Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Ewing Princeton's Luxurious NJ Getaway
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Ewing Princeton – My Honest (and Slightly Rambling) Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Courtyard Ewing Princeton, and let me tell you, it's less "perfect postcard" and more "human experience," if you catch my drift. I'm going to give you the real lowdown, warts and all, because let's be honest, who needs a travel brochure when you can get the truth? And maybe, just maybe, convince you to book a stay yourself.
Accessibility: Trying to be inclusive, but also kinda…meh.
Let's rip the band-aid off. Accessibility is mentioned (Facilities for disabled guests), which is a good start. They have an elevator, thank goodness. This isn't the place to expect seamless, worry-free wheelchair maneuvering though. Double-check everything if accessibility is a dealbreaker. I saw some… interesting… doorways. But hey, at least they try.
On-site Grub & Groceries: Food, Glorious Food…and Coffee.
Alright, let’s talk fuel! The good news: They've got restaurants! The even better news? Coffee shop is a lifesaver. Essential. Absolutely vital. I'm a coffee fiend, okay? Without my morning caffeine fix, things get… messy. I hit that coffee shop hard. Think I single-handedly kept them afloat.
Beyond that, you’ve got your standard fare: Breakfast [buffet]. I'm a buffet girl, and overall the Buffet in restaurant, was decent, you can find something decent to fill your belly. A la carte in restaurant, which is an option – sometimes you just want someone to hand you a plate. Poolside bar – yes! Essential for that "lazing around the pool" fantasy. They’ve got Bar…which is always a fine option. Room service [24-hour]? Bless up. Those late-night cravings are real, people. Think about that Snack bar too, when you're too tired to head to a full meal. International cuisine in restaurant made things interesting. More good news: they offer Breakfast [buffet] (that one is key, in my book), plus Coffee/tea in restaurant for your buzz.
Things to Do (or, How to Actually Relax): The Spa Dream (and the Reality of It).
Here's where things get interesting. They boast a Spa, a Sauna, a Steamroom, and a Pool with view. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, I went for the sauna one day, giddy with the prospect of sweating out my stresses, and… it wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly the “heavenly oasis” the brochure suggested. It was okay, that's it. The gym/fitness looked pretty standard. Didn't get time, as you could guess from me writing this review. Massage is available. I didn't experience it, but, I'm sure it's a good option.
Cleanliness & Safety: COVID-19 Era…Mostly.
Okay, let's be real, we're still in a pandemic-adjacent world, and that's a big deal. The Courtyard Ewing Princeton clearly tries. They claim Professional-grade sanitizing services, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They have Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. Cashless payment service? Check. Safe dining setup? Generally, yes. But things still feel somewhat… cautious. You can Room sanitization opt-out available. They have Individually-wrapped food options, which is a mixed bag.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Creepy.
The rooms… well, they are pretty standard hotel rooms. The Wi-Fi [free] actually works! A miracle! (They also offer Internet access – LAN , if you're old-school). They have Air conditioning, as well as Air conditioning in public area. They are non-smoking rooms which is great. The In-room safe box. Desk, Desk, Desk. Coffee/tea maker is a must. Refrigerator? Thank goodness. And the Mini bar which I don't really like but it is here, and I'm sure with overpriced snacks. But they do also have Blackout curtains, and believe me, they're a lifesaver after a long day of… well, whatever you do on vacation.
Rambling aside: I went through everything. I hope it can help you to pick a hotel.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Than Meets the Eye.
Okay, beyond the coffee shop addiction (which, again, is a HUGE selling point for me), the food options are pretty solid. They serve Western cuisine in restaurant, but also offer Asian cuisine in restaurant. Breakfast [buffet] has options, which is always a win. And hey, they even have a Desserts in restaurant! Poolside bar? Yes, please! Happy hour? Count me in. The Snack bar. I needed one.
Services and Conveniences: Helpful… Mostly.
They have all the usual suspects: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Elevator (again, essential!), and a Gift/souvenir shop. Oh, and Car park [free of charge], a blessing in a world of parking nightmares! They had Meeting/banquet facilities, which, unless you're there for business, probably isn't your jam. And they do offer Currency exchange, which is handy if you're a traveler.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly-ish.
They have Family/child friendly, which can be a mixed bag. They also are Babysitting service. They have Kids meal.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy.
Airport transfer available?! YES! Car park [free of charge]? Wonderful! And they have Taxi service. They have Valet parking.
The Unspoken Perks:
- The pillows were surprisingly good. That's a big win in my book.
- The staff were friendly and helpful, especially with my coffee-related emergencies.
- The location is pretty solid, close to…stuff. I'll leave the specifics for your research.
The Quirks and Imperfections:
- There were a few strange noises in the hallway at night. Ghosts? Plumbing? Who knows.
- The lighting in the room was a bit…harsh.
- I still can't figure out how to work all the TV remotes.
My Verdict: Is it "Paradise?" Nope. Is it a Solid Stay? Absolutely!
Here's the deal: The Courtyard Ewing Princeton isn't a five-star luxury palace. It's a solid, comfortable hotel that delivers what it promises: a clean room, decent food, and a place to relax. It's a good basecamp for exploring the area, or just escaping the everyday grind.
So, are you planning to booking the hotel?
Here is the offer to you:
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Ewing Princeton – Your Stress-Free NJ Getaway!
- Unwind & Recharge: Enjoy cozy rooms with free Wi-Fi, blackout curtains, and all the essential amenities.
- Fuel Your Adventures: Savor delicious coffee and diverse dining options, whether you're hitting the pool or exploring.
- Peace of Mind: Rest easy with top-notch safety and hygiene practices.
- Discover the Magic: Explore the stunning scenery, bustling city life, vibrant culture, and shopping options.
- Book now to experience the ultimate blend of relaxation and convenience!
- Additional perks to consider:
- Free Parking
- A late check-out(If available)
- Complimentary breakfast (for select bookings)
- Discounts on nearby attractions.
Click here to book your escape today and treat yourself to a well-deserved getaway at the Courtyard Ewing Princeton! You deserve it!
Escape to Arctic Paradise: Star Arctic Hotel Awaits in Inari, Finland
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to experience a Courtyard Ewing Princeton itinerary… with all the messy, glorious, and sometimes-borderline-hysterical reality that entails. This isn't your polished travel brochure – it's a diary of a slightly-unhinged traveler, fueled by coffee and the sheer will to make it through the day.
Courtyard Ewing Princeton: The "Get Me Outta Here (But First, Coffee)" Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Parking Lot Odyssey (Or, "Why Can't I Park My Car?!")
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Arrival & Check-In (And the Parking Lot Purgatory)
Okay, so, the drive was… long. Traffic on the turnpike was a monster. And the moment I pull up to the Courtyard? A parking lot that looks plucked straight out of a M.C. Escher painting. Seriously, where are all the spaces? I swear, I circled for a solid fifteen minutes – felt like a vulture spotting roadkill. Finally snagged a spot, which was about five miles from the actual hotel entrance. Luggage? Yeah, good luck with that. Checked in, and the lovely woman at the desk was all smiles and efficiency. Bless her heart. I, on the other hand, was already halfway to a caffeine-induced crisis.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: The Room, My Temporary Sanctuary (And the Quest for Wi-Fi)
The room? Standard. Perfectly fine. Which, after the parking ordeal, felt like a victory. A quick scan for cleanliness (always a must-do, right?), a sigh of relief, and then… the Wi-Fi drama. The hotel's Wi-Fi is always a hit or miss, mostly miss, you get the idea, and It needed a password the size of my arm and the signal was weaker than my willpower to resist the vending machine.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: The Snack Situation & Panic (Vending Machine of Regret)
Okay, so I was hungry. And the vending machine? Temptation Central. I swear, it’s designed to prey on your vulnerabilities. I caved and got a bag of chips that tasted like… disappointment. Added a sugary soda just for kicks. This is the beginning of the end, I can feel it.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Exploring Ewing (Or, "Is There Anything To Do Around Here Besides… Wait?")
So, I figured I'd venture outside the hotel, for the sake of pretending I'm a cultured traveler. Ewing. Turns out, it's not exactly teeming with excitement. A few strip malls, a gas station, and a general feeling of "where did my life choices lead me?" Walked around. Felt like a character in a low-budget film. Decided to retreat back to the hotel.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: The Pool Ambush (And the Unspoken Rules of Hotel Pools)
Headed to the pool. Well, that was… something. The pool area itself was nice enough, but the unspoken rules of hotel pools are always a trip. I saw a guy wearing swim trunks AND a t-shirt. Another woman was doing laps with a look that screamed, "Don't even THINK about talking to me." I attempted a casual dip, but quickly decided the water was too cold and the vibe too… intense. Retreat, engaged.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at (Insert Restaurant Name) (Or, "Why Is It Always So Loud?!")
Restaurant roulette. Google Maps led me to (restaurant name). The food was decent, bordering on okay. But the noise! Oh, the noise! It was like being trapped in a blender full of conversations. I swear, I could barely hear myself think, let alone enjoy my meal.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Evening Relaxation (Or, "Trying to Unwind After a Day of… Things")
Back to the room. Thank. God. Put on some TV, made myself a cup of the hotel's questionable coffee, and tried to unwind. The endless scroll of the television made me think. In theory, the day should go easily, but I think it was a good day, a day with many moments of "what am I doing?" and "why?" This is travel, and these questions are important.
9:00 PM - Bedtime: The Great Sleep Debate (Or, "Will I Ever Actually Sleep Here?")
Attempted to sleep. The AC was a roaring monster. The bed was… fine. My brain, however, was still processing the day's events. I finally drifted off, hoping tomorrow will be less… chaotic.
Day 2: History, Hotels, and Hysteria (aka, "More Coffee, Please")
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: The Breakfast Buffet Battle (Or, "Who Took My Bacon?!")
Breakfast. The hotel breakfast buffet. This is where you really learn about your fellow travelers. The strategic bacon grabbers. The toast aficionados. The people who pile everything onto their plates (judging you on the inside). I was there for the caffeine, mostly. The coffee was… better than the room coffee, thankfully.
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Historical Adventures, Part I: Princeton University (Or, "Pretend to Be Smart")
Princeton University! Okay, time to pretend I'm a cultured intellectual. The campus is gorgeous, no denying that. Walked around, looked at the buildings, tried to absorb some knowledge by osmosis. Found myself distracted by squirrels. Squirrels are fascinating, I tell you! Tried to look serious and knowledgable, but couldn't help but think, "I hope I don't run into any alumni asking me what I think about Plato."
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch at (Restaurant Name) (Or, "Another Lonely Meal")
Lunch! I went to (restaurant name), the same one as the previous day. The food was delicious, I enjoyed it. But there's a certain… loneliness that creeps in when you eat alone on a trip. I watched other people laughing and chatting, and I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a pang of envy.
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Princeton Shopping Spree (Or, "Why Is Everything So Expensive?")
Returned to the hotel, and I was starting to feel the effects of traveling solo. After a quick break, I decided to do a little shopping. Well, at least browsing. Princeton's shops are charming, full of things I definitely don't need, but could be nice to have! The prices, though… Yikes! I left with nothing but a small bottle of hand cream, because I needed… well, I needed SOMETHING.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Hotel Relaxation (Or, "Netflix and Chill (With a Twist)")
Back at the hotel. This time, I decided to embrace the solitude. I had some time to do some things, such as watching Netflix. The hotel was so quiet; it was such a lovely afternoon.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner at (Different Restaurant Name) (Or, "Trying to Avoid the Loudness Again")
Decided to try a different restaurant. This time, I carefully researched beforehand, to avoid the earlier noise fiasco. The restaurant was located on the streets full of people with similar interests. The food was great; the company was even better.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Evening at the Hotel (Or, "The Calm Before the Departure")
Back to the hotel. I had to put my feet up and enjoy some time to myself. It was time to finish the day. I was feeling melancholy because it was the end of the day. What will happen tomorrow?
9:00 PM - Bedtime: The Last Night (Or, "Sleepy Thoughts and Preparation for Departure")
Tried to go to bed. Thinking about my plans for departure. The bed was very comfortable. One day more, or one day less?
Day 3: Departure and the Return to Reality (Or, "Goodbye, Ewing! Don't Miss Me!")
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Last Breakfast Buffet & Lamentations (Or, "Where's the Orange Juice?!)
Breakfast. Again. The same cast of characters. The same buffet battles. But this time, there was a subtle sadness. This was, after all, the last hurrah.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Check Out & Goodbyes (Or, "Is That Really My Car?")
Check-out was thankfully quick and painless. Then came the parking lot… again. This time, I found my car relatively easily. I survived.
**9:00 AM - Onwards: The Drive Home & The Post-Trip Blues
Escape to Paradise: Courtyard Ewing Princeton - FAQ, But Make it Real (and Chaotic)
Okay, so...Courtyard Ewing Princeton. Is it *actually* paradise? (And is Ewing even a place?)
Alright, let's get real. Paradise? That's a *big* word. I mean, I'm pretty sure actual paradise doesn't involve dealing with New Jersey traffic to get there. And Ewing? Yep, it IS a place! A slightly… suburban, maybe even industrial-feeling, place. But hey, the Courtyard promises an escape, and you know what? It *kind of* delivers. Think "clean, comfortable, and strategically located for your Princeton adventures." Don't go expecting lush tropical foliage, but the courtyard? It's actually not bad. Got a nice little fountain and… maybe a squirrel or two. Bonus points if you see one trying to steal a rogue breakfast muffin.
What about the rooms? Are they, like, clean and stuff? I’m a germaphobe (kinda).
Okay, okay, germaphobe friend, breathe. The rooms *are* generally clean. And I am… a *slightly* less germaphobic person, but I get it. You know, the *little* things. The questionable stains on the carpet, the lingering smell of… something. I will say this: I actually felt okay there. Sheets seemed fresh. Bathroom was, you know, *useable*. No horrifying surprises. Relief, people, relief! My only slight issue? The AC sounded like a dying banshee some nights. Bring earplugs! Seriously. Don't be me, suffering through a night of rattling metal.
The lobby... is it depressing? I hate depressing lobbies.
Depressing? Hmm... it's... *functional*. Think your standard Courtyard lobby. It's got the usual suspects: a seating area with those weird, slightly uncomfortable modern chairs, a tiny little "market" with overpriced snacks (I confess, I caved and bought a giant bag of gummy bears… don’t judge), and the Starbucks. Yes! Starbucks! Essential for dealing with the aforementioned banshee-like AC. It's not going to win any design awards, but it's fine. It's a place to check in, grab a coffee, and psych yourself up for the day. Personally? I spent most of my time there plotting my next gummy bear raid during the late-night hours.
The "Courtyard" itself... what's the deal? Sounds nice, but is it actually *nice*?
Right, the namesake! The Courtyard. Okay, here’s the truth: it's… pleasant. There's a smallish fountain, which is always running (thank goodness, otherwise it’d be super awkward). There are some tables and chairs; you know, the metal-with-plastic-weave-that-always-feels-slightly-wet-even-when-it's-not kind. I spent a lovely afternoon trying to read my book there, and got completely distracted by the fact that a bird was trying to steal a french fry from a discarded plate. It was both hilarious and slightly disgusting. There was a little bit of sun, some gentle breeze... It gives you a little glimpse of the escape they promised. *Kind of*. Just don’t expect a tropical oasis. Think… a thoughtfully maintained, slightly suburban, oasis. I'm not entirely sure I’m selling it, am I? But it’s OKAY! Really. Just… don’t expect a Pulitzer Prize-winning garden.
Food! What about the food? Is it all just sad hotel breakfasts?
Ah, the eternal question! And honestly? The breakfast situation *is*… what you’d expect. There’s the usual: scrambled eggs that have seen better days, sad-looking bacon, the aforementioned muffins (that maybe the squirrel would approve of?). The coffee is… adequate. I wouldn’t write home about it, but it’ll get you going. There's also a little bar (called the Bistro, I think?) that does dinner. I never actually ate dinner there. I was too busy exploring the local area for interesting food. Seriously though, Princeton is not too far away, and *that’s* where the culinary magic happens. Find a decent diner. Get a proper breakfast sandwich. You'll thank me later.
Location, location, location! How far is it from Princeton? And, like, is there anything *around* there?
Okay, this is where the Courtyard actually shines! It's VERY convenient to get into Princeton. A quick drive, maybe 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic, of course (and let's be honest, New Jersey traffic is a beast). And Princeton is lovely! Beautiful architecture, cute shops, tons of restaurants… It's perfect for exploring. Now, *around* the hotel? Hmmm… there’s a strip of… stuff. Fast food, a couple of chain restaurants. You can get your essentials, but it's not exactly a bustling metropolis. Don't go expecting vibrant nightlife right outside the door. It's more… functional. But hey, you’re close enough to Princeton to feel like you’re in a cool place!
The Fitness Center... is it a sad little room with broken treadmills? Because that's my worst nightmare.
Okay, I actually braved the Fitness Center. I *had* to, to work off those gummy bears (don’t judge!). And… it's not *terrible*. It's small, but it has the basics: treadmills, ellipticals, some weights. The equipment looked… like it worked. I didn't try the treadmills, I’m more of an elliptical person, and it was okay. Clean enough! I did notice that the TV’s were all tuned to CNN, which, depending on your mood… could either motivate you or make you want to hide under the elliptical. So, yeah, it's not a luxury gym, but it's perfectly adequate for a quick workout. And hey, at least there's no broken equipment, that I could tell.
Parking? Is parking a nightmare? I *hate* paying for parking.
Good news! Parking is free! Hallelujah! Relief! There’s plenty of parking, so you don’t have to circle around for an hour looking for a spot. That's a major win, in my book. Because honestly, after driving in NJ traffic, the last thing you need is another parking-related headache. Seriously, this is a big plus. They get a gold star for free parking.
Overall, what’s the verdict? Would you recommend staying there?
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