NJ Somerset Marriott

[7continentKaren]

BIG ADVICE: Use Mapquest for finding this hotel, not a AAA map. It is nowhere near what is called Somerset on the AAA map. It is right off 287 out of Staten Island, exit 10 Easton Road (Av?). And has the most cockamamy interchange we have ever seen. Beware, go slowly, and keep your eyes on the signs.

We just stayed two nights at the Marriott for $33 each night (Thurs and Fri). Could not get the price mid-week. After staying two nights in Staybridge and two in Marriott just down the street from each other, I would pick Staybridge even if the price is $45. You do not get breakfast at the Marriott, nor free internet. We bought breakfast one morning at McDonald's en route to New Brunswick and another at the Diner next door to McDonald's. Very ample food at the diner. There is a supermarket across the street where we bought lobster rolls one day. The room was fine and the bed comfortable with a duvet (we are not duvet people). They brought us a light blanket. It was obvious that this hotel had been built around 1970. It has one of the few outdoor pools in NJ which is why I picked it. No pool towels that we could spot. Unfortunately, the chaises. chairs and tables outside the room (first floor) and the around the pool had not been cleaned by anyone so we had to do it ourselves. Nice shampoos, etc. of a brand I had never heard of. The menu was uninspired at the restaurant. Ruby Tues is down the street and there are a few restaurants on the road to New Brunswick (Easton).

There was a fire at the hotel in the bedding material for the plants near one of the entrances. Apparently, folks like to pitch their live cigarettes into the plants thinking that is OK. Some of the material is peat and it ignites. Added a little excitement to our otherwise dull Friday night. Happens all the time, they said. We smelled the smoke earlier in the day but could see no sign of a fire. It was reported but no one could find any flames. When we arrived at the hotel around 10 PM, a fire truck preceded us on the road. I bet my husband it was coming to the Marriott and it did! The only reason they caught it was that someone had left the door open and the smoke triggered the alarms in the hall. I called the desk because the fire dept was near the lobby so they sent the truck to our entrance and smothered the fire with water. This will be a non-smoking hotel on Oct 15 but that won't stop the smokers from ditching their cigarettes outside the door. The fire dept told the maintenance man to tear out the mulch and put in rock. Watch and wait.