Courtyard by Marriott Somerset was one of the best overnight stays in 103 nights of travel last year in 2012. We spent almost one third of the year on the road or on a cruise ship, and this New Jersey motel really stands out. Maybe it seems better by contrast to the La Quinta Somerset where we had reservations on that fateful July 4, 2012. We tried to check into the La Quinta and ran into a smelly, broken down place from which we fled to this gem just up the street. Perhaps it was also great because we had dropped off our pets in a kennel in Pittsburgh. The Marriott's not pet-friendly. But that's about the only bad thing I can say about it. It was perfectly air-conditioned. The room was huge, the beds large. The maids were at our beck and call as was the front desk. At dinner time all we had to do was walk through the lobby into the adjoining Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant, which was the most convenient arrangement possible. What did all this luxury cost? Only $113.85 for a ground floor room for 3, including tax. They had a special holiday discount. They usually cater to businessmen, and they were off for the 4th. Can't I think of anything else even remotely negative about the place? The next morning for breakfast we ate at the Bistro in the lobby. The food wasn't the best. The wait staff was non-existent, and they charged us $37.93 for the privilege. But the rest was so good the place still merits five stars.
Tip: Ground floor rooms are closer to the Bistro and Ruby Tuesday's.