You’re looking at NYC hotels and the prices are making your eyes water. It happens to everyone. Suddenly, a map pin across the Hudson River catches your eye. It’s the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel in Weehawken. It looks close. Too close? You start wondering if staying in New Jersey is a genius travel hack or a logistical nightmare that will end with you crying in an Uber at 2:00 AM.
Honestly, the "New York City" hotel experience is often a cramped room above a noisy street for $500 a night. Weehawken is different. It’s quieter. It’s arguably got better views of the skyline than the skyline has of itself. But you have to know what you’re getting into before you book that "Harbor View" suite.
The Geography of the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel
Location is everything. If you screw this up, your vacation feels like a commute. The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel sits right on the waterfront, basically staring directly at 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan.
You aren't in a suburban wasteland here. You’re in a weirdly charming pocket of Weehawken called Lincoln Harbor. It’s a mixed-use development area. It feels a bit polished, maybe even a little sterile compared to the grit of Hoboken or the chaos of Times Square, but it’s safe. Really safe. You can walk along the waterfront at midnight and the only thing that might startle you is a particularly aggressive Canada goose.
Getting across the water is the big question.
Most people think they’ll just take the bus. You can. The 156, 158, and 159 NJ Transit lines run through the Lincoln Tunnel nearby. It’s fast—ten minutes if the tunnel is clear. But the tunnel is rarely "clear." It’s a gamble. If a fender bender happens in the tube, you’re sitting on a bus for forty minutes staring at exhaust pipes.
The pro move is the NY Waterway ferry.
The terminal is literally steps from the hotel lobby. It’s expensive—around $9 or $10 each way—but it’s a six-minute ride to West 39th Street. You get the wind in your hair and a view that people pay $80 for on a "Circle Line" tour. It makes the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel feel like an extension of Manhattan rather than a distant satellite.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Let's be real: some Sheratons feel like they haven't been touched since the Clinton administration. This one has seen updates, but it retains that classic "upscale corporate" vibe.
The "All-Suite" designation is the real selling point.
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In Manhattan, you’re lucky to have enough floor space to open a suitcase. Here, you get a separate living area. It’s huge by local standards. If you’re traveling with kids or a pile of camera gear, that extra breathing room is a godsend.
The beds? They use the standard Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience. It’s fine. It’s a bed. You won’t wake up with a transformed soul, but you won't have a sore back either. The real magic is the window. If you book a city-view room, you are looking at the Empire State Building and the Hudson Yards Vessel. At night, when the city lights up and reflects off the black water of the Hudson, it’s legitimately breathtaking. You’ll find yourself sitting in the dark just staring out the glass.
However, be careful with the "Partial View" rooms.
Sometimes "partial" means you have to crane your neck at a 45-degree angle to see a sliver of the skyline past a parking garage. If you’re going to stay here, pay the extra $30 for the full waterfront view. Otherwise, you’re just staying in a nice room in New Jersey.
Eating and Drinking Around Lincoln Harbor
The hotel has an on-site restaurant, Jack’s Lobster Shack (which replaced the older Masina Trattoria). It’s decent. The lobster rolls are solid, and the atmosphere is casual. It’s convenient for that first night when you’re too tired to think.
But don't eat every meal there.
Step outside. Within a five-minute walk, you have Chart House. It’s a bit of a throwback—think high-end steakhouse vibes with white tablecloths. It’s pricey, but the view is world-class. Then there’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House nearby if you want something predictable.
For something more local, walk south toward Hoboken.
You can hit the northern edge of Hoboken in about 15 minutes. That’s where the real food is. You’ll find tucked-away Italian delis and coffee shops that don’t feel like they were designed by a corporate board.
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- Pro Tip: There is a Whole Foods right in the Lincoln Harbor complex.
- This is huge.
- Since the rooms have mini-fridges and a bit of space, you can stock up on snacks and drinks.
- It saves you a fortune compared to raiding the hotel pantry or ordering $25 room-service burgers.
The Logistics: Parking and Transit Nuances
Parking is the bane of any East Coast traveler’s existence.
The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel offers parking, but it isn't cheap. Expect to pay around $30-$40 a day. Still, compared to the $70 or $80 you’d pay in a midtown garage where they valet-park your car into a Tetris-like stack, it’s a bargain.
If you are driving in from out of state, leave the car at the hotel. Do not drive into the city. Just don't. The tolls for the Lincoln Tunnel are steep, and the stress of driving in Manhattan will ruin your mood for the day. Use the ferry or the light rail.
Speaking of the light rail, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail has a stop right at Lincoln Harbor. This is your ticket to exploring Jersey City or the downtown Hoboken waterfront. It’s cheap, clean, and efficient. It doesn’t go to NYC, but it connects you to the PATH train which does.
Addressing the Common Complaints
No hotel is perfect. Let’s look at where this place gets dinged in reviews.
Noise is a factor, but not in the way you think. You don't get the "sirens and shouting" noise of Manhattan. Instead, you get the "ferry horn and helicopter" noise. The Hudson River is a highway. Ferries dock frequently, and they have to signal. Helicopters buzz the river constantly. Most people find it rhythmic and easy to ignore, but if you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room on a higher floor.
The elevators can be slow.
It’s an older building layout. During peak checkout times, you might be waiting a few minutes. It's not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you're rushing to catch a specific ferry departure.
Then there's the "New Jersey" stigma.
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Some travelers feel like they aren't "really" visiting New York if they sleep in Weehawken. To that, I’d say: you’re actually seeing New York better from here. You’re watching the sunset hit the skyscrapers. You’re avoiding the smell of trash on the sidewalk in July. You’re getting a suite for the price of a closet.
Comparison: Sheraton Weehawken vs. Hoboken Hotels
You might look at the W Hoboken as an alternative. The W is "cooler." It’s closer to the bars and the younger crowd. But the W is also significantly more expensive and often louder.
The Sheraton is the "adult" choice.
It’s for the family that needs two beds and a sofa bed. It’s for the business traveler who wants to work at a real desk without hearing a nightclub thumping through the floorboards.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you’ve decided that the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel is your home base, follow this checklist to make sure you don't overpay or over-stress.
1. Timing the Ferry
Download the NY Waterway app before you arrive. You can buy tickets on your phone. Don’t wait until you’re standing on the dock fumbling with a kiosk while the boat pulls away. Also, check the weekend schedule; it runs less frequently than the weekday commuter rush.
2. Room Selection Strategy
Call the hotel 24 hours before check-in. Ask specifically for a room at the end of the hallway furthest from the elevators. These tend to be quieter and sometimes have slightly wider viewing angles of the river.
3. The "Secret" Walk
Take the waterfront walkway south toward Hoboken. It’s one of the best walks in the metro area. You’ll pass the site of the Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr duel (there’s a monument up on the cliff, but the actual site is near the tracks). It’s a great way to kill an hour and get some incredible photos.
4. Breakfast Savings
Unless your rate includes breakfast, skip the hotel buffet. Walk two minutes to the local cafes or hit the Whole Foods prepared foods section. You’ll save $30 and probably eat better.
5. Late Night Returns
If you’re in the city late, the ferry stops running around midnight (check current schedules as they change seasonally). If you miss the last boat, you’ll need to take an Uber or a bus from Port Authority. A ride-share from Midtown to Weehawken at 1:00 AM usually costs about $40-$60 depending on surge pricing.
The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel isn't a trendy boutique spot, and it isn't in the heart of the action. It is, however, a strategic fortress. It’s where you go to retreat from the city’s intensity while still keeping it within arm's reach. For a lot of travelers, that balance is exactly what makes a New York trip actually enjoyable rather than just exhausting.