The Grand Summit Hotel

The building is beautiful, a 19th-century place in Summit NJ, and it’s very close to a small suburban town with shops and places to eat. But I found the hotel itself disappointing. The elevators are small, one wasn’t working, and the rooms feel small for the price. Breakfast was austere, too. When I tried to book a dinner table for two, the receptionist couldn’t say when one might be available. They never texted back to confirm or cancel our request. The whole place came across as pretentious and over the top. It’s a suburban hotel, not the Ritz. It feels like the focus is on food service, with little attention paid to guests. I wouldn’t pay more than $200 for it.

The place is beautiful, and the food and drinks were great. What really made the stay for us, though, was the people. Everyone was personable, helped with all our requests, and made us feel like friends. We loved it and couldn’t have picked a better place.

I stopped by for a drink at the bar on Christmas Eve and really enjoyed it. The lobby and bar are beautiful, and the staff were very friendly. I don’t know anything about the rooms. Drinks cost Manhattan prices, so for me it’s an occasional treat, but the place makes for a great trip back to the 1920s. Try a gin and tonic.

This bar is now my go-to for happy hour with my girlfriends. It’s spacious, elegantly decorated, and has a great atmosphere. The menu works well for sharing when you’re feeling peckish. The staff are what make it stand out. Thomas or Merab greets you with a warm smile as soon as you arrive in the lobby, and both are professional and attentive. Ask Merab to take a group photo, he’s the best. Jon is especially knowledgeable behind the bar and mixes a great cocktail. If you want to unwind and meet great people, this is the place.