DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Airport

The water in my room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newark Airport smelled strongly musty and mold-like from both the hot and cold taps, in the sink and shower. It was noticeable from several feet away as soon as the water ran, and unpleasant enough to make using either uncomfortable. I took a cup of water into another room to check whether the smell was just the drain. Up close, the water itself still had a mild stagnant, musty odor, though it wasn't as overpowering as it was coming from the tap. This didn't smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. It was more like water that had been sitting in a bottle for days. I can't say whether the problem was limited to my room or affected the whole building, but it suggests a plumbing or maintenance issue and raises concerns about sanitation and upkeep. That's not what guests expect from a Hilton-branded property. I'd urge management to investigate the plumbing and make sure the guest rooms are properly maintained.

I've stayed here many times after missed United connections, and it's a solid hotel near the airport. The rooms are a little dated, with older TVs, but they've been clean whenever I've been there. I like the inside balconies, a cool feature you don't see in many places, and the staff have always been kind and helpful in my experience. Lyle at the front desk did a great job tonight. Breakfast is good, though it isn't included unless you have the Diamond food credit. And the free warm cookies are always a nice Doubletree touch!

The beautiful lobby couldn't make up for the dated rooms or the terrible stay. Parking was awful, with almost no spaces, and having to go in and out was a nightmare. The shower had rust along the bottom, and we had cold water all weekend. On Saturday night, we couldn't turn the shower off. Nobody answered when we called, so we went down to the front desk and they sent maintenance up soon after. The maintenance person was extremely rude. He yelled something at us about the shower handle when he came in, with only me and my 12-year-old daughter there, then stormed out and slammed the door after fixing it. It was a jarring, uncomfortable moment. We won't be coming back.

The location was convenient for what we needed, and the front desk staff were polite. But the room was disgusting. There were stains on the carpet, walls, and curtains, mold or mildew in the shower, and toe nail clippings on the carpet. We couldn't control the room temperature, and the balcony railing wobbled badly and had dust built up at the base. I wouldn't have booked if I'd known. We paid over $200 with parking, which alone cost $27 for a basic lot with no active security. The hotel clearly says it isn't responsible for anything that happens, so I don't see the point of that charge. I'd rather pay half as much for the same quality. My husband ordered a drink at the bar just now, and the bartender made the wrong one. That cost another $10. Never again.