Newark Spotting Hotel Review – Courtyard Residence Inn

Paul Draper recently stayed at the Courtyard Residence Inn Newark Elizabeth and kindly sent in this report and pictures.

Courtyard Residence Inn Newark Elizabeth
83 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
+1 908-352-4300 | www.marriott.co.uk/Elizabeth

Location: Located off airport to the south east near the Jersey Gardens Shopping Mall

[Here’s a map of the hotel location]

About the Hotel

I stayed in room 617 which is a two bedroom suite with two bathrooms and a kitchen / lounge area in the middle. This makes it a relatively expensive option for one person but ideal for multiple occupants although the beds are doubles. The kitchen has a large fridge freezer, microwave, kettle and all cups, plates and cutlery.

The Jersey Gardens shopping mall is less than 10 minutes walking distance, where there is a food court with the usual outlets, a licensed steak house, and money changing facilities along with lots of clothes and other outlets on two levels. The hotel airport shuttle will drop off and pick up from here on request. The shuttle bus runs between the airport and the hotel every 20 minutes, drop off at the airport is outside the monorail train station which connects all terminals.

Buffet breakfast is included in the room rate and is basic but excellent; there is complimentary tea and coffee in the lobby during the day. All areas of the hotel have complimentary wifi and the hotel is very clean and well maintained with friendly staff and efficient room service.

I entered the US via JFK Airport and pre-purchased a return transfer to Newark Airport on-line before I left home. It was $56 but you can buy a single or return ticket at JFK or EWR for the same price $28 each way, the trip takes around 45minutes. You need to changes bus in Lower Manhattan at the Port Authority terminal but it’s only a short walk and is easy to navigate and there is also the Heartland Brewery public house on the corner for vital refreshment!

Spotting

Top floor rooms 617 to 633 face the airport whilst rooms 601 to 615 face the approach to runways 04R and 04L and would be better for photography. Runway 17 / 29 can be seen in the distance but is too far away for photographs, runway 29 was only used for one afternoon during my 5 day stay. When the aircraft are using 22R and 22L they pass over to the left of the hotel at 1500 feet so photography is not so good. On a clear day the approach to runway 04 can be seen on finals, departures from runway 31 can also be seen; SBS will be needed to tie these registrations up. In the distance departures from Teterboro Airport can be seen when they are using runway 24. The airport is very well lit making all aircraft movements visible during darkness although SBS is required, FlightRadar24 works perfectly and there is no delay between the aircraft and screen as there used to be. Prepaid SIM cards are available from vending machines at the airport and cost $80 for 2GB of data which is more than enough for a couple of weeks spotting.

Photography

When aircraft are using 04L or 04R photographs will be good using a 100mm lens but will be through glass. When aircraft are departing using 22R or 22L they are too high.

Value

Rooms available from $170 per night, suites from $220 per night, plus taxes.

Thanks to Paul Draper for compiling this review.