Crowne Plaza Saddle Brook by IHG

I got there around 10 pm on Sunday during an 18-inch record snowstorm, and the restaurant was still open until 11. The wings and fries were a 10/10, and Eddie made a perfect martini. They kept plowing through the night, so getting out was easy. They did a great job despite the weather.

The free parking was the one plus. The hotel and room were pretty average, and it was disappointing that the restaurant had closed early on a Friday night. My bigger issue is the $100 security deposit. At check-in, I was told it would be refunded automatically after checkout once the room was cleared. Two weeks passed with no refund, so I called. They said their system had somehow “kept” the money, and the front desk manually released it. I was told it could then take another week or two. I stayed on New Year's Eve, and it's nearly February now, but I still haven't received it. I've called three times and each time they've told me to keep waiting. It sounds to me like they were hoping I wouldn't notice the deposit hadn't come back. I've never had this happen at another hotel. At the Watt Hotel in Rahway NJ, I got my deposit back a few hours after checkout. This has been really disappointing.

The bed was comfortable and the heat worked well, so I got the sleep I needed and would stay again. Still, this is the first hotel room I've had without a mini fridge or microwave. The bed had some stains and looked a bit dirty, though not soiled, and the TV was on the small side. The restaurant seemed too expensive, so I ordered takeaway instead.

The lobby had a constant, strong smell of cleaning solution, which was the one drawback. Otherwise, we were really satisfied. The room was clean and cozy, with soft, comfortable bedding that made for a great night's sleep. Staff were attentive and friendly, and Danny was especially supportive. There were lots of restaurants nearby, within driving distance.