Hotwire Hotel: 2* Newark (Ft Lee-Hackensack) Courtesy Inn

[dahammer]

I had 25 hot dollars set to expire soon, so I had to use them or loose them. I saw what appeared to be the 2.5* LaQuinta in Clifton for $73, but I wanted to be closer to the Ft. Lee area and there was a 2* available for $79 with Breakfast, Laundry, HS Internet amenities. How bad could this be, I thought.....

Courtesy Inn Fort Lee

2167 Route 4 E

Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

1 room(s) @ $79.00

Tax recovery charge and fees $17.15

Total Price $96.15

Just after hitting the buy button, I realized that I forgot to put the 25 hot dollars towards the purchase, so a call to customer service at first was unsuccessful, so I asked for a supervisor and was told that they would issue a $25 credit within 7 days towards my credit card. A nice touch and kudos to HOTWIRE. I pulled into the parking lot, but the sign was "Courtesy Motel" and it looked strangely familiar when I realized that the exterior (and interior, as I later found out) was used for a memorable episode of the Sopranos involving Vito. At best, this is a 1* with outside entrances and a desk clerk behind bullet proof glass. I called HOTWIRE to complain and was told that the hotel was recently downgraded to a 1* and they would cancel the reservation or issue $96.15 in hot dollars. I didn't feel like going through the booking process again and possibly drive another half hour, so I kept the reservation. Besides, I had a great WiFi signal and the room was clean and I was close to Meson Madrid in Palisades Park for dinner.

Zero savings vs. a conventional booking @ $85 or $94.35 with taxes. Overall, I'm pleased with HOTWIRE's response, but I just wish HW management would be more accurate with its ratings. HW claims that a 2* economy hotel is a Comfort, LaQuinta, or Days Inn....this place is a motel.

[thereuare]

Thanks for sharing your purchase with the board and helping us add this property to the Hotwire Hotel List.

Glad to hear that HOTWIRE was proactive and handled this to your satisfaction, but it would have been better if it didn't happen at all.

I'm anxious to hear how the complimentary breakfast is in the morning :)

[dahammer]

the theme for the complimentary breakfast was "mini" as in danish, bagels and muffins including mini cups of coffee. :)