There are not many places to stay in this area that cost well under $100. This is one of them, but it is easy to see why.
Despite my poor review, I have stayed there several times over the past few years. I have regular work in the area. Many of my preferred hotels often get booked up and I cannot get a room. This is my hotel of last resort.
The building is an older two story style motel, where you check in up front, then drive your care around back to get to your room. There is no view and you will want to keep your curtains closed.
For many years the hotel has been run down and in bad shape. However, as I write this in late 2011, the hotel is in the process of being renovated. It appears the outside is still under construction, but my room had all new furniture and a nice new flat screen TV, so that was a nice bonus. I also had a mini-fridge and microwave in my room, which was nice too. The room seemed relatively clean for a cheap hotel.
Unfortunately, I suspect the renovations are not going well. Upon taking a shower in the morning, I put my towel on the shower curtain rack, only to have the entire rack fall down on my head.
Also unfortunate was the hotel's response. When checking out, I mentioned the incident and suggested that they would need to have that fixed. The clerk (who had been sitting in the lobby watching TV when I walked in) simply noted something on a piece of paper and continued the check out. A simple "I'm sorry" would have been nice.
The hotel also claims to make available breakfast. However, that seems to consist of a box of muffins, some cold cereal, and milk and juice (and they were out of juice). Despite what you may be told, don't plan on eating breakfast there.
The room is along Route 22, which is a busy commercial highway. Fortunately, the hotel is set back far enough that I was not bothered by traffic. There are a number of decent places to eat within a few miles, including several Chinese restaurants and an Outback. There is also plenty of fast food places.
My bottom line: if you are looking for a really cheap place and this a convenient location, you might give it a try. But don't expect much. If you can afford somewhere else in the area, it is probably worth it.
- Howard Johnson North Plainfield
- North Plainfield Howard Johnson
