Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel

A cursory glance is all it takes to see that the Robert Treat Hotel caters to business travelers. At any given moment, men and women in suits roll suitcases across the lobby, groups host conference calls in the business center, and power lunchers rendezvous in the hotel’s restaurant. There is a constant flurry of activity here, which only multiplies when the Devils are playing or there’s a concert in town. However, this is not to say that the hotel feels crowded or congested. In fact, the constant ebb and flow of guests through the lobby doors looks and feels more like a well oiled machine than a three ring circus. It’s a shame however, that such a historic hotel lacks any kind of historic detailing. Besides a painting of Robert Treat-- the colonial governor who is considered the founder of Newark-- hanging in the lobby, there are no real signs of the hotel’s historical significance anywhere throughout the property. Instead modern furniture and chain-like decor make the lobby, and the rest of the hotel, feel like a bland office building with little charm or personality. Built-in wooden bookshelves hold magazines and wooden chairs surround circular glass tables. 

Well located in downtown Newark, the Robert Treat Hotel is within walking distance to several area businesses and attractions. The only caveat here is that Newark is not the safest place to walk around. While driving or taking a cab is usually the safer option, if walking is unavoidable, pedestrians are advised to stay in large groups in well-lit areas. The beautiful New Jersey Performing Arts Center is across the street from the hotel, while the Prudential Center is about a three-minute drive. Other nearby areas of interest include: 

• Panasonic (two-minute drive) 
• Prudential (three-minute drive) 
• The Newark Museum (four-minute drive) 
• Seton Hall University School of Law (two-minute drive)
• New Jersey Institute of Technology (three-minute drive) 
• Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Campus (six- minute drive) 
• Newark Penn Station (seven-minute drive)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (15-minute drive)
• JFK International Airport (one hour and 20-minute drive)
• LaGuardia International Airport (one hour and 15-minute drive)
• Cape Liberty Cruise Port (30-minute drive)
• New York Penn Station and Midtown Manhattan (35 minute drive)

It should be noted that the BEST WESTERN PLUS Robert Treat Hotel is located in downtown Newark, not at Newark Airport. Travelers looking for an airport hotel may want to check out the BEST WESTERN PLUS Newark Airport West. 

With bland, chain-like decor and typical amenities, rooms at the Robert Treat are fairly standard...this is a Best Western after all. Crisp lines and earth tones make rooms warm and inviting, and most get lots of light from floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city streets. Classic chain-hotel artwork, in this case a picture of a budding flower, hangs from the walls in each room. It's a shame that rooms lack character, considering the historic significance of the property. Flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges are the main in-room amenities; and the well-lit desk space, with a comfortable chair and multiple outlets, might be an added bonus for business travelers. The barebones bathrooms are in no way luxurious, but they’re clean, with plenty of towels, basic toiletries, and shower/tub combos. Guests can request either smoking or non-smoking rooms, but unfortunately even some of the non-smoking variety smell faintly of stale cigarettes. 

For a mid-range hotel, the Robert Treat features a surprising amount of thoughtful amenities. First off, continuously running airport shuttles are a nice feature -- and though rides aren’t free, they’re certainly cheaper than renting a car. Guests who are traveling with cars, however, can park for free in the on-site, gated lot. It should be noted that the parking lot is located on Mulberry Street (at the rear of the hotel), not on Park Place (the hotel's entrance). There is no sign indicating that the lot on Mulberry Street is for hotel guests, so be sure to confirm with the valet upon arrival. The fitness center, business center, and breakfast room, all of which are located one floor below the lobby level, are nicer than one might expect at this price point. The fitness center is relatively large with state of the art Life Fitness equipment. The business center is well equipped with multiple computers, printers, and fax machines, but guests have to pay per use. The breakfast room, with its dark wood tones and sleek light fixtures, feels like a cozy library. Besides a large breakfast display, the well stocked magazine racks and TV monitors with flight information are nice touches. The hotel also has a large ballroom, which is often used for corporate functions and private events.  

The hotel’s on-site restaurant and lounge, Maize, serves New American/Portuguese cuisine in an upscale setting. Maize offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but sees its largest crowd in the evenings, especially prior to NJPAC performances. There is a pre-theatre menu available, and pre-theatre diners are strongly encouraged to make reservations. Guests should note that the free continental breakfast offered by the hotel is not served here. Instead, it can be found in the hotel's breakfast room, one floor below lobby level.