ride and touring the city each day to worry about it!

 

A couple other pics around the room:

 

TV:

 

 

mini-fridge:

 

 

Bathroom (clean, good water pressure):

 

 

 

Wired internet connection (there was free wireless available, too, but the signal was not great, at least for my computer, so I just used the wired):

 

[138east]

What wonderful pictures! Thank you so much. The hotel looks terrific - particularly for an "airport" hotel. I recommend it a lot and will continue to do so.

 

It's interesting that on a lot of travel sites this hotel has a 2.5* rating - doesn't begin to look like a 2.5* to me. Could it be because there is no flat screen TV? (just kidding)

[subtchr]

Despite being near the flight path for Newark, I found the hotel very quiet. Of course, that may have also been a function of how tired I was! The view from my room (nothing special):

 

 

Breakfast, in a dedicated room down the hall a little ways from the lobby, was good. The usual for this type of chain - make your own waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, bagels, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juices, milk, breads, etc.:

 

 

 

 

[subtchr]

So overall I would highly recommend this hotel. Having said that, DH and I are not planning to stay here before we cruise in June.

 

We have reservations at the Newark Penn Station Hilton, because we plan to go into NYC the day before the cruise (our flight lands at 8:00 am), so we wanted easy access to the train. And for transportation to the port, we would not use the shuttle provided by CI&S even if we stayed there, because we want to get to the ship much earlier than mid-afternoon. We are using Black executive car service from the Hilton instead.

 

I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has.

 

Sue

[subtchr]

What wonderful pictures! Thank you so much. The hotel looks terrific - particularly for an "airport" hotel. I recommend it a lot and will continue to do so.

 

It's interesting that on a lot of travel sites this hotel has a 2.5* rating - doesn't begin to look like a 2.5* to me. Could it be because there is no flat screen TV? (just kidding)

 

I'd agree with this (and I was kidding about the flat screen tv, also!). I was not expecting just how nice the hotel was, both interior and exterior. It was so nice to have such a pleasant place to come back to after a couple busy days in the city.

[gracee]

subtchr thanks so much for the pics! They are awesome. I especially like the one w/the mall because we are planning a walk to the mall to pick up the bus to the city. It looks nicer than I had imagined. And I like all the street lights--that makes me feel better about coming back in the evening.

Thanks for taking the time to post these pictures--I know there's a lot of people who will appreciate seeing them.

[Puffinater]

Nice job with your review. Just might be the most complete hotel review I have ever seen on here. Thanks.

[linkerbink]

We stayed there before our April 15th cruise and found it to be all we needed for a pre-cruise stay. The room was clean and spacious as shown in the photos. I'd certainly stay there again.

[Jimbo]

Wish they had a more reasonable stay, park and cruise package though.

 

Jimbo:)

[Langley Cruisers]

Thank you! how thoughtful of you. We stayed there too and loved it. Hubby just said to me, "I wish we'd had these pictures before we booked it." (I mean, just so we'd know what to expect.)

[greatam]

Is this the same Country Inn and Suites that used to be all over the MidWest?? Pictures look identical to the ones in Omaha and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have both changed ownership. Just curious.

[megr1125]

Is this the same Country Inn and Suites that used to be all over the MidWest?? Pictures look identical to the ones in Omaha and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have both changed ownership. Just curious.

 

AFAIK yes......they started to pop up around these parts a few years ago........

[greatam]

AFAIK yes......they started to pop up around these parts a few years ago........

 

Thanks

[A Sixth?]

You mentioned that the port shuttle leaves between noon and 1 pm, (there's just one departure?)

 

What about the return trip. How/when /where do you meet the shuttle at the port to get back to the hotel and your car?

 

(Great pics BTW Thanks!)

[138east]

My understanding is that when you check in you can sign up for a shuttle time. For the return trip they provide taxi vouchers which can be used for a return trip when you get off the ship.

[A Sixth?]

My understanding is that when you check in you can sign up for a shuttle time. For the return trip they provide taxi vouchers which can be used for a return trip when you get off the ship.

 

 

That sounds civilised! So if you need to get off early you don't have to wait for the 'shuttle" to fill up, and if you want to get off the ship late you don't miss it. Right?

[138east]

That's my understanding. Perhaps one of the folks who have actually used the shuttle will post.

[subtchr]

That's my understanding. Perhaps one of the folks who have actually used the shuttle will post.

 

I hope someone does report...I just wrote what the desk clerk told me about pickup to go from the hotel to the port being between 12 and 1. I specifically asked because if we were to consider using it, we would want to head to the ship much earlier than that.

 

The clerk told me that there was usually only one pickup, and the number of people who had signed up for it at the CI&S and whatever other hotels it was going to determined how big of a vehicle makes the trip.

 

Of course, we all know that with many things of this nature, if you don't like the answer you can always try asking someone else! So if someone who has used the shuttle has better info, I hope they post. Armed with the answer I got, we are still planning to use a car service so that we can be at the port by 11:30 or so.

 

Sue

[138east]

I know folks have posted - if you search you may find the posts. If you want to get to the port early, I would aim for 10:30-11:00. You might have to wait in the lounge to board, but you would be among the first groups. Just take a book and your patience.

[subtchr]

I know folks have posted - if you search you may find the posts. If you want to get to the port early, I would aim for 10:30-11:00. You might have to wait in the lounge to board, but you would be among the first groups. Just take a book and your patience.

 

thanks for the advice - I don't have a problem waiting, that's for sure! I was just sharing what the clerk at the hotel told me about the shuttle they contract with for the stay and cruise package at CI&S. I know we can get the car service for whenever we want, which is why we are using one.

 

Our first two cruises we arrived at the port about 2:00, because we were not able to come in a day early due to other commitments. So this time we are planning to take full advantage of being able to get there among the first to board!

[138east]

Are you still planning to stay at the Newark Penn Station Hilton?