Howard Johnson Clifton Review: Sketchy Vibes, Shockingly Comfy Bed Near American Dream
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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Clifton NJ
680 NJ-3 West, Clifton, NJ 07012
Rating: ♡♡♡ 3 out of 5 hearts
Stay here at your own risk is all I'll say upfront. My partner and I had a somewhat pleasant experience, but based on the reviews I've read, it can get pretty rough if you're unlucky.
Here's the thing: the Google and Booking.com photos are terribly deceiving! This place looks decent for a cheap 3-star hotel in the middle of nowhere, but in person, the rooms look entirely different. I wish I had taken photos, but date night took precedence and then it completely slipped my mind. So let's dive deeper into what you're actually getting, shall we?
Check-In & Check-Out
The evening check-in experience felt pretty sketchy, not going to lie. I'm used to handling incidentals with my card since his mom carries his credit card around (love a man who respects and treats his momma well!). This was the first place that ever needed my ID, not his, for my credit card just to place a hold for incidentals. We do monthly hotel date nights, so that's a lot of hotels under our belt, which is why I can give you these detailed comparisons. It was super strange that this cheap hotel required something the nicer places we've stayed at never asked for.
The daytime experience was completely different though. We had a small incident where my partner left something in the room, and the female concierge working at the time let us come back an hour after checkout to retrieve it. We're truly grateful for that kindness! These things happen, and small items get overlooked sometimes.
Parking Situation
The parking lot is decent sized and free, which works well for a hotel of this size and location. I appreciated being able to keep an eye on our car from our hotel room window.
Room Reality Check
Like I mentioned in the opening, the rooms are very deceiving. Nothing in the room matches anything else. My partner and I had a good laugh about it. He even said, "This is not making the top 5 hotels of where we've stayed at."
The AC takes forever to kick in. The hot water takes quite a while to get hot. The bathroom lighting is dim. But there's a nice full-length mirror, which I definitely appreciated! The TV was great with a lot of channels, which was surprising but very welcome.
Here's the plot twist: this had to be one of the most comfortable beds I've experienced in a hotel room so far. We both agreed the bed was absolutely amazing. We both slept incredibly well, despite the fact that the curtains don't black out enough and you can hear traffic from Route 3 from your room. But it was so comfortable, I genuinely didn't want to leave the bed the next morning. Plus they had this really nice plush blanket that I loved. My partner slept near the AC unit, but I get cold easily so that blanket was perfect for me. It was thin but warm.
You also get a balcony with your room. It's not the best view, but this was the first time we had a balcony included with our stay.
Getting from the check-in desk to your room is absolutely weird and sketchy. It honestly made me feel like I was walking into a restricted area of a mental ward or something. It gave me really strange vibes.
Elevator Experience
These elevators aren't huge. They're warm inside and can feel tight if you're traveling with lots of luggage. I'd say no more than three adults could fit comfortably, and there are only two elevators total.
Affordability Factor
This is definitely a cheap hotel, and that needs to be factored into your expectations when booking. Don't expect luxury. It IS cheap. This is one of the cheapest hotels we've stayed at in the area, but if you're low on funds, it's a complete roll of the dice. You might get a 3-star experience like we did, or you might get a 1-star experience like other reviewers.
The location is really close to American Dream Mall, and it's not as confusing to navigate to and from as some other area hotels. I'm from PA, he's from NJ, and for me the roads can be confusing and overstimulating when I'm driving. I can handle it, but I definitely appreciate his help with directions.
If you're looking for something that won't break your bank, this is it, but definitely be aware it's quite run down and just weird.
Food & Local Options
Like I mentioned, you're right off Route 3, so coming and going is pretty easy. There are lots of great food options you could walk to nearby. We didn't explore the local scene though; we brought back food from Yard House in American Dream Mall.
Getting to the mall is super convenient. We drove about 10 minutes from the mall and arrived at the hotel.
The Bottom Line
Even though I was nervous and skeptical when I walked in, and it gave me serious cheap motel vibes, I'm not mad or upset about our stay. $113 total for one night was money well spent.
Shout out to the woman who works there during the day! Thank you for letting my partner come back and retrieve what he had forgotten. We appreciate you!
This place is a gamble, plain and simple. We got lucky with an incredibly comfortable bed that made up for a lot of the weirdness, but your mileage may vary. If you're budget-conscious and feeling adventurous, go for it. Just keep your expectations appropriately low.
Till Next Time!
~Diana
