Extended Stay America Suites Ramsey Upper Saddle River

This hotel is often chosen for its kitchenette-equipped rooms, providing a convenient option for guests who prefer to prepare their own meals. However, a pervasive issue highlighted by many guests is the presence of strong, unpleasant odors throughout the property, including smoke, marijuana, and general foul smells, which significantly detract from the stay. Despite this, the staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, professionalism, and helpfulness, often going above and beyond to assist guests. While some rooms are described as spotless, cleanliness and room comfort are highly inconsistent, with numerous reports of dirty conditions and uncomfortable beds. The hotel's pet-friendly policy is a notable feature, making it suitable for travelers with pets. It appeals to extended stay guests and budget-conscious travelers seeking self-catering options. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to confirm the availability of kitchen utensils upon arrival and be prepared for potential strong odors in common areas and rooms.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers kitchenettes in its rooms, featuring a full-size fridge, microwave, and sink, which is a significant draw for guests planning longer stays or those who prefer to cook. However, guests frequently note that basic items like pots, pans, utensils, dish detergent, and sponges are not provided in the room and must be requested from the front desk. The laundry room on the premises is a convenient amenity for many. While free Wi-Fi is available, some guests report issues with its reliability and speed. The elevator is a recurring point of concern, with multiple reports of it being out of service, causing inconvenience, especially for guests with heavy luggage. Ample free parking is available, though some guests mention the parking lot can be noisy. There are also reports of a lack of ice machines, and the in-room televisions are sometimes described as old with limited channels.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
A major and frequently cited concern is the pervasive presence of unpleasant odors throughout the hotel, including smoke, marijuana, stale, damp, and curry smells, which often extend into the rooms despite non-smoking policies. Cleanliness is highly inconsistent; while some rooms are described as spotless, many guests report filthy conditions, including dirty floors that leave feet black, black mold in showers, errant hairs, dust, and even roaches. Issues like stained carpets and uncleaned bathtubs are also mentioned. The beds are a common source of complaint, with many guests finding them uncomfortable, hard, or squeaky, leading to back pain and poor sleep. Pillows are often described as small and uncomfortable, and blankets as thin. Rooms frequently show signs of wear, with outdated furniture and non-working outlets. Noise from the highway, neighbors, and frequent fire alarms also impacts comfort. Furthermore, many rooms lack basic amenities like shampoo, soap, coffee makers, cups, and sufficient toilet paper.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast offering is consistently described as very minimal and a "grab and go" style, often disappointing guests expecting a more substantial meal. The available options typically include packaged muffins (with some reports of mold), Nutri-Grain bars, granola bars, and oatmeal packets. Coffee is usually provided, but guests frequently report that it runs out early, tastes poor, or lacks accompanying sugar. There are also mentions of limited tea options and issues with hot water availability. Many guests find the breakfast insufficient, especially given the lack of a dedicated seating area, forcing them to take items back to their rooms or eat in the lobby. Some guests note that the food items are often gone well before the official end time for breakfast service, leaving late risers with very few choices.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is generally considered convenient, being easy to access directly off the highway and close to various shopping centers, a mall, and restaurants, some of which offer delivery services. For those looking to visit New York City, the hotel provides reasonable accessibility, though it typically involves a drive to a train station for onward travel. However, its position on a very busy road (Route 17) presents challenges, with guests noting difficulty entering and exiting due to heavy traffic and median configurations. This busy road also contributes to noise levels, particularly for rooms facing the highway. Furthermore, the hotel's visibility from the road is often poor, with reports of the sign being hidden by trees or a general lack of clear signage, making it hard to locate at night. Free parking is available and generally ample, though some guests mention the parking lot can be noisy.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, professionalism, and accommodating nature. Many guests highlight specific front desk personnel and managers for their exceptional service, often describing them as going above and beyond to assist. The check-in process generally receives positive feedback for being quick, though some guests report significant issues with late check-ins, including being forced to wait due to system limitations or encountering rude staff. A recurring point of concern is housekeeping, with numerous complaints about rooms not being cleaned daily (some guests were informed cleaning occurs only every two weeks) and a lack of fresh towels or basic amenities being provided without explicit requests. While staff are often willing to help, the maintenance response to issues like broken fixtures or non-working appliances can be slow. Overall, while the staff's positive attitude is a strong asset, the inconsistency in housekeeping and maintenance services is a notable area for improvement.

Additional Information
The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, which is a significant advantage for guests traveling with animals, though a daily fee is typically applied. Some pet owners note challenges in finding suitable outdoor areas nearby. A frequent and frustrating issue reported by guests is overbooking, where confirmed reservations are sometimes not honored, leading to guests being turned away upon arrival, often late at night, with no alternative solutions offered. Concerns about security are also raised, including reports of outside doors being propped open, questionable individuals in common areas, and a general feeling of unease. The hotel has a payment policy requiring credit cards for stays less than a week. Many guests utilize the hotel for long-term stays, indicating it caters to this market. Guests should also be aware that there is no room service and no luggage storage available.