djo53

Warmwinds had good comments about the Newark airport hotels. You have to understand that Newark is not a vacation destination and the hotels reflect that.

 

I also stayed at this hotel a number of years ago when it was a Sheraton. It was fine for its purpose at that time, but I can certainly understand that it is now more run down if it has not been updated. I know this is no consolation, but there are many less desirable properties at the airport.

 

What is the exact date you would be staying? If you have the opportunity to get rid of this hotel and don't mind spending more money, you might want to look at the hotels in the Jersey City Newport area - Courtyard, Candlewood Suites, Doubletree, Westin, and Hyatt. These hotels can be more expensive, but often have good weekend deals or appear on Hotwire as a 4* Jersey City hotel. It will cost you an extra cab fare of $46 plus tip to get to these hotels, but the area is more upscale with shopping at real stores (Macy's, Penneys, etc) in the Newport Mall and restaurants. It would be a similar cab fare to go to the port, but there is also an easy public transit option from this area.

 

I recently spent three nights at the Courtyard in Jersey City with my family and would recommend it without hesitation. It was across the street from the mall and next door to the Newport Path station for easy quick access to midtown or downtown NYC. We were close to the Hudson River and had a partial view of the Freedom tower (with a parking garage in the foreground). Even if you don't want to go into NYC, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from the promenade/boardwalks along the waterfront.

Thanks, that's very useful

We have pre booked our time slots on line for 3 cruises (On Solstice, Silhouette and Eclipse) and I can only recall one occasion when we had to wait for our table for 2 and that was on a formal night. We have also walked in ahead of people standing in line who have presumably not pre booked. I hope this helps with your question. You should have no problem changing a booking.

We are really looking forward to our Canada and New England Cruise next year on Summit. However the only downside is that Celebrity has booked us into the Hilton Doubletree Newark for the overnight pre cruise stay (we are flying in from the UK) and I was disappointed to read the Trip Advisor reviews for this hotel; a significant proportion of which are frankly awful!!! It is the same story on Expedia and Yelp. Celebrity is not willing to change the hotel and I am surprised that a cruise line that places itself at the luxury end of the market would even consider putting its guests in a hotel such as this appears to be.

Does anyone have any recent experience of this hotel please?

This really should have stayed on the Celebrity board, so that you could get advice from Celebrity cruisers. However, it was moved over here. :rolleyes:

 

I would call Celebrity and see if there is another, better option. If not, see if you can get a refund and book your own hotel. ;) But as warmwinds said, it is only for one night.

Thanks for your post, your input is appreciated. I agree I need advice from Celebrity cruisers who have done this trip, I'll think about how I can do that. I did speak to Celebrity and they did offer another hotel but the reviews are not much better than for the Doubletree and Celebrity want us to pay £83 pp extra! As for getting our money back and booking our own hotel, that would seem to be the best option, however, Celebrity seem to be saying that the overnight pre cruise stay is complimentary (which is news to me) and is akin to saying 'no money back' I think this one is going to run and run! Thanks once again.

The food at the Hilton bar/restaurant was pretty good (we just had burgers/sandwiches, but they had everything from pasta to full entrees).

 

The trick is making sure you are at a full-service hotel - while places like Hampton Inns, Residence Inns, etc. are usually less expensive and have free breakfasts, they usually do not have restaurants that serve evening meals. You can also take a taxi to a restaurant, or the hotel shuttle back to the airport to eat (ugh, although the food at Phillips seafood was not bad).

 

Since I expect all EWR airport hotels to be marginal at best, I just pick price/who I get points with.

 

And getting to EWR airport hotels is sort of a pain - you have to take the Air Train to the designated shuttle pick-up spot, then wait for your hotel's shuttle. Only exception to this is the full-service Marriott which is right on hotel grounds, and has a shuttle that picks you up right outside baggage claim.

 

And then you still have to arrange transportation to Bayonne the next morning.

 

If the price is right, I'd be just as happy to stay at the Doubletree and have X arrange all the transfers.

Thanks for both of your posts Warmwinds, your input is much appreciated. We still don't fancy staying at this hotel though, reviews on Expedia and Yelp are just as damming as those on Trip Advisor. We'll have to consider our options. Thanks once again

Thanks for your reply

Hi Everyone

Next year I'm booked on a Celebrity Cruise out of Port Liberty, New Jersey. Celebrity has booked us into the Hilton Doubletree Newark for the overnight pre cruise stay (we are flying from the UK) and I was disappointed to read the Trip Advisor reviews for this hotel; a significant number of them are frankly awful!! Celebrity is not willing to change the hotel and I am surprised that a cruise line that places itself at the luxury end of the market would even consider putting its guests in a hotel such as this would appear to be. Does anyone have any experience of this hotel please. Any comments would also be welcome.