Where to Stay in Elizabeth, NJ: Best Hotels for NYC Access Without NYC Prices

When my youngest daughter Mia joined me for a weekend of museum-hopping and Broadway shows last fall, we faced the eternal NYC visitor's dilemma: pay astronomical hotel rates in Manhattan or sacrifice convenience for affordability. That's when I remembered a fellow travel writer's tip about Elizabeth.

Located just across the Hudson River, Elizabeth offers a trifecta of travel advantages: proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), direct train access to Penn Station via NJ Transit (30 minutes!), and hotel rates often 40-60% lower than comparable Manhattan properties. The city itself isn't a tourist destination, which is precisely why it works so beautifully as a base camp for NYC adventures.

I've found that business travelers particularly appreciate the practical nature of staying here—you get reliable chain hotels with all the amenities you need, easy transport connections, and the satisfaction of stretching your per diem much further than colleagues who insist on Manhattan accommodations.

During my most recent stay, I chose the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel for its balance of comfort and convenience. The recently renovated rooms feature surprisingly comfortable beds (a detail I've become increasingly particular about as I've gotten older), and their soundproofing technology actually works—essential for airport-adjacent properties.

For business travelers needing to work remotely, I highly recommend the noise-canceling headphones that have saved my sanity during countless hotel work sessions. They're particularly useful in hotel lobbies when you need to focus.

The Courtyard by Marriott Newark Elizabeth offers exceptional value with spacious work desks and reliable Wi-Fi. Their lobby business center saved me when I needed to print contracts before heading into Manhattan for meetings. For longer stays, consider the travel steamer which keeps business attire looking professional without dealing with hotel ironing boards.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Airport consistently earns my recommendation for their 24-hour business center and shuttle service that runs on a reliable schedule—not to mention those warm cookies at check-in that my kids still talk about years later!

Not all Elizabeth accommodations fall into the business hotel category. On a previous visit with my bird-watching friend Denise (we were headed to Central Park's Ramble for spring migration), we discovered some surprisingly comfortable budget options.

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson offers complimentary breakfast that goes beyond the standard continental fare—their make-your-own waffle station became our morning ritual. The rooms include mini-fridges, perfect for storing the travel containers filled with snacks I always prepare for city adventures. These eco-friendly storage bags have replaced all my disposable plastic bags for travel.

For extended stays, I've had excellent experiences at the Extended Stay America, where the in-room kitchenette saved me hundreds on dining expenses. Before arrival, I ordered groceries delivered using Instacart, including ingredients for quick breakfasts and post-sightseeing dinners. The travel spice kit has been a game-changer for making those in-room meals taste like something I'd actually want to eat!

Hampton Inn Newark-Airport consistently offers clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates, with the added benefit of their complimentary airport shuttle that runs 24/7. Their free breakfast saved our budget when traveling with my always-hungry teenage son on our last NYC theater weekend.

The true value of staying in Elizabeth comes down to transportation convenience. After numerous stays, I've perfected the commute into Manhattan, which is surprisingly straightforward once you know the system.

NJ Transit trains from Newark Liberty Airport Station will get you to New York Penn Station in approximately 30 minutes. I recommend downloading the NJ Transit app and purchasing tickets in advance—the phone wallet has been invaluable for keeping my transit pass, hotel key, and credit cards organized without carrying a purse.

For late-night returns from NYC, consider using the personal safety alarm that my daughters insisted I carry. While Elizabeth is generally safe, this provides peace of mind when walking from the station to your hotel after dark.

Many travelers overlook the convenience of the PATH train system, which connects to downtown Manhattan and provides an alternative to Penn Station if you're heading to Financial District or Village areas. During rush hours, I prefer this less crowded option.

One transportation hack I've discovered: some airport hotel shuttles will take you to Newark Penn Station (different from NY Penn Station) upon request, saving you the cost of a rideshare to the train. Just be sure to tip your driver appropriately!

After years of NYC visits for everything from business meetings to taking my kids to their first Broadway shows, I've developed a strategic approach to the Elizabeth vs. Manhattan accommodation decision.

For business trips with multiple Manhattan meetings, I'll sometimes split my stay—booking Elizabeth hotels for the majority of nights but splurging on a single Manhattan night when I have early meetings or late client dinners. The packing cubes have revolutionized this approach, allowing me to easily separate wardrobes for different portions of my trip.

For weekend getaways focused on theater and dining, Elizabeth accommodations make perfect sense—you'll typically arrive at your hotel late anyway, and the money saved can fund a spectacular pre-theater dinner instead. I always carry a compact umbrella that fits in my theater bag for unexpected New York weather changes.

When attending special events like the electronic music festivals that have become my post-50 passion, I weigh transportation timing carefully. If events run past midnight, sometimes the convenience of a Manhattan hotel outweighs the savings, particularly if NJ Transit runs limited late-night schedules.

The ultimate consideration? How you'll use those savings. On my last trip, choosing Elizabeth accommodations saved approximately $200 per night—which funded premium orchestra seats for Hamilton instead of rear mezzanine. For me, that's simple travel math!