Hotwire Hotel: 3* Newark (Secaucus-Meadowlands) Hyatt Place

[clarkie_16]

Hi everyone,

After much lurking, this is my first post :)

A friend and I are planning a trip to NYC June 30 - July 5. She'll be flying into Newark while I'll be driving down from Ottawa.

I'd been eyeing the 3.5* I've figured is the Sheraton Meadowlands (because of the golf amenity) which was $66 for the last few days and is now up to $73. Not a big deal, but it got me starting to check out other options and trying to figure out what's best for us as we'll be going into the city each day. I know Jersey City is the ideal location but I don't really want to pay twice as much for the room as well as $30+ for parking. In the past I've trekked to the city from Poughkeepsie, so this trip won't be too bad.

So, now I come up with a 3* in Secaucus-Meadowlands listing only three amenities:

fitness

business center

internet

I thought it might be the Holiday Inn Harmon Meadow, which people seem to like, but every post I've seen for that one has mentioned 'restaurant' as an amenity.

Can anyone ID this property for me? Or should I stick with the Sheraton? Or is there somewhere else we should consider staying for a comparable price with good access to the city?

Thanks in advance!

[thereuare]

If you're interested in the Holiday Inn change your search to 4adults/0children and a 'new' 3* hotel will appear in the zone for the same price (or a few dollars difference) with Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business which is believed to be the Holiday Inn Harmon Meadow. The 2adults search without the restaurant icon may be the Holiday Inn as well with a 'missing' restaurant icon, but if you're trying for this property, purchasing as 4adults with the restaurant icon would be the 'safer' way to go since this is how the property has been seen previously.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[clarkie_16]

Thanks for the quick response! You're right...when you search with 4 adults a 3* with the same amenities (and review rating) comes up with the restaurant icon for only $6 more. Probably worth the money to ensure seperate beds.

In your opinion, which would be the better location for travelling into the city if this is indeed the Holiday Inn and the 3.5* I see is the Sheraton Meadowlands? We probably won't be coming back from the city super late but also don't want to feel too trapped by transit schedules. I'm starting to sound picky :)

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. As mentioned in my first post, I've travelled into the city a couple of times from the North but this will be my first time staying in NJ so I'm not too familiar except for what I've learned from different boards like this.

[thereuare]

If commuting in by mass transit, the Holiday Inn would be the better choice, imo... there is a bus which you can walk to from the Holiday Inn (just a block or two) whereas the Sheraton would require relying on their scheduled (ie- not 'on demand') shuttle service to the train station.

As well, since you have a car, if there was a need once/twice you could always drive to the Park N Ride or PATH station and commute in that way if you think you would be returning after scheduled bus services stops.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[clarkie_16]

Thanks again for all of your help! Sounds like the Holiday Inn is the better choice for us. I'll definitely use the links from the site and let you know how I make out.

[dahammer]

In your opinion, which would be the better location for travelling into the city if this is indeed the Holiday Inn and the 3.5* I see is the Sheraton Meadowlands? We probably won't be coming back from the city super late but also don't want to feel too trapped by transit schedules. I'm starting to sound picky :)

I have stayed at both and for visiting the city, I would choose the Holiday Inn over the Sheraton. As thereuare mentions, the NJ Transit #320 bus is steps away from the Holiday Inn so the trip into the city is less than a half hour and frequency of service is very good. Also, the Holiday Inn is located in the Mill Creek mixed use development with several dining options, albeit all chain restaurants. There is a WalMart and Sam's Club nearby for provisions as well as a Kohl's and Marshalls.

The Sheraton is a nice property, but its somewhat isolated and you will have to drive where ever you'd like to go or use the hotel shuttle which gets very mixed reviews.

[clarkie_16]

Sorry for the huge delay in closing up this topic. I had a hard time getting my travelling companion to make a decision : )

In the end I waited too long to get the Holiday Inn for the great price I'd quoted earlier but instead ended up with the 3* Hyatt Place Secaucus/Meadowlands. I'm actually really happy about getting this property instead as the rooms look bigger, and there's breakfast and free wifi included. Not to mention every review I read said the parking was easier here.

I used the HOTWIRE link from Betterbidding.

Searched for 3 adults, June 30-July 5

Amenities:

Smoke Free Rooms

Complimentary Breakfast

Fitness Center

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Got it for $89/night.

5 nights x $89

Taxes and fees =$72.12

Total =$517.12

Thanks again for all the help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you found something which works well for your plans and that you're happy with the results.

It's easy to catch the bus from this location, there are a few lesser known chain restaurants nearby, easy access for the bus to NYC, and a Wal-Mart to buy some chips, soda, drinks, etc to keep in the room.

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.