Our experience with the Best Western Plus Newark Airport started positively a week before our trip. I needed to check and see if we could book a government rate on leisure travel and left a message with the hotel manager. I had hoped to get a call back from a front desk clerk. Instead I heard from General Manager Mihir Joshi who approved our government rate, checked to see if we needed anything special, gave great instructions about using the shuttle and he even threw in a complimentary upgrade. We never expected so much hands on attention from a hotel general manager.....thanks Mr. Joshi!
Our room was very clean and well appointed. The high end mattresses were a touch soft for our tastes, but still very comfortable. The huge flat screen TV featured Direct TV and had free HBO and Cinemax. The hotel....even in guest rooms.....has a type of vinyl plank flooring that is much cleaner than carpet and more cushioned to walk on (great after touring NYC). Starbucks coffee was supplied in the bathroom coffee maker. The shower was endlessly hot and had nice water pressure. Others have mentioned the backwards bathtubs and we had one....probably had to do with the plumbing setup when the building became a hotel. It did not bother us a bit.
We got free chocolate chip cookies at check in and the front desk clerk said that our boarding passes were free to have printed at the front desk upon emailing the passes to her.....worked just fine. We also learned that breakfast would be served from 7 am -10 am......a little late for the folks wanting to get into New York City early for business or touring. Consequently, the breakfast area was very busy around 7 am and became easier to navigate around 7:45 a.m.
The hot buffet breakfast was delicious and real glass bowls and plates were used...nice. They had an active table busser picking up dishes and a couple of staff replenishing the food. Scrambled egg patties, sausage, waffles, French toast sticks, boiled eggs, numerous breads and pastries, cereals and packaged oatmeal along with yogurt were served. To drink, juices, coffee, hot tea and milk. The best dish, in my opinion, were the scrambled eggs were cooked in a muffin shape and had garden vegetables cooked into the top.....really good and tasted fresh. We were very satisfied with the breakfast which we estimate saved us about $12 each from eating elsewhere.
The shuttle was the star of the show for us. It took about 5 minutes to get to the airport and about 9 minutes to get back. You will find that driving in the area is an endless series of loops and adjacent highways.....we were glad we were not driving. The shuttle picks up at the P-4 Station at the airport and you need to call the front desk and request shuttle service. The hotel staff is great about letting you store your luggage in the lobby closet so you can tour hands free in NYC. It made our day much easier to be hands free. We did not take the shuttle to Penn Station.....but it does pick up from NJ Penn Station in the evening and will drop you off there in the morning once an hour.....another money saver if NYC is your destination.
Other reviewers are correct about the hotel being a little isolated. I am not sure what the restaurant situation is in the hotel, but there is really no shopping or food in easy walking distance. Our hint to pass on is to order pizza, Chinese takeout or to use the many delivery apps to get whatever you like delivered straight to your hotel room. If you want to tour New York City, this Best Western is an affordable and more convenient than you would expect option.
The free Wi-Fi worked great and the shuttle drivers worked through some really tough weather conditions. Be sure to signed up for the shuttle the night before you need it to guarantee your spot. The airport shuttle leaves every half hour and fills up. We would certainly stay here again and would recommend the hotel to anyone. less