Courtyard By Marriott Newport Jersey City
540 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

The smaller than average room was standard issue Courtyard with basic, mid-range colonial-like furniture. Immediately to the right upon walking in was a divided bathroom: outside a Spartan, Holiday Inn-like room housing the shower and commode was an area with a fairly nice sink and mirror. Beyond that was a moderately firm king bed with two nightstands, the usual dresser with TV atop, an average sized work table and office chair (with a hook-up to free, high speed Internet), as well as a small pull-out couch and oval coffee table. The lovely view was predominantly of a multi-level parking garage directly across the way, with an insignificant sliver of Manhattan between two tall buildings off to the left. The room was nice and quiet, with only the brief, muffled chatter of housekeeping audible in the morning, and nothing else.

The public areas are pleasant and attractive, if not full of character. The lobby has a comfortable, although somewhat bland lounge, with a gas fireplace and large screen TV. Next door with a similar vibe is the hotel cafe, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner - but there's no shortage of more interesting choices within easy walking distance.

Also on the lobby level is a pool (inadequate for laps) and a Jacuzzi. Across from there is an exercise area in a room that's too small, with a half dozen or so aerobics machines cramped together and, for weights, one Universal type apparatus with several stations off in a corner. All the equipment appeared to be relatively new and in good working order, as was the fountain dispensing ice cold spring water. Further down the hall from there you'll find the laundry room with one washer and dryer.

Midtown Manhattan is just a 15 minute or so ride from the Pavonia/Newport PATH station adjacent to the hotel. Parking, I believe, was $14.

All in all, I would say clearly no competition for the Hyatt here, and despite the free high speed Internet and closer proximity to the PATH, I'd even give a slight edge to the Doubletree Suites, due to their larger rooms with refrigerator and microwave. But if you're looking for an inexpensive alternative to staying in New York City and nothing better has panned out, this is a reasonably nice, comfortable alternative that will work.

Manhattan-bound travelers looking for value would do well to consider staying in the Newport area of Jersey City, just a PATH train ride away. The Marriott Courtyard is right next door to the Pavonia/Newport station, convenient for access to midtown Manhattan, and much closer than the Doubletree, which is several blocks away. (The Hyatt Regency is at the Exchange Place station, which is convenient to the Financial District but less so to midtown.) Night owls, however, should note that the last PATH train leaves Manhattan at 11:40 (midnight on Saturdays), so if you're planning on staying out late, Jersey City may not be for you.

This 2 1/2* property is the equivilent or better of some 3* hotels in Manhattan, and if you're willing to forego the convenience of being able to pop into your hotel easily in the middle of the day, the savings will be worth it.

My room faced Washington Boulevard, so I was spared the sight of the parking garages on the other side. I asked for and received a nonsmoking room, despite the fact that the Marriott website had stated that no such rooms were available. The clerk noticed immediately that I had booked my two sequential nights separately, and gave me the same room with the same entry card for both. All that was necessary was that room charges for the two nights had to be collected separately. I don't think I was treated differently because I was a Priceline customer.

The previous poster has described the room and the hotel accurately, so I'll add only that there is a PC with (slow) Internet access and a printer available for free (30 minute maximum) in the lobby. I found that extremely helpful both for staying in touch and for researching things during my stay.

All in all, I was very satisfied with the hotel and would certainly return.

QUOTE (Arista @ Jun 7 2005, 10:08 AM)

Night owls, however, should note that the last PATH train leaves Manhattan at 11:40 (midnight on Saturdays), so if you're planning on staying out late, Jersey City may not be for you.

Nice review, but a quick correction...

PATH runs 24/7.