Landing at Newark Liberty International Airport at 11:00 PM is rarely a spiritual experience. Usually, it’s just loud, confusing, and exhausting. You’re standing by baggage claim, staring at your phone, trying to figure out if the Holiday Inn Newark Intl Airport North is actually "North" enough to be convenient or if you’re about to embark on a forty-minute odyssey just to find a pillow.
Newark is a beast. It’s one of the busiest hubs in the United States, and the hotel landscape surrounding it is a jagged skyline of neon signs and shuttle buses. People book the Holiday Inn EWR because it’s a name they recognize. They want a predictable shower, a bed that doesn't feel like a pile of laundry, and a shuttle that actually shows up. Honestly, most travelers just want to know if they can get a burger at midnight without walking through a dark parking lot.
The Location Reality Check
Let's get the geography straight because Newark addresses are notoriously tricky. This specific property is located at 160 Frontage Road.
It sits right on the edge of the airport perimeter. You’re not in downtown Newark, and you’re certainly not in Manhattan. You are in the industrial heart of New Jersey. If you look out your window, you might see the monorail or a United Airlines tail wing peaking over a hangar. That’s the point. You stay here because you have a 6:00 AM flight or your connection just got canceled due to a Nor'easter.
The proximity is its greatest asset. It’s basically a five-minute hop from the terminals. But don't try to walk it. I’ve seen people try. Between the highway on-ramps and the lack of sidewalks, it’s a recipe for a very bad day. Use the shuttle.
What the Rooms are Really Like
You aren’t checking into a boutique hotel in Soho. Let’s be real about that. The Holiday Inn Newark Intl Airport North is a workhorse. The rooms are designed for high turnover and durability.
The beds are the standard IHG fare—firm enough to support your back after a cross-country flight, with those "soft" and "firm" labeled pillows that everyone seems to have an opinion on. I personally find the "firm" ones a bit like sleeping on a bag of flour, but the "soft" ones do the trick.
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Space is actually decent. Unlike New York City hotels where you have to climb over your suitcase to get to the bathroom, these rooms have enough square footage to actually move.
- The Sound Factor: This is the big one. You're next to an airport. The hotel uses thick, double-paned glass. Does it block out every roar of a Boeing 777? No. But it mutes it to a dull hum that most people can sleep through. If you’re a light sleeper, bring white noise or earplugs. It’s just part of the EWR experience.
- The Tech: You get a desk, enough outlets to charge a laptop and a phone, and Wi-Fi that usually holds up for a Zoom call, though it can get sluggish around 7:00 PM when everyone is streaming Netflix.
The Bathroom Situation
It’s clean. It’s functional. Usually, it features a shower-tub combo. The water pressure is generally a highlight—New Jersey might have its issues, but weak showers at the Holiday Inn aren't usually one of them. They use the bulk-mounted Dove toiletries now, which is better for the planet but less fun for people who like to "borrow" those tiny bottles.
Navigating the Shuttle and Parking
If you’re driving in, be prepared for the parking fee. It’s Newark. Nothing is free. They offer Park, Stay, and Go packages which are actually a pretty solid deal if you’re leaving your car for a week while you head to Florida or Europe. It’s often cheaper than the long-term airport lots, and it’s arguably more secure because there’s constant foot traffic.
The shuttle is the lifeblood of this hotel. It runs 24/7.
Wait times can vary wildly. Sometimes it’s there in five minutes; sometimes you’re standing at the P4 station for twenty minutes questioning your life choices. The trick is to call the front desk as soon as you clear customs or grab your bags. Don't just wait and hope.
Eating at 160 Frontage Road
Most people end up eating at the on-site restaurant, Teddy's Sports Bar. Is it Michelin-star dining? Of course not. But it’s surprisingly reliable.
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They serve standard American pub food. Wings, burgers, Caesar salads. The "Newark Burger" is usually the go-to. Honestly, after a long flight, a mediocre burger tastes like a feast. The bar is a melting pot of delayed business travelers, flight crews, and families headed to Disney. It’s a great place for people-watching.
If you want something else, your options are limited. You’re in an industrial zone. You can't just "stroll" to a cute bistro. You’re either ordering Uber Eats or taking an expensive Uber to the Ironbound district for some incredible Portuguese food. If you have a long layover, definitely go to the Ironbound. It’s about 15 minutes away and has some of the best rodizio and garlic shrimp in the country.
Why People Choose the Holiday Inn EWR North Over Others
The Newark hotel market is crowded. You have the Marriott, which is right on the airport grounds but usually costs $100 more. You have the Hilton, which is fancy but can feel a bit cold.
Then you have the Holiday Inn Newark Intl Airport North.
It hits the sweet spot for the "Goldilocks" traveler. It’s more updated than some of the budget motels on Route 1 & 9, but it won't blow your per-diem like the high-end spots. It’s a middle-of-the-road, dependable choice.
Reliability is a currency in travel. When things go wrong—snowstorms, mechanical failures, missed connections—you want a place that knows how to handle a sudden influx of 200 grumpy people. This hotel does that. The staff at the front desk have seen it all. They are efficient, if a bit brisk. Don't expect a twenty-minute chat about your day; they want to get you your key so you can go collapse.
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Hidden Perks and Nuances
A lot of people don't realize that this hotel is actually one of the more "renovated" options in the immediate area. They’ve poured money into the lobby and the common areas to keep them from looking like a 1970s film set.
- The Fitness Center: It exists. It’s small. It has a couple of treadmills and some weights. If you need to burn off the stress of TSA, it’ll do.
- The Business Center: Good for printing out that one boarding pass or document you forgot.
- The Rewards: Since it’s an IHG property, you get those sweet, sweet points. If you’re a Diamond member, you might even score a room on a higher floor with a slightly better view of the Manhattan skyline (it’s tiny, but it’s there).
What Most People Get Wrong
People often confuse this hotel with the other Holiday Inns near the airport. There’s a Holiday Inn Express and another Holiday Inn further south.
Make sure your reservation says "North" and the address is 160 Frontage Road.
If you get on the wrong shuttle, you’ll end up miles away, and the drivers generally aren't thrilled about playing "shuttle swap" in the middle of a Newark traffic jam. Double-check your confirmation email before you step out of the terminal.
Strategic Tips for Your Stay
- Request a High Floor: The higher up you are, the quieter it is. The ground-floor noise from the shuttle buses and luggage carts can be annoying.
- Breakfast is a Maybe: If your rate includes the buffet, go for it. It’s a standard spread of eggs, sausage, and those pancake machines that are weirdly mesmerizing to watch. If it's not included, it's a bit pricey. You’re better off grabbing a bagel at the airport.
- Check the Shuttle Schedule: While it's 24/7, the frequency can drop in the middle of the night (2:00 AM to 4:00 AM). If you have a super early flight, tell the front desk the night before.
- The Manhattan Connection: If you’re staying here but want to see New York City, take a Lyft to the Newark Penn Station (not to be confused with New York Penn Station). From there, the PATH train or NJ Transit will get you into the city in about 20 minutes. It’s way cheaper than a $100 Uber over the bridge.
Is It Worth It?
If you need a place to stay because you’re flying in or out of EWR, yes. It is one of the most consistent performers in the area.
It’s not a vacation destination. Nobody spends their honeymoon at the Holiday Inn Newark Intl Airport North. But it is a solid, clean, and safe harbor in the chaotic sea of New Jersey travel. You get exactly what you pay for: a functional room, a decent meal, and a ride to your gate. In the world of airport hotels, that’s a win.
Travel is stressful enough. Don't overcomplicate it. If you need a bed near Newark, this is a very safe bet.
Actionable Steps for Your Arrival
- Download the IHG App: It makes check-in faster, and you can sometimes use your phone as a digital key, skipping the front desk line entirely if it's busy.
- Save the Hotel Phone Number: (973) 589-1000. Put it in your contacts. When you’re standing at P4 at Newark Airport and can't find the shuttle, you’ll be glad you don't have to hunt for it on a slow data connection.
- Locate Station P4: This is where most off-site hotel shuttles pick up. Follow the signs for the AirTrain, take it to P4, and descend the escalators to the shuttle bus area.
- Pack an Eye Mask: The curtains are good, but the ambient light from the airport and parking lots is intense. A simple eye mask can be the difference between four hours of sleep and eight.
- Check Out the Ironbound: If you have more than five hours to kill, leave the hotel. Get an Uber to Ferry Street in Newark. Eat at Seabra's Marisqueira. It will be the best meal of your trip, and it's only ten minutes away from the hotel.