DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Penn Station

A quiet room, fresh breakfast, and genuinely friendly service made for a comfortable stay. Check-in was quick and smooth, and the room was spotless. The street outside was calm, so we slept well. For what it costs, it’s hard to beat, and I’d gladly come back.

I booked four nights, but if I’d arrived earlier in the day, I wouldn’t have stayed at all. I’d specifically asked for a quiet room and ended up at the front of the building facing the street and train station. Sirens went off all night, and sleeping was nearly impossible. The room felt neglected too. The shower had no soap products and visible mold, paint was chipped and peeling in several places, and the towels smelled musty. Parking was another frustration. The signs made it sound as though buying through the hotel would get a discounted $60 nightly rate, while paying directly would have been just $35. One of the worst hotel stays I’ve had. I can’t see myself returning or recommending it.

The rooms are pretty basic, with nothing fancy, and renovations seem to be underway, so don’t expect glamour. Still, ours was standard and clean. Breakfast the next morning was very good, around $28 per person plus tip. With the snow and cold, staying in for breakfast was worth it. They even cooked fresh over-medium eggs at no extra cost. Validating the parking ticket was easy and saved us about $75 for the overnight stay. The hotel is right at the station, in a congested part of North Jersey. The garage connects to the hotel by a route involving stairs, a covered outdoor walk, then the main entrance and escalator to the lobby. App check-in and checkout and the digital key were easy to use, and they handed us warm cookies. Staff were friendly and helpful. We had a drink at the hotel bar and restaurant, which was fine, though nothing special. We walked to dinner at Swahili Village, then went across the street to NJPAC. After the show we stopped at Bello's Pub and Grill, Newark's First Gastropub, and had a great time. The walk back felt easy, with enough lights and people around that we weren’t nervous. There were plenty of Lyfts and Ubers too. I’d stay again.

The staff were polite, kind, and helpful, and the chocolate chip cookies were a treat. The lobby bar and lounge was a nice touch. It’s a beautiful hotel just across the street from the train station. Loved it 🙌