Howard Johnson Hotel by Wyndham Newark Airport

Like most airport hotels in Newark, the Howard Johnson sees a lot of comings and goings. Everyone from flight attendants and business people, to young adults and families, drifts in and out of the lobby arriving from the airport, or catching the next shuttle out. It’s busy, but quiet, except for the frequent sound of airplanes landing. The Howard Johnson's lobby decor is certainly nothing to write home about. Between the gray and white checkered linoleum floor that looks like it belongs in a school cafeteria, the woefully out of place chandelier, the faux brick wall finishes, and the neon light-up water feature, nothing about the room screams "tasteful interior design." And, unfortunately, thanks to the constant opening and closing of the front doors, smoke from the hotel’s designated outdoor smoking area continuously wafts into the lobby and seems to permeate through the entire building -- creating an "it's ugly and it smells" effect.    

Sitting between I-78 and I-95, the Howard Johnson Hotel -- Newark Airport, as its name implies, is located just north of Newark Airport (about a six-minute drive). Though the hotel is only 12 miles from New York City, it can easily take an hour to drive there in traffic. The immediate area surrounding the hotel is gritty and run down, and besides some off-site parking lots and other airport hotels, there’s not much around. Parking at the Howard Johnson can be a bit confusing, considering guests have to drive through an unaffiliated lot to reach the hotel. Upon arrival, guests are issued a ticket warning them to lock their cars, as parking at the hotel is no safer than parking on the streets.

Rooms at the Howard Johnson offer a bed to sleep in and a TV to watch, but that’s about it. Dark greens and browns seem to be the prevailing color tones, though thanks to some mismatched furniture and artwork, guests can find any array of reds, blues, and even shades of orange, depending on their room. The furniture is cheap and well worn, including the mud brown, zero thread-count bedding. All of the rooms have ample work space, but in most, the desk is poorly lit and outlets are scarce. Generally, rooms appear to be clean, besides a stray strand of hair here and there or the occasional grime-y microwave. Walls are paper thin, and many feature some sort of mystery stains near the ceiling. Bathrooms are tiny, but have plenty of towels, a wall-mounted hairdryer, and basic toiletries.    

As an airport hotel, the Howard Johnson’s free, frequently running airport shuttle has to be its best feature. It runs every 30 minutes, so there's no need to make a reservation or worry about overcrowding. Those headed to Manhattan can charter a shuttle from the hotel for a fee -- times and prices are determined on premises. For a hotel of this caliber, the gym is decently sized and well equipped with a couple of treadmills, stationary bikes, and a weight machine -- the fact that it even exists is a bonus at this price point. Just off the lobby, there is a small gift shop/ convenience store that sells snacks, toiletries, and souvenirs...just in case you forgot to purchase an I <3 New York shirt while visiting Manhattan. There is an on-site cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but don't expect to find a ton of variety on the menu. There is also a small laundry room with four coin-operated machines. Business travelers should be warned that the hotel’s “business center” is little more than a computer in the lobby that guests can use for a whole 15 minutes at a time. However, there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel for those who have brought their laptops and mobile devices along.