New Jersey’s 10 Most Impressive Luxury Hotels

Whether you’re intending on going on vacation in NJ or are embarking on a business trip and want to experience the very best in service and facilities, check out this list before you confirm a booking and you’ll be sure to make the right decision.

1) The Water Club – Atlantic City

Opened in June 2008 to the tune of $400 million, this elegant and sophisticated 800 room boutique hotel is simply perfect for those seeking to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Atlantic City while maintaining a cool distance from the heat of the action. A lot of its serenity comes from it being aimed at an adult clientele, which is why children are not allowed in its five heated swimming pools or the incredibly picturesque Immersion spa that provides stunning views of the harbour from the 32^nd floor. Sorry kids, but your absence makes for a far calmer experience for everyone else and, along with award-winning room service, retails stores including Hugo Boss, Fixation and Just Cavalli, and fantastic bar, helps make for a stay that’s truly relaxing, invigorating and rewarding. Located well away from the shore but just a few steps from the attached Borgata Hotel and Casino and so able it share its restaurants, casino and nightlife, The Water Club certainly features a wonderful resort-like feel that should be experienced at least once.

2) Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson

Positioned for easy access to New York City as well as to provide truly glorious views of the Hudson River, Manhattan skyline, and Statue of Liberty, this charming and distinctive Jersey City waterfront hotel features everything you could expect from a luxurious stay in The Big Apple, but without luxurious Big Apple prices. Whether visiting NYC for business of pleasure you’ll find that you’re only a short PATH train journey or ferry ride away from where you want to be, but as the Hyatt Regency’s prime location means that enjoying its indoor pool, 24-hour fitness centre, restaurant, lounge, outdoor terrace and promenade also means enjoying panoramic vistas, you may be tempted to stay put. The consistently impressive views are definitely its greatest feature, but alongside them you’ll find a quality of care, attention to detail, and excellent amenities that will make your stay in one of the its 351 spacious guestrooms deeply memorable.  Expect to spend a lot of time taking photographs.

3) The Peacock Inn – Princeton

Nestled snugly away in downtown Princeton, this delightfully evocative and beautifully maintained colonial mansion offers a smaller-scale luxury hotel experience that makes for a warmer, more welcoming and intimate break.  Featuring just 16 classically designed yet modern rooms, it won’t swamp you with hundreds of other guests and so you can guarantee that you’ll enjoy a more personal touch. It also doesn’t feature swimming pools, saunas, shopping centres or gymnasiums, or any other such amenities found in far larger establishments, and so can appear more comparable to a high quality bed & breakfast than anything that attempts to compete with bigger competition.   What it does have, however, aside from high-end accommodation and service, is a restaurant that serves magnificently sublime cuisine courtesy of Executive Chef Manuel Perez and that has been recognised as being one of the top restaurants on all of New Jersey. The Peacock Inn has won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence multiple times too, and so if you’re travelling around the Garden State on a quest for the finest food, drink, and top-tier comfort then you’d be recommended to consider what it has to offer.

4) Congress Hall – Cape May

Built in 1816, and then rebuilt in 1879 after a fire demonstrated why the original wooden structure could do with being replaced with bricks and mortar, this one-time boarding house has since survived over 130 years to become America’s oldest seaside resort. As its name might suggest, it was once used by President’s of the United States like James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Harrison (who loved the place so much he made it his official Summer White House) and it still makes for an impressive site that dominates the nearby sandy beach, and that positively creaks with history. That’s a lot to do with some quaintly uneven floorboards, of course, but mostly down to how the still rather sizable building has held onto much of its Victorian charm while offering many modern touches and conveniences. You could take the elevator down from your room before leaving to recline by the swimming pool, but you’ll be severely tempted to stride down the two-stage staircase in grander style.

5) W Hoboken

Like the Hyatt Regency, this Hoboken hotel enjoys a prime waterfront location and gorgeous views of Manhattan’s skyline, as well as swift access to all the sights, sounds and smells of New York City without paying top dollar for quality accommodation, so why not save money and then hire a limousine for an evening to hit the town it super style? W Hoboken also offers a far trendier Living Room bar and Zylo Italian-restaurant, so if you’ve got a taste for fine cocktails and Tuscan fare and desire a hotel that’s that little bit more modern, forward-facing and lively, then the hotel needs to be on your list. It’s recently adopted the new SPG Keyless technology, and so with the SPG app downloaded you’ll be able to check in, get your room number, and even be able to unlock your room’s door just by using your mobile phone. Just don’t lose your phone. Glamorous enough to not be overly-showy and just in love with technology to not be overly-geeky, it also features quality spa and gym facilities and will undoubtedly provide an excellent base for your operations no matter how adventurous you intend to be.

6) The Wilshire Grand Hotel – West Orange

A hotel could be furnished with all the finest amenities known to humanity, but they’ll often not mean a thing to anyone who wants enjoy their vacation alongside their dearly beloved pet. Thankfully, unlike many New Jersey’s hotels, The Wilshire is extremely pet friendly and so as long as your furry friend weighs in at less than 35 pounds you can be sure that (as long as they’re not an absolute mini-monster) you’ll be able to bring them with you. This also means that if you suffer from animal allergies you may want to consider a different location for your time away from home, which would be a shame as this one features a spacious yet cosy lounge area complete with an open fire and plush sofas, 24 hour business centre, a Zagat-rated Italian restaurant and bar but, more importantly, is perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy local golf, tennis and track sporting facilities and the hotel’s fully- featured Fitness Centre.

7) Bungalow Hotel – Long Branch

You’ll find this deliciously eccentric and not-too conscientiously arty get away in Pier Village, just a handful of moments away from glorious beaches and the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean. Designed by celebrated husband and wife team Courtney and Robert Novogratz, who own highly respected interior design company Sixx Design, the place certainly has its own playful look throughout that manages to somehow be random and eclectic while simultaneously together and formulated. Spent too much time thinking about what it all might mean and it you might go crazy, so it’s probably best to just let the unique surfer vibe wash over you, and enjoy the comfort of its rooms that all feature king sized beds, fireplaces, kitchenettes, and just a little touch of genius. Despite The Bungalow Hotel’s youthful and energetic appearance it’s actually meant for slightly older people, so if you’re 23 years of age or younger you won’t be able to make a booking. You’ll be welcome to stay, but only with a parent or guardian.

8) Blue Bay Inn – Atlantic Highlands

Featuring a population of only a few thousand souls, Atlantic Highlands is a great place to be if you want to enjoy a truly small waterfront town feel. It’s also home to the remarkably splendid Blue Bay Inn and its impressively large suites, furnishings, and distinctive design flourishes. Combine the two and you’ve got a delightful vacation destination and one that keeps you close to local shops, bars and restaurants and just two blocks from the Seastreak Ferry that can take you to New York in 40 minutes. But why would you want to venture to the big city when the local downtown area is so cute, the nearby marina so beautiful, and you’re staying in a wonderfully quaint and cheery hotel? You’ll certainly appreciate having the option, but would be advised to spend at least a day relaxing by the ocean and white wooden buildings, and well away from the usual holiday spot hullabaloo.  

9) Lambertville House Hotel – Lambertville

The Lambertville House Hotel has stood for over 200 years, which explains in some way why many of its beautiful areas might remind you of locations from 19^th century romantic novels. For much of that time its 26 rooms didn’t feature jetted tubs and gas fireplaces, of course, but they certainly do now and so all provide that extra touch that increases your sense of comfort. Try treating yourself to a room with private balcony so you can blissfully while away long summer evenings, sipping wine and watching as the locals go about their business. Indeed, the Lambertville’s Lounge and Restaurant both offer immensely delightful outside areas that automatically add a sense of romance to any situation. Incredibly handy for the unspoiled countryside of Bucks County and its potential for hiking, biking, kayaking and nature watching, it’s a hotel that’s ideal for an escape from hectic urban lives and provides an all embracing sense of warmth and wellbeing.

10) Westminster Hotel – Livingston

This AAA Four Diamond hotel is remarkably popular with those celebrating the occasion of their wedding day as well as Fortune 500 companies looking for an ideal venue for their conferences, but don’t let that put you off if you don’t fall into either category. It’s also expertly tuned to satisfy the requirements of anyone looking to unwind and enjoy their stay in a place that’s impressively stylish and undoubtedly luxurious. Featuring a first class spa and spa services to match, indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and state-of-the-art fitness centre, you’ll find that the Westminster is equipped to help you deal with guilt you may have after overly indulging during an evening in the hotel’s associated ‘Strip House’ in-house steakhouse, bar and lounge. You may well go easy on the meat and the cocktails, but it’s doubtful you’ll be able to resist the legendary chocolate cake and its 24 layers of pure indulgence.