Our flight arrived from Toronto at around 5:30PM, and we were connecting to Tel Aviv the next day at 1:15PM. I had a lot of work to do between those flights and also wanted to arrive at Newark early the next day, so we decided to stay near the airport so we could get lots of rest in anticipation of our time in Israel, which I knew would be active.
While I’m usually a Hyatt and Starwood loyalist, neither brand has an especially compelling property near Newark Airport. However, the Marriott Newark Airport seemed like a great option, and fortunately I have Marriott Platinum thanks to the status matching opportunity between Starwood and Marriott.
The rate for our one night stay was roughly $150. This is a Category 7 Marriott Rewards property, meaning that a free night would have cost 35,000 points (which I value at 0.8 cents each), so paying cash was the better value.
Upon arrival at Terminal B we proceeded to the outside roadway, and specifically to zone five, which is for shared ride services. This is where the shuttles to the Marriott and off-airport parking facilities depart from. The Marriott shuttle runs approximately every 15 minutes.
Marriott Newark Airport shuttle pick-up
While we were standing there I realized just how close the Marriott is to the airport, as I hadn’t looked at it on a map. You could easily walk there, which I would have done if I were traveling alone.
Marriott Newark Airport from Terminal B
The shuttle ride to the Marriott took just a couple of minutes.
Marriott Newark Airport exterior
While the hotel has a fairly outdated exterior, the interior was recently renovated.
Marriott Newark Airport entrance
Marriott Newark Airport lobby
The lobby actually felt cozy, especially thanks to the fireplace towards the back of the lobby.
Marriott Newark Airport lobby
Marriott Newark Airport lobby
I also appreciated that they had several individual check-in podiums, which makes the check-in experience feel more personalized. Since we were staying on a Saturday night, the guy checking us in informed us that the executive lounge was closed, but that it would be open the following morning for breakfast, so we could eat there. We were also given the choice of bonus points or a $10 credit for the restaurant, and we selected the latter, since we knew we’d want to have dinner.
Marriott Newark Airport reception
Marriott Newark Airport Platinum credit
The elevators were located behind the fireplace, so we headed up to the ninth floor.
Marriott Newark Airport elevators
The hotel is in a “T” shape, and our room (#960) was about halfway down one of the hallways. With the exception of the popcorn ceiling, everything else about the hallway felt fresh.
Marriott Newark Airport hallway
Marriott Newark Airport room exterior
Marriott Newark Airport floorplan
Inside the entrance to our room was a closet to the right and the bathroom to the left.
Marriott Newark Airport room entryway
Marriott Newark Airport room closet
The room had two queen beds, and was beautiful for an airport hotel. Maybe my expectations are just too low, but this has to be one of the nicer room designs I’ve seen for a US airport hotel, and I thought the sky-themed wallpaper was especially appropriate.
Marriott Newark Airport room
Not only were the beds comfortable, but each bed had four pretty big pillows.
Marriott Newark Airport room
On the table between beds was the tip envelope for the housekeeper. I have no problems with Marriott’s current envelopes, and find them to be significantly less tacky than the ones they used to have.
Marriott Newark Airport housekeeping envelope
Opposite the beds was a multi-functional console that held the TV, could be used as a luggage rack, and also acted as a desk. I don’t love this design since I often put on my headphones and work while my mom wants to watch TV, but for an overnight at an airport hotel it’s perfectly fine.
Marriott Newark Airport room desk & TV
Underneath the desk were two small bottles of water and a coffee machine.
Marriott Newark Airport room water & coffee
In terms of the view, our room faced the airport in the distance.
Marriott Newark Airport room view
The bathroom was small but functional, and featured a sink, toilet, and shower/tub combo.
Marriott Newark Airport room toilet
Marriott Newark Airport room shower
Toiletries were from Thann, which I find to be perfectly agreeable.
Marriott Newark Airport toiletries
While all Marriott Rewards members receive complimentary basic internet, I got free high speed internet for being a Platinum member. This usually retails for $12.95-16.95 per day.
After settling in, my mom and I headed down to the hotel’s restaurant and bar, located off the lobby. It’s called Aviation Grill, and we sat in the bar area.
Marriott Newark Airport Aviation Grill
The menu read as follows:
More than anything my mom appreciated the $5 per glass of wine happy hour. To eat I had a caesar salad with shrimp, while my mom had a chicken noodle soup.
Marriott Newark Airport dinner — caesar salad with shrimp
Marriott Newark Airport dinner — chicken noodle soup
We got a good night of sleep, and then in the morning headed to the concierge lounge, which is located on the tenth floor, at around 7AM.
Marriott Newark Airport club lounge exterior
The lounge was small and nearly full, which I guess isn’t surprising given that just about everyone seems to be Marriott Gold or above nowadays.
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge
In addition to a handful of tables seating two people each, there were some communal tables and then also some long tables looking out over the windows.
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge
For a US property I thought the breakfast spread was quite good. There was fresh fruit (both whole and sliced), toast, bagels, croissants, muffins, pastries, hardboiled eggs, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, etc.
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast buffet
Then there were two hot dishes, including scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage.
In terms of drinks there was drip coffee, tea, juice, water, and soft drinks.
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge breakfast
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge juice
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge soft drinks
The one thing that really surprised me was that they had to-go containers. Every club lounge I’ve ever been to has a policy of only consuming food in the lounge. While I certainly appreciate the generosity of the feature, this policy is just plain dumb, since there’s always someone who has no self control.
Not only did the lady at the table next to us have a big breakfast, but then she asked the attendant if she could have a bag. She then filled several of the to-go containers with food, and then stacked handfuls of yogurt and whole fruit in the bag on top of that. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Marriott Newark Airport executive lounge to-go containers
We headed to the airport shortly after breakfast, though I quickly had a look at the gym, located off the lobby. It looked nice enough, and was empty.
Marriott Newark Airport gym
Marriott Newark Airport gym
There was also a business center just off the lobby.
Marriott Newark Airport business center
Marriott Newark Airport bottom line
As someone who has been loyal to Hyatt and Starwood for so many years, I’m enjoying exploring all of Marriott’s brands. I know an airport Marriott may not seem like much to review, though this was my first stay at a Marriott in the US in quite a while. Overall this was a significantly nicer airport hotel than I was expecting, with beautiful rooms and public facilities.
While I was a bit disappointed that the lounge was closed in the evening (though I guess I get it), the breakfast spread was quite good in the morning, and the to-go offering was bizarrely generous, and clearly abused by some. This hotel was definitely the right option for us for a quick overnight, as it allowed us to rest up before our week in Israel.
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