We had an overnight on our trip back thanks to a routing via the East Coast of the United States. With Star Alliance occupying most of the territory in Newark, we ended up overnighting in New Jersey for a brief 10 hours. We ended up at the Marriott Hotel located at Newark international Airport. While it wasn’t an exotic experience, it was pretty straightforward and the most convenient option available.

Review: Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey, United States

“The tried and true Marriott hotel that is closest to the Newark Liberty International Airport”

Booking and Getting There:

Our trip had a lay over between our Liberia – Newark and Newark – Vancouver flights. This involved us staying over in Newark overnight at our own expense. As a result, we looked for somewhere close to stay. We ended up at the closest hotel at the Newark Liberty International Airport – the Newark Liberty International Marriott.

We booked direct on the Marriott Website. Being a Sunday night, we had a bargain basement rate of $120 USD. AT the time, as part of the Marriott Readrs program, as a Marriott Silver Eilte, we were also offered a 20% Bonus on your Marriott Rewards base points, Priority Late Checkout and Guaranteed Room Type. I hadn’t been focusing much on Marriott hotels at the time but any benefits are better than no benefits.

The property is close enough to the airport that you can even see it from the aircraft on arrival from the apron.

Arriving to the Property:

We collected our bags and located the free shuttle to the Marriott Hotel. Altought the property is situated in the middle of the three Terminals, it is not walkable from the arrivals hall and shuttle bus stops (despite appearing to be so). Ring roads with guard rails surround the property making passage difficult with large suitcases.

The Room: Concierge Level, Two Doubles

On check in as a Marriott Rewards Silver Elite, we were upgraded to a Deluxe View room on the Top floor corner. We were offered use of the Concierge Lounge, but it was closed during the duration of our short stay. 

I’d have to say that this was one of the tiniest rooms that I’ve had in North America in quite some time. At 300sqft / 27 sqm, it seemed tiny for the three of us.

The room also offers a small desk area. It was just large enough for a laptop and a few small papers. It was small enough that I couldn’t imagine doing big projects at it. It shared the cove maker and other promotional materials as well.

The room had a modernized bathroom. Since an older property, the bathroom was a small compact variety that had been modernized.

MrsWT73 considered the hotel “a dump” although it was much better than a shuttle to an off airport property as we only had an 10 hour layover. It was obvious that this was an older property with smaller rooms that been refurbished and had been re-configured. Despite being a dump, it was much nicer than the dismal and dark Fairfield Inn at SEA-TAC where I’ve stayed with Marriott in the past. I was at least happy earning 2 miles per dollar under the previous Marriott Rewards program with a Marriott property versus the 1 mile per dollar that I get with the Fairfield Inn.

We had a quick and efficient sleep here before we were due back at Newark Terminal A in 8 hours.

Overall:

Our stay at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott was more convenient than luxurious. This property was one of the older Marriott properties with smaller rooms and older upgraded bathrooms. Despite this, the property met our expectations for a short stay. They offered us a complimentary upgrade and lounge access. It was also a benefit to be earning top tier rates with the Marriott Reward program, instead of discounted rates as some of their lower brand properties.

---