Element by Marriott New York Wood-Ridge

We picked this hotel because our wedding venue was within walking distance, and it was a beautiful place. It was clean and organized, with breakfast and free parking, so it covered what we needed. They said they were very busy due to the airport, which left us feeling like our business didn’t count for much. We weren’t expecting anything complimentary as newlyweds, but some places make you feel a little special on your wedding day. That didn’t happen here. Service was professional, though not particularly welcoming, and felt like business as usual. A manager we spoke to before check-in to ease my wedding anxiety did smile and was somewhat kind, which made us feel a bit more important. The front desk woman, though, made us feel like our questions were a bother. They didn’t actually do anything wrong, and it’s an efficient, nice option if you want convenience and amenities. It just didn’t feel warm, personal, or homey. I’m sure a review like this won’t matter much to them. Four rooms for two nights probably isn’t much business to them, and they can survive without it. But, well, they got our business either way.

The breakfast chef was friendly and seemed like he could teach the rest of the staff about customer service. I liked the breakfast choices, and the room worked fine for my two-night birthday weekend, though one table had stains. It was convenient to be fairly close to American Dream Mall for shopping. Check-in was a rough start. I said hello to the front desk staff and got no response, and the evening desk woman kept her head down to avoid greeting us. That felt rude. Nobody explained the continental breakfast hours or the extra security deposit. I only looked into it myself after seeing a pending $250 charge on my card. That information should be shared in advance, since it wasn't reflected anywhere. For the price and a Marriott chain hotel, I expected better front desk service.

I booked a suite expecting a nicer stay and breakfast included, but I'm really disappointed. The roof is leaking and dripping, and the front desk clerk couldn't seem to care less. Breakfast was just eggs, with no bacon or sausage for my kids, and only fake chemical stuff for coffee creamer. My kids don't like eggs, and one of them ended up sleeping on the kitchen floor. The room looks pretty at first, but I had to clean hairs out of the shower. The sofa bed was the worst I've encountered in a hotel. To open it, we had to move all the living room furniture into the hall, and then it reached the opposite wall so the second child couldn't even get out. The springs were sticking out, it wasn't made up, and the blankets were extremely thin and poor quality. We are staying here, but I'd rather leave.

The modern rooms were nice, and the location worked great for Teterboro Airport. Raven's outstanding service made the stay perfect. Thanks again.