Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* Newark (Airport EWR) 8/17-8/19 $59

[Eric Y.]

Currently, hotwire has, presumably the DoubleTree in Newark for $59 per night. Would this be a cheap alternative to Manhattan? We have never been to NYC, but we have no qualms about public transportation. It looks as if we could catch a cab, or drive to the Newark Penn Station and catch the PATH to the World Trade Center in Manhattan.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'm local to the area and (imo) i strongly advise against it. (less strongly against since you'll have a car, but still not recommended)

If you drive to Newark Penn Station you'll have the additional charge of parking, it's not a "nice" area, and you'll be looking at well over an hour commute door-to-door (each way). As well, most visitors spend more time around midtown than the WTC area, so then you'll have additional commute time to ultimagely get where you're going.

It is cheap(er) than alternatives, so if you're on a very tight budget it's do-able, but it will also likely detract from the 'relaxing' aspect of your trip.

If you do go for this please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

If this is where you end up i'll also provide some other alternatives to Newark Penn Station.

[Eric Y.]

Okay, thanks for the information. However, you do mention something about having a car. If we do decide to go with this area, big if right now, would we be better off reserving a parking space in Manhattan and driving? Also budget is a concern considering my wife and I are graduate students. One last thing, what would we expect to pay for a 3* in Manhattan, for the same dates, any chance under $100 through an opaque site?

[thereuare]

I don't think there would be much of a chance at sub-$100 in Manhattan.

There is no need to reserve a parking space in Manhattan. Finding a lot isn't the hard part... it's just that they're expensive.

[Eric Y.]

After more consideration, I'm not completely convinced that we would be saving much traveling to Manhattan from Newark. What would you think about the Pod Hotel. It fits in our budget, (10-115) on a link found on this site. Still not 100% at the moment, but maybe leaning in that direction. Could you guide me toward that link, so I can help the site out if we decide to book.

Thanks,

Eric

[thereuare]

It was probably HERE but the 'problem' is that the private bath rooms are "on request'... only the shared bath rooms are 'available. (see the related link in our priceline faq regarding "on request" vs "available")

I'm past the stage of using a shared bath, so only recommend the private bathed rooms. Reports i have heard is that the hotel itself is basic but clean. It's been described as "youth hostel meets W Hotel". It's probably one of the best of the budget hotels in the city, but most of what i have heard comes from the rooms with a private bath.

[Eric Y.]

I think the plans for New York are out for now. We are going to wait until the winter. However, we may be going to DC (which we visit often) the same weekend listed in this thread.