When it comes to booking an overnight hotel stay at an airport, some cities make it easy. You might find a hotel right on the airport grounds, sometimes even connected to the terminal, such as the Hyatt hotels at SFO, DFW, or MCO. There are also standout options, such as the retro-themed TWA Hotel at JFK or the impressive Crowne Plaza at Singapore’s Changi Airport. But Newark Liberty International Airport isn’t one of those airports.
Sure, there’s a Marriott technically located on the airport grounds, but it’s not connected to any terminal, and you’re expected to take a shuttle to get there. It doesn’t receive the best reviews, and the price point is significantly higher than that of other nearby options. That makes sense, though, considering the alternatives are mostly limited-service properties.
Growing up nearby, I know all too well that EWR is wedged between the NJ Turnpike, Route 78, and Highway 1&9. There simply isn’t space for a luxury hotel along that stretch of road. So, unless you’re planning to stay in downtown Newark, which we weren’t, your realistic choices are more about convenience and function than flair.
Looking around, I found a nearby Holiday Inn Express located just across from Newark Airport. It had solid reviews online, and while the cash price was surprisingly high, the property was reasonably priced if you used IHG points. Since all we really needed was a clean place to sleep before our flight the next morning, we booked a one-night stay.
Holiday Inn Express Newark Airport – Elizabeth
1128 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Here’s how it went.
TL;DR: This Holiday Inn Express delivered exactly what you’d expect from an airport hotel—clean, convenient, and functional. Nothing fancy, but it got the job done for a quick overnight near EWR.
Booking Details & Value
This stay was covered using the annual Free Night Certificate that comes with the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card.
The certificate is valid for nights that cost up to 40,000 IHG points. Since the card only carries a $49 annual fee and the standard rate for our room was $249, redeeming the certificate offered outstanding value, especially for a quick overnight near Newark Liberty International Airport.
Elite Benefits & Check-In Experience
While we’re IHG One Rewards Platinum members thanks to holding the IHG credit card, that status doesn’t carry much weight at a Holiday Inn Express. As expected, there was no room upgrade or mention of early check-in or late checkout. However, we did receive the standard welcome amenity for elite members—500 bonus points—upon check-in.
The front desk staff was friendly and efficient, and check-in only took a few minutes. We were given a photocopied handout with key hotel info, including breakfast hours, fitness center location, airport shuttle schedule, housekeeping policy (every other day for guests staying more than one night), and a note that the hotel does not have a pool or on-site restaurant. However, it did list several local restaurants that deliver, and we ended up ordering dinner through DoorDash.
Room Overview
Our room featured a king-size bed, a bright green sofa, a desk with a rolling chair, and a dresser that housed a microwave and fridge. Although the décor felt somewhat dated, the room was clean and functional. The lighting was decent, and we appreciated the ample outlets and USB ports by the desk and on one side of the bed.
That said, there was one noticeable design flaw: there were no available outlets on the side of the bed closest to the couch. It’s a small detail, but one that can be annoying if you want to charge your phone overnight or use a device from that side of the bed.
The bathroom was basic but in good condition. It included a standard tub/shower combination, a large mirror, open shelving for towels, and a Dove wall-mounted toiletries holder.
Hotel Amenities & Features
- Fitness Center: The gym featured several cardio machines, a selection of weights, and towels available. Not huge, but good for a quick workout.
- Business Center: Two desktop computers and a printer were available in a quiet room.
- Breakfast: A solid HIX breakfast spread including scrambled eggs, turkey and pork sausage, egg white omelets, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, and the ever-reliable pancake machine.
- Airport Shuttle: Complimentary shuttle service to and from EWR was offered — a key perk for choosing this hotel.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the Holiday Inn Express Newark Airport – Elizabeth delivered exactly what we needed: a clean, quiet place to crash before an early flight. Although the hotel is situated right across from the airport and adjacent to a major highway, we were pleasantly surprised by how quiet the room was—there was no noticeable noise from planes or traffic. It’s not a hotel you’d go out of your way to stay at, but for a one-night layover, it checks all the right boxes—especially if you’re using a free night certificate. Between the airport shuttle, free breakfast, and good value on points, it’s an easy choice if you need to stay near EWR without spending a fortune.
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