Where to stay near Staten Island? What about Jersey City?
November 16, 2011 4:53 PM Subscribe
Where to stay near Staten Island? What about Jersey City?
We are visiting relatives on S.I. during Christmas. We have two young children in tow. I am looking for a Westin-level hotel somewhere nearby from which it would be easy to travel to/from S.I. We do not want to stay in the two S.I. hotels that I know about - a Hilton Garden and a similar hotel across the street.
The best bet looks like the Westin in Jersey City. Any experience with it? Know of anything similar that might be a better base for SI? Know anything about traffic between Jersey City and SI that makes this really dumb?
I've never been to Jersey City - if I am at the Westin, can I walk to some kind of parks/playgrounds with the kids easily? Thanks
We are visiting relatives on S.I. during Christmas. We have two young children in tow. I am looking for a Westin-level hotel somewhere nearby from which it would be easy to travel to/from S.I. We do not want to stay in the two S.I. hotels that I know about - a Hilton Garden and a similar hotel across the street.
The best bet looks like the Westin in Jersey City. Any experience with it? Know of anything similar that might be a better base for SI? Know anything about traffic between Jersey City and SI that makes this really dumb?
I've never been to Jersey City - if I am at the Westin, can I walk to some kind of parks/playgrounds with the kids easily? Thanks
I'm sure someone will weigh in specifically on the Westin, but we've (two adults + two kids, 10 and 7) stayed several times at the Candlewood Suites in Jersey City, and it's proven to be very convenient to various ferry services, public transit, and Manhattan. Reasonable rates, too, IMO. We will likely stay there again the next time we visit NYC. It was clean, the staff was very friendly, and we appreciated having a kitchenette in the room. There's a nice boardwalk promenade on the Jersey City side of the Hudson; for park-like play space, we took the ferry across the river and visited one of the river side parks on the Manhattan side of the river. JC is also home to the Liberty Science Center, which is an excellent, large, kid-friendly venue with lots of hands-on science exhibits. However, we didn't venture too far into JC proper, so I can't say much about other amenities or local parks, etc.
posted by mosk at 5:10 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by mosk at 5:10 PM on November 16, 2011
You can stay in lower Manhattan and take the Staten Island Ferry quite easily. There is a Double Tree Inn @ 8 Stone Street within walking distance to the ferry, and several other comparable places in Battery Park City-- just Google hotels in the Financial District and you'll find there are many choices.
posted by devymetal at 5:19 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by devymetal at 5:19 PM on November 16, 2011
You can take the PATH from JC and then walk to the SI ferry.
posted by brujita at 5:37 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by brujita at 5:37 PM on November 16, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks - I think Manhattan is out because extra room for kids would be too expensive, but is in right price range in Jersey City. Also need to go in/out from SI multiple times, ferry plus long ride on SI train not great.
posted by Mid at 5:51 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by Mid at 5:51 PM on November 16, 2011
You should check out the Best Western Gregory Hotel, which is in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. This hotel is an extremely short (less then 5 minute) drive to the Verrazano Bridge and Staten Island. You cross the bridge, and you are on the Staten Island Expressway/278, which will bring you anywhere in SI very quickly, it's the main artery for the island.
I've had friends and relatives stay at this hotel over the years, an it's a fine place to stay. It's very basic, but it's clean, quiet, the staff is pleasant and the prices are extremely reasonable for NYC. I see that the place has a few bad reviews on Yelp (a few good ones as well), but everyone I know that has stayed there has always had good things to say. Bay Ridge, the neighborhood where the hotel is, is fantastic, safe, quiet, has great access to public transportation (including busses to Staten Island) and a bunch of great restaurants and nice parks.
The only real drawback I can see to staying here is that the toll for the Verrazano Bridge is $12 (you only pay one-way leaving Brooklyn). Traffic on the SIE can also be rough time to time.
Best Western Gregory Hotel
posted by EvilPRGuy at 6:11 PM on November 16, 2011
I've had friends and relatives stay at this hotel over the years, an it's a fine place to stay. It's very basic, but it's clean, quiet, the staff is pleasant and the prices are extremely reasonable for NYC. I see that the place has a few bad reviews on Yelp (a few good ones as well), but everyone I know that has stayed there has always had good things to say. Bay Ridge, the neighborhood where the hotel is, is fantastic, safe, quiet, has great access to public transportation (including busses to Staten Island) and a bunch of great restaurants and nice parks.
The only real drawback I can see to staying here is that the toll for the Verrazano Bridge is $12 (you only pay one-way leaving Brooklyn). Traffic on the SIE can also be rough time to time.
Best Western Gregory Hotel
posted by EvilPRGuy at 6:11 PM on November 16, 2011
So, are you going to be taking mass transit back and forth? If you're not and have a car the Sheraton in Woodbridge (Islin) is good, I live in S I and when relatives from GA come up that's where they stay. It's very nice, don't know about current pricing.
posted by jara1953 at 6:28 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by jara1953 at 6:28 PM on November 16, 2011
Just one more FYI-- Lower Manhattan hotels tend to be way cheaper than ones in Midtown (you'd be surprised, truly), and the PATH train on Fulton, I believe, is super close also.
posted by devymetal at 6:32 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by devymetal at 6:32 PM on November 16, 2011
Jersey city resident here. The Westin a fine hotel, it's only about 3 years old. We had some folks stay there during our wedding this summer and it was deemed to be pretty nice. It's right next to Newport Mall (as Jersey malls go, it's fairly "eh" but then we have high mall standards (; ). The waterfront walkway is nearby, PATH is across the street. You'll be on the edge of Newport which has some ok kids play areas. And again, you can take the ferry or a PATH train over to Battery Park City which has a great waterfront park.
We drive to Staten Island every so often - my husband for work more than I do - and I would guesstimate you're looking at a 25 minute drive to the Staten Island side of the Bayonne Bridge if you take 440 south through Bayonne. From there you can get onto 278 easily. You will have a car, right?
Pros: Hey, I like JC. It's a nice place to live. The Westin is a nice, very new hotel. If you are open to other hotels, there is also a Courtyard Marriot across the street which is marginally cheaper. (Again, we had wedding guests stay there, too, and folks seemed to like it.)
Cons: see 25 minute drive to the edge of Staten Island above. So it could be a longish drive to where you're going if you will be back and forth every day. Parking at the Westin can be expensive.
posted by lyra4 at 6:35 PM on November 16, 2011
We drive to Staten Island every so often - my husband for work more than I do - and I would guesstimate you're looking at a 25 minute drive to the Staten Island side of the Bayonne Bridge if you take 440 south through Bayonne. From there you can get onto 278 easily. You will have a car, right?
Pros: Hey, I like JC. It's a nice place to live. The Westin is a nice, very new hotel. If you are open to other hotels, there is also a Courtyard Marriot across the street which is marginally cheaper. (Again, we had wedding guests stay there, too, and folks seemed to like it.)
Cons: see 25 minute drive to the edge of Staten Island above. So it could be a longish drive to where you're going if you will be back and forth every day. Parking at the Westin can be expensive.
posted by lyra4 at 6:35 PM on November 16, 2011
Sorry about having to go to Staten Island. The irony to me is that one of the worst places on earth has brutal traffic. Why do so many people live on a giant garbage dump?
In any case, with all due respect to devymetal, I think Brooklyn or Jersey are better choices than lower Manhattan. The ferry is half an hour alone, then you need to get somewhere. I prefer Brooklyn, but paying $13.00 for the Verrazano always hurts. I can't help screaming "All I get for $13.00 is Staten Island".
posted by DTHEASH1 at 5:41 AM on November 17, 2011
In any case, with all due respect to devymetal, I think Brooklyn or Jersey are better choices than lower Manhattan. The ferry is half an hour alone, then you need to get somewhere. I prefer Brooklyn, but paying $13.00 for the Verrazano always hurts. I can't help screaming "All I get for $13.00 is Staten Island".
posted by DTHEASH1 at 5:41 AM on November 17, 2011
Sorry about having to go to Staten Island. The irony to me is that one of the worst places on earth has brutal traffic. Why do so many people live on a giant garbage dump?
In any case, with all due respect to devymetal, I think Brooklyn or Jersey are better choices than lower Manhattan. The ferry is half an hour alone, then you need to get somewhere. I prefer Brooklyn, but paying $13.00 for the Verrazano always hurts. I can't help screaming "All I get for $13.00 is Staten Island".
Oh, come on. Do people really need to insult Staten Island in a thread like this? I grew up there, and while I no longer live there, it is most certainly not a "giant garbage dump." The dump is - was, more accurately - in one portion of the island, and few people live near it. I'm sorry, but this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I can see why people don't like the place, but sheesh, let's stop casting aspersions on it, OK?
Anyway, to the OP's question: there are a few decent hotels on the Island, as detailed in the first comment. I'd stay there. No reason to add travel time, unless you are also looking to see the rest of NYC while there (in which case, JC may be a better bet), and traffic in the area is no joke.
(Also, can't help myself: The toll on the Verrazano is the same as the toll on all MTA bridges and tunnels, except it is one-way. SIers complain about the toll all the damn time, and it drives me absolutely bonkers. The Jersey bridges do have cheaper tolls, however, as they are run by the Port Authority.)
posted by breakin' the law at 8:15 AM on November 17, 2011
In any case, with all due respect to devymetal, I think Brooklyn or Jersey are better choices than lower Manhattan. The ferry is half an hour alone, then you need to get somewhere. I prefer Brooklyn, but paying $13.00 for the Verrazano always hurts. I can't help screaming "All I get for $13.00 is Staten Island".
Oh, come on. Do people really need to insult Staten Island in a thread like this? I grew up there, and while I no longer live there, it is most certainly not a "giant garbage dump." The dump is - was, more accurately - in one portion of the island, and few people live near it. I'm sorry, but this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. I can see why people don't like the place, but sheesh, let's stop casting aspersions on it, OK?
Anyway, to the OP's question: there are a few decent hotels on the Island, as detailed in the first comment. I'd stay there. No reason to add travel time, unless you are also looking to see the rest of NYC while there (in which case, JC may be a better bet), and traffic in the area is no joke.
(Also, can't help myself: The toll on the Verrazano is the same as the toll on all MTA bridges and tunnels, except it is one-way. SIers complain about the toll all the damn time, and it drives me absolutely bonkers. The Jersey bridges do have cheaper tolls, however, as they are run by the Port Authority.)
posted by breakin' the law at 8:15 AM on November 17, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks - part of the idea of staying in JC that I neglected to mention is that, for parts of the trip, we will be splitting up - one of us will have the kids and one of us will be going to SI to visit the relatives. The thought I had is that the person with the kids could get into Manhattan and/or do other stuff without necessarily being stranded on SI. The person visiting the relatives on SI will have a car and go back and forth that way.
posted by Mid at 9:52 AM on November 17, 2011
posted by Mid at 9:52 AM on November 17, 2011
Ex-Jersey City resident originally from Staten Island here. Jersey City is a straight shot to Staten Island via Route 440/Bayonne Bridge; if you'll be splitting up with one of you going to Manhattan, I absolutely recommend staying in one of the waterfront hotels near the Exchange Place or Newport PATHs. The extra charge is absolutely worth the savings in headaches; the PATH can be extra-dicey on holidays and weekends.
One other alternative is staying at one of the hotels in Bayonne, which is likely to be cheaper. This will, however, require taking a light rail for 15-20 mins. to the PATH if carless. As for Staten Island hotels, the Island isn't a big tourist draw and only has minimal business travel. The hotels there... kind of suck.
However, Staten Island doesn't suck. When you're not hanging out with the family, get a pizza at Denino's, go to the boardwalk where they film Boardwalk Empire beach scenes, check out the Sri Lankan restaurants on Victory Blvd., see if they're playing a movie at the old St. George theatre.
Alternate thought: If visiting Staten Island's South Shore, maybe one of the off-NJ turnpike hotels or something around Newark Airport?
posted by huskerdont at 12:05 PM on November 17, 2011
One other alternative is staying at one of the hotels in Bayonne, which is likely to be cheaper. This will, however, require taking a light rail for 15-20 mins. to the PATH if carless. As for Staten Island hotels, the Island isn't a big tourist draw and only has minimal business travel. The hotels there... kind of suck.
However, Staten Island doesn't suck. When you're not hanging out with the family, get a pizza at Denino's, go to the boardwalk where they film Boardwalk Empire beach scenes, check out the Sri Lankan restaurants on Victory Blvd., see if they're playing a movie at the old St. George theatre.
Alternate thought: If visiting Staten Island's South Shore, maybe one of the off-NJ turnpike hotels or something around Newark Airport?
posted by huskerdont at 12:05 PM on November 17, 2011
Response by poster: Yes - exactly. I won't slander all of SI, but the hotel scene is rough. I'm thinking that the JC waterfront might be less depressing.
posted by Mid at 1:12 PM on November 17, 2011
posted by Mid at 1:12 PM on November 17, 2011
I know this is off topic, but if breakin the law, or anyone else wants to make a case for Staten Island not being a miserable place, I'm all ears. I promise not to judge. I really am interested in what people may like.
posted by DTHEASH1 at 4:31 PM on November 17, 2011
posted by DTHEASH1 at 4:31 PM on November 17, 2011
Response by poster: So, we stayed at the Westin at Jersey City and it went really well. Getting to SI was easy, with door-to-door times of about 30-40 minutes, depending on where we were going. The hotel is very nice and well priced in terms of room size and niceness at about $165/night. A similar hotel on Manhattan would easily run $350+. We zipped over to Manhattan on the PATH very easily - 15 minute ride. And we walked around JC a bit, which has a nice playground/park area downtown. My only knock on JC is that they built a giant car-oriented mall in the middle of downtown, which meant that we had to walk across a sea of parking to get certain places. But, all told, JC is a great place if you are looking for a base to visit SI without staying in itself.
posted by Mid at 11:06 AM on January 12, 2012
posted by Mid at 11:06 AM on January 12, 2012
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How about the Hampton Inn, 1120 South Avenue? It is right by the zoo.
There is a Ramada 535 N. Gannon Ave. It's kind of the middle of the island and it is close to the highway.
This Bed & Breakfast has a great view. It is right by the Alice Austin house. She was a great photojournalist and her house is a museum. You can also ride the train for free to the Staten Island Yankee stadium.
posted by Yellow at 5:04 PM on November 16, 2011