Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands — Hotel in Carlstadt

Summary: The managers care more about their employees than their guests. Good luck if you run into an issue - they will just argue and blame the customer.

Based on the printed bus instructions PROVIDED by the front desk, after walking 12+ miles in NYC, we went to Port Authority to gate 224 to catch the 163 bus back to the hotel. We made sure it was the right gate & bus, and I showed the printed instructions to the bus driver. Once we got to the Hampton, I realized the bus driver was not stopping. Since this was rush hour (6:26 PM), people were standing in the aisle, and we were at the back of the bus. Not being familiar with NJ buses, there was no way to stop the bus or notify the driver (who sits behind a partition).

The bus driver finally stopped at the Fairfield Inn, 1 mile down the road. The road back to the Hampton has no actual sidewalk, and cars go 50+ on this road. Once we started walking, I called the hotel and Dan answered. Rather than apologize or offer ANY solution he argued, and blamed ME for taking the wrong bus. Apparently, the instructions "clearly" state to take the 'Local' bus. (see pic)

While walking along a busy road with no sidewalk & cars zipping by at 50+, I asked Dan to send the airport shuttle to pick us up, but he said no. Since Dan's only training is to repeat the phrase "I'm sorry to hear that, but there's nothing I can do," I hung up and we continued walking.

Once we arrived back to the front desk, I tried to further explain the situation, not knowing I was on a video/audio security camera. Again, Dan's response was: "You took the wrong bus." During our exchange where Dan was not even standing (leaning on a stool), another young female employee was sitting at the other desk. And there was another employee driving the airport shuttle. I later realized that there were three employees working this evening, and not one of them could offer ANY sort of solution to get us transportation back to the hotel.

Despite having a shelf with wine bottles, or a small nook selling food/beverage, Dan couldn't even make a small gesture to apologize with a small gift. He just leaned there and said "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do."

After this whole situation, I called Hilton directly and spoke with two managers, who wrote down my contact info. I also requested to have the manager call me.

The next day, I called the hotel, and asked for Frank Super, but was told he was not there. I then called priceline, and they were able to get a hold of the other manager, Jason. He was immediately on the defensive and stood up for the employees. He went on a tangent about how he wasn't able to get a hold of me, even though I gave all of my info to Hilton, and it's probably under my reservation, especially since I had to get new keys the previous evening. Jason should also know which room I was in because he proceeded to tell me that he watched (and listened) to the security footage from the night before (very creepy).

The phone call with Jason was 95% him talking/defending his employees, 4% letting me talk, and 1% actually trying to 'apologize'. I could barely talk with being told that "1000s of their customers use the buses without issues," and "you should have told the driver to stop." Not being from NJ, I'm not familiar with these buses, and, unless I'm blind, there were no buttons to inform the driver. There were also people standing in the aisle, the bus driver is behind a partition, and you're pretty much just waiting for the bus to stop.

Jason actually commented that Dan did everything right . However, when I told him that I had called Dan earlier, and he argued with me, and blamed me, his tone changed - he might have realized that he didn't have the whole story.

After getting more frustrated, and getting blamed (by another person) for not using the right bus, Jason said he would consider updating the hotel's bus instructions. His only offer was Hilton honors points (worthless to me). Although I am planning on returning to NYC in the future, I know I won't be staying at this...

This is our second time staying at this hotel.  Overall it is very nice and kept pretty clean.  And the location is fantastic for anyone wishing to visit NYC and not wanting the hassle of dealing with driving into Manhattan with your own vehicle.  Not only would that be incredibly stressful, but it's also very expensive when you factor in tolls and parking charges (if you can find any near where you're heading).  Directly across the street from the hotel is the NJ Transit bus stop where you can ride round trip for $10.30 per adult.  Buses are pretty frequent and for most routes this is the last stop before the NYC Port Authority bus terminal, and the first stop on the way back as well - super convenient!

We never get up in time for the included breakfast so I can't speak to that, but I'm sure it's the standard fare for "free" hotel breakfasts.  The rooms themselves are quite nice - very clean with a nicely working mini-fridge (as opposed to many places where the fridge never gets cold enough).  The beds could be a little softer for my preference, but the linens are clean and everything is comfortable overall. The bathroom has plenty of counter space, and a very nice shower - although one critique we have is that the shower pressure is actually way too high.  It can actually be somewhat painful if you stay in there too long, unless you like that sort of thing.  There's also a good amount of countertop and desk space - convenient for doing work or putting luggage on top of.  And also plenty of electrical and USB outlets for charging purposes.

Unfortunately, on this particular stay we did experience some issues whereby the level of customer service we would normally expect was definitely not up to par.  Some of it had to do with housekeeping.  Even without daily housekeeping service being the norm, it should be relatively easy to get a clean swap of bath towels upon request.  When it did happen, we were only given 3 sets of towels and repeatedly had to ask for a 4th.  (One would assume that a 2-queen bedroom setup would automatically call for 4 sets of bathroom towels as the default - apparently not here).  One time our request for fresh towels was ignored altogether.  And even when successful you would think that an obviously overflowing trash can in the bathroom would be easy to spot and remedy, but this was also not the case as it never got emptied the three nights we stayed there.  Doing a quick check for trash, having the toilet paper replenished, and getting fresh towels (especially upon request) shouldn't be that hard to achieve.

An even bigger issue we experienced was that one of the ladies at the front desk was quite rude (I didn't catch her name but it was a black lady with either a very short or bald hairstyle).  And this was on more than one occasion on different days, where it seemed like having to respond to a guest was a complete bother to her.  Perhaps we caught her on a bad week, but as one of the front desk representatives of your hotel, it would behoove you to have staff in that position with even a basic amount of customer service focus and friendliness.  This is not the type of thing I usually bother with (or even like having to mention) in a review - and most reviewers would give a much lower overall star rating than this.  But with guests spending hundreds of dollars per night to stay here, this type of attitude should be considered unacceptable.  I've worked in various customer service positions for decades, and would never think of treating someone in this type of curt, rude manner.  Thankfully, the other employees were not this way, and I'll still give this hotel the benefit of the doubt if we do end up staying here again.  It really is a nice clean hotel in a very convenient location to access the American Dream Mall, MetLife Stadium, and...

I don't have access to real-time data or the ability to provide specific reviews for individual hotels, including the Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands. However, I can create a fictional positive review based on common features and experiences typically associated with the Hampton Inn chain.

The Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands is a true gem in the hospitality landscape, offering a delightful stay and a myriad of amenities that cater to both business and leisure travelers. Located in a prime area, this hotel provides a comfortable and convenient experience for visitors.

Upon arrival, the warm and welcoming ambiance sets the tone for an excellent stay. The check-in process is efficient, and the staff is known for their friendly and accommodating nature. Their commitment to exceptional service ensures guests feel valued and attended to from the moment they step through the doors.

The rooms at Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands are often spacious, clean, and thoughtfully designed, providing a cozy retreat for guests. The comfortable beds, crisp linens, and well-appointed furnishings contribute to a relaxing atmosphere, allowing guests to unwind and recharge after a day of activities or work.

One of the standout features of this hotel is the complimentary hot breakfast served each morning. The variety and quality of the offerings, including fresh fruits, pastries, and hot items, make for a satisfying start to the day. Additionally, the availability of on-the-go breakfast options caters to guests with busy schedules.

The amenities at the hotel often exceed expectations. The fitness center, equipped with modern machines, allows guests to maintain their workout routine while traveling. The indoor pool provides a refreshing way to relax or exercise, adding an extra dimension to the stay. Moreover, the business center and free Wi-Fi facilitate productivity for business travelers.

For those hosting events or meetings, the hotel's conference facilities are often well-equipped and ideal for various gatherings. The attentive staff ensures that events run smoothly, making it a popular choice for corporate meetings or social gatherings.

The location of Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands is another advantage. Whether guests are attending events at the nearby Meadowlands Sports Complex, exploring New York City, or visiting local attractions, the hotel's proximity makes it a convenient base for travelers.

The hotel's commitment to cleanliness and safety measures, especially in line with recent health concerns, reassures guests of a secure and hygienic environment throughout their stay.

While individual experiences may vary, the overall positive attributes often associated with the Hampton Inn brand include consistent quality, exceptional service, and a focus on guest comfort and satisfaction. These factors contribute to an enjoyable and memorable stay at Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The...