Extended Stay America - Secaucus - New York City A

We cut our planned 19-day stay down to two nights and paid $450 before moving hotels. That’s a lot for a place that felt like no bargain at all. The door locked, it was warm, and we could shower, but beyond that I wouldn’t cheap out here. A Marriott or something similar costs a few hundred more and would probably save you from hating every minute. The room was old and run down from the moment we opened the door, and my wife cried. The couch had a huge rip, supposedly clean towels had long black hairs, there was a black hair stuck on the microwave door, and a cockroach was running around the stove. The trash room was gross too. We left garbage Saturday morning and it was still there when we got out Sunday. The building’s outside and location can fool you. The whole property needs renovation. We didn’t bother complaining because there were so many problems that I’m sure ownership knows what they’re dealing with. If all you need is a roof over your head to save money, maybe it’ll do, but I can’t see the value.

The key problems for us were cockroaches, repeated fire alarms, and room keys that kept failing. We saw roaches in our room and in the hallways, and I took photos. I live in Florida and now worry we may have carried some home in our luggage or car. The alarms went off about three or four times, each time making everyone evacuate, though there was no actual fire. Both of our keys stopped working more than once, leaving us locked out while we were away from home with nowhere else to go. Basic supplies were another issue. We were told toilet paper would last for our stay, but when I asked for more, the front desk had run out and gave us facial tissues instead. I was there with my younger siblings, and that was shocking. The manager apologized, and the regional office eventually offered a refund for two nights. For an eight-night stay with problems affecting comfort, safety, and peace of mind the whole time, that didn’t feel adequate. I wouldn’t recommend this place, especially to families or people staying long term. Extended Stay properties should meet basic standards for cleanliness, safety, and reliability, and this one fell well short.

We had four people on a business trip and found it easy to relax after long workdays. The rooms were spacious and clean, the beds comfortable, and it was quiet. Having a kitchenette was useful for quick meals and morning coffee. Parking was simple, and we felt safe on the property. The location made things easier too. Restaurants, shops, and grocery stores were close by, and getting transportation into New York City for our event was convenient without having to stay in the middle of the city. Staff were welcoming from check-in onward, professional, and quick to help with questions or requests. It was a smooth, stress-free stay, and we’d gladly return for another work trip or a group visit.

A black machine had been left running in our room when we checked in, and it turned out to be an ozone generator. I didn’t know what it was and put my face in front of it. The air coming out seemed to be causing that strong smell. I started coughing and left the room, then kept coughing for about 25 minutes. We slept with the windows open all night. Why leave a machine like that in a room that people were checking into that same day? That night we asked the front desk about the smell, but the person there couldn’t explain it and told us to ask again in the morning. He was sleeping in the back, with nobody at the front. Around 8:40 the next morning, the desk called asking about a “black machine.” They said it had been left there and the room wasn’t supposed to be checked out with the generator inside. Later a woman came to retrieve it. My mom was upset and told her we hadn’t slept and could have died because of the generator. The staff member kept insisting on getting it back and didn’t apologize at all. When I first entered, I thought the smell was Clorox and took a big breath because I wondered why it wasn’t going away. I had to open the window, then started coughing. They upgraded our rooms afterward, but that didn’t undo our exposure. This hotel showed no empathy. The service was horrible. If you do reserve here, open the windows right away, whatever the reason for that smell.