Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island

In the spectrum of Hampton Inns, this is a relatively modern outpost with a decent amount of homey style. The lobby is clean and classy, with cream-colored tile floors, wood pillars, and a wooden front desk. A gas fireplace is flanked by a couple of armchairs, while the adjacent breakfast room offers more seating with an array of high- and low-top marble tables as well as sofas and colorfully patterned armchairs. This bright space is decorated with stylish black-and-white photographs of horses as well as horse figurines and sculptures, a nod to the hotel's past, as the land that it stands on used to be a horse stable. Star-shaped lights hang from the high ceiling, adding a whimsical touch. Clientele at this property varies greatly and includes families, solo commuters, and business groups.

This Hampton Inn is located in a secluded area of business offices in Staten Island, two minutes south of Interstate 278. The only place of interest within easy walking distance is the Hilton Garden Inn, which is a quick walk across the parking lot, where guests often go for the bar, restaurant, and events. The location is convenient for access to and from Newark International Airport, which is less than 20 minutes away. St. George, one of Staten island's main hubs and where there are some quaint restaurants and shops, is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, as are the island's beaches. It is about a 35- to 45-minute drive to lower Manhattan, though this depends on traffic. The hotel offers a shuttle bus to the Staten Island Ferry, which docks in St. George and provides access to lower Manhattan in about 25 minutes. Expect drives up to an hour to reach JFK or Laguardia Airports. 

As is customary at Hampton Inn properties, beds contain a friendly note stating that the room has been freshly cleaned. This welcoming gesture is accentuated by pale curtains, hooded lamps, and framed prints offering a homey and modern design scheme -- there's thankfully no ornate headboards here, and furniture has dark wood veneer finishes with clean lines. All rooms come with modern LCD TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee machines, and free Wi-Fi access. Suites offer more space and have sitting areas that include sofa beds and coffee tables, plus some have whirlpool tubs. Bathrooms are spacious with large vanity areas and either large stand-up showers or shower/tub combos.

The hotel has an indoor pool with a few lounge chairs set up by large windows overlooking an outdoor patio area, where guests can be found sunning during the summer months. There's also a fitness room that contains a good variety of free weights and a small selection of modern treadmills and weight machines. Business travelers are catered to with a meeting room as well as a business center, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. A free breakfast buffet is served daily in the bright and cheery breakfast room and includes eggs and bacon. Coffee and tea are available in the lobby at all hours and there is a convenience store selling snacks, drinks, and travel necessities. The hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from the Staten Island Ferry Station as well as Newark Airport, but some guests complain that it's unreliable and infrequent.