We are beginning our college search for our daughter and plan to take a tour of Princeton University. Can anyone recommend a few motels or hotels pretty close to Princteon Univ? Thanks!
Motels/Hotels near Princeton University?
There%26#39;s a Hyatt in Princeton (I think off of Rt. 1) that is very nice and has a comedy club. It%26#39;s less than 15 minutes from PU, and near the mall and tons of restaurants. There%26#39;s an Apple Hotel also on Rt. 1 (might techically be in West Windsor) but I don%26#39;t know anything about it.
Motels/Hotels near Princeton University?
The previous post is right about the Hyatt -- it%26#39;s on US 1 in Carnegie Center. I%26#39;m not aware of an Apple Hotel (and I live in Princeton) -- maybe they mean the McIntosh Inn, which is a decent place if you%26#39;re on a budget (at least it was the last time I had visitors stay there, which has been a while). It%26#39;s near the university but is technically in Lawrenceville.
The Nassau Inn is the only hotel that%26#39;s actually in the heart of Princeton -- lots of charm, great location (practically across the street from the campus), but usually expensive. I%26#39;ve heard from one source that the rooms are small (but that could have been just one isolated case).
On or near US 1, several chains are represented, including Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Amerisuites, Marriott, Westin. All are just a short drive from the Princeton campus.
If you can get a reasonable price for the Nassau Inn or the Hyatt, those would probably be my first choices. The Westin is slightly farther away but would also be a good choice. The Marriott is a recent conversion (it was the Doral Conference Center), and I don%26#39;t know whether they have renovated or might be in the process of doing so. For something less expensive, I%26#39;d try the Hampton Inn or the Courtyard.
Thank you so much for your suggestions.
My comments on suite hotels in the area:
I HIGHLY recommend the new Marriott Residence Inn at Carnegie Center in Princeton, right next to the Market Fair mall with a cineplex, shops and a number of eateries at its doorstep -- we really like Big Fish Seafood Bistro, but there are also such chain restaurants as TGIFridays, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, and PF Changs.
In addition to the extra room (always a plus imo when traveling with a teen!) %26amp; kitchen facilities, indoor pool %26amp; hot tub, fitness room, and decent breakfast buffet which are features of almost every Residence Inn, the service at this particular RI is simply outstanding: everyone -- manager, desk clerks, housekeeping staff, and buffet attendants -- seems to be thoroughly enjoying working there and act as if they are thrilled you%26#39;ve chosen their RI.
Its next-door neighbor, the AmeriSuites, is decent enough, but this RI -- or the now less-expensive-than-it-used-to-be RI a bit further north on Rt. 1 -- is superior. And I would opt for the Staybridge Suites over the AmeriSuites. There is also a Homewood Suites under construction, but I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s expected to open until January.
Non-suite accommodations:
The Nassau Inn is overpriced imo for what it delivers. Of the 2 closest budget chain outposts, I prefer the Red Roof Lodge over the McIntosh... friendlier staff, more comfy beds, and it felt a bit more ';secure'; to me even tho%26#39; it%26#39;s McIntosh which has interior corridors. And much to my surprise, the Red Roof is part of the French Accor chain so I racked up some points I can use at a far more upscale Sofitel elsewhere. Neither I nor anyone I know has stayed at Forrestal since Marriott just recently assumed ownership, so I can%26#39;t comment on that one; I enjoyed my stay there under the Doral name 2 years ago. For reasons which elude me, the Courtyard seems to usually be as expensive as the suite hotels but offers less.
I%26#39;m not a fan of the Hyatt Regency, in part because atrium-style hotels are not my preference. But the Sunday brunch buffet is lovely... nice selection, excellent service in a serene atmosphere, including a pianist.
One final suggestion: as long as you%26#39;re in the neighborhood, how about checking out The College of New Jersey, the ';honors college'; of NJ%26#39;s state university system? My son is a senior there and he (and I) has been quite pleased with the caliber of his educational and residential experience there. One of only 5 state schools among Barron%26#39;s Most Competitive roster (joining, e.g., University of Virginia) and very highly ranked (top public school, 5th out of all 165 public %26amp; private institutions) in US News %26amp; World Report%26#39;s Best Universities in the North - Master%26#39;s division, it is a physically attractive, mid-sized school (under 6,000 students) with a distinctly liberal arts college orientation. E.g., very accessible faculty [no teaching assistants] who prize class discussion; my son has been in classes as small as 9 students; the largest -- Psych 101 -- was merely 48. On a sadder note, I was awed by the sensitivity and responsiveness of the admininstration in their dealings with the campus community, students%26#39; parents, the press and the ';outside world'; when confronted with the tragic disappearance last year of the freshman whose body was later discovered in PA.
Frankly, because of NJ%26#39;s budget problems, I think it unlikely that TCNJ will be able to maintain such small class sizes, but the facilities are such that large lecture classes can never become the norm. Tuition, room %26amp; board for out-of-state students is presently $26,000 -- and unlike most state schools, merit scholarship awards are made to out-of-state students, not just state residents.
So, I think it%26#39;s worth driving ~10 miles from Princeton for a visit. Have fun on your campus visits wherever they may lead you all! Not only is it fun to see your son/daughter look into the future, but doing these roadtrips also proved to be a special mother-son bonding time for us... very welcome to this mom after some turbulence in the preceding adolescent years ;-)
Thank you so much for your hotel suggestions. Also want to thank you for the info. on The College of New Jersey.
