Despite a few un-Marriott-like maintenance flaws, this offering remains the area leader, a better choice than the similar Parsippany Hilton 3 mi northwest.
While, overall, the hotel is in good shape, some of the furniture in the common areas could use freshening. On the flip side, service is very conscientious. While offering ample recreational facilities, extensive meeting space, fine accommodations and plenty of free parking, this hotel lacks the landscaped grounds of its competitor.
The atrium, with a sloping glass facade, houses a stylish lobby with tricolor marble floors and a sunken lounge. Smokers beware: This hotel is smoke-free zone, even in the accommodations.
Warm woods and courtyard views liven up the American grill, which serves all meals. The highlight for many guests is the convivial Irish pub that injects a bit of the Blarney Stone to the Garden State. A fine addition to the hotel, the latter also serves tasty fare from an a la carte menu at lunch and dinner.
The fitness room with cardio machines and weights supplements his-and-hers saunas, and the indoor-outdoor pool sports a terrace and a whirlpool. Corporate types flock to the upgraded business center, and meeting facilities, with more than a dozen function rooms, are the largest in the area. Parking is free. Travelers long on the road appreciate the laundry room.
Renovated just over three years ago, the business-oriented guest rooms still look good, with pillow-top beds and duvets and throw pillows, bright, patterned carpeting and attractive gem-tone upholstery.
Standard fittings include desks, dual-line speakerphones with data ports and voice mail, TVs with video games and pay movies, radios, and one king or two double beds. High-speed Internet access is not free.
Baths feature faux-marble counters, hair dryers, irons, ironing boards and coffeemakers. Business rooms and, business packages, the latter offering low daily rates for high-speed Internet access, local and long distance phone calls, are aimed at this hotel's mainstay: business travelers and commercial gatherings.
The staff is excellent but sometimes in short supply. Room service stops at 11 pm. Pets are not allowed.
Despite advertising to the contrary, this is a poor choice for visitors headed to New York City; the commute by car from here into the city is a nightmare.
