Element by Marriott Harrison - Newark

I often stay with Marriott but had never tried an Element before. The room surprised me in a good way, it was spacious and had a modern feel. The property seems fairly new, or at least well maintained, and the staff helped whenever we needed something. There are plenty of good food options nearby, and the restaurant prices were fair. It’s also close to public transit, as well as the shuttle. I’d recommend it over the hotels closer to the airport.

For a New York trip where you’d rather not stay in Manhattan, this is a convenient option. The hotel is across the river, and rates can be less than half the Manhattan price, sometimes around 25% of it. The PATH train is across the street and goes straight into NYC. There are places to eat and a liquor store on the same road. Breakfast here is better than the typical free continental spread. I’d stay here again if I wanted to visit NYC without lodging in the city.

I’ve been a Marriott member for 25 years and am Lifetime Platinum Elite, and this may be the best overall Marriott stay I’ve had. Every staff member we met was kind and helpful, and the room, lobby, restaurant, breakfast, and airport shuttle all made the experience feel perfect. My family and I stayed one night a couple of weeks ago, choosing this place for its proximity to the PATH line for our planned trip into NYC. I expected something like a Fairfield Inn, but the experience was far better than I imagined. Thank you!

My wife and I were on the property for under 30 minutes. The first room we were assigned was uncomfortably cold, so we told the front desk clerk and were moved to a second room, which had the same problem. We said we’d need to find somewhere else to stay. We didn’t use the bed, unpack, or use any facilities. Even so, the hotel charged my card and has refused to refund me. Management also denied any future compensation. I feel I was treated unfairly and taken advantage of. The conditions weren’t within our control, and a refund seemed reasonable. The whole thing was extremely frustrating and disappointing.