La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clifton/Rutherford

This hotel is widely praised for its pet-friendly policy and its strategic location, making it a convenient choice for various travelers. Its proximity to major attractions and transit options positions it as an ideal base for families visiting local entertainment venues, concert-goers attending events, and sightseers exploring both New Jersey and New York City. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's overall cleanliness and the helpfulness of its staff, contributing to a comfortable stay. While most guests find the accommodations pleasant, some note issues with noise levels and breakfast variety. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room away from the highway to minimize noise, and it's advisable to confirm the pool's operational status if it's a key amenity for your visit.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. A notable feature is the indoor swimming pool, which is frequently enjoyed by guests, particularly families, though some have reported it being closed for maintenance or having issues with water temperature or chlorine levels. A fitness center is available for guests to maintain their routines. For quick needs, a mini-store is located in the lobby, though some guests find its prices to be high. While free Wi-Fi is provided, a few guests experienced poor connection quality. Other conveniences include ice machines on each floor and vending machines. Elevators have been described as old, scratched, and sometimes noisy. Free parking is ample and widely appreciated by guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the cleanliness of the rooms and the hotel overall, often describing them as well-maintained and fresh. Rooms are generally found to be spacious, offering ample space for families. Feedback on beds is mixed; while many find them comfortable with plenty of pillows, some describe them as too hard or note noisy metal bases. Bathrooms receive varied comments, with some being spacious and well-appointed, while others are described as small, lacking ventilation fans, or having issues like rusty fixtures, broken doors, slippery showers, or low toilets. Noise is a significant recurring issue, stemming from highway traffic, hallways, noisy air conditioning units, and even refrigerators. In-room amenities typically include a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Some guests reported issues with TVs not working or lacking streaming options, and a few noted the presence of dust, hair, stains on bedding, mold in bathrooms, or even pests like roaches, ants, or mice.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel provides a complimentary breakfast that is a significant draw for many guests. The breakfast variety typically includes hot options like scrambled eggs and sausage, along with waffles, cereals, bread, bagels, yogurt, and fruit. While many appreciate the convenience and the effort to keep items stocked, some guests find the food quality to be inconsistent, describing the eggs as rubbery or the overall selection as repetitive, especially during longer stays. There are occasional reports of items running out or a lack of fresh fruit. The breakfast area can become crowded, leading to queues. A major convenience is the attached Red Robin restaurant, which offers a diverse menu and a 10% discount for hotel guests, providing a reliable dining option without leaving the property.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a primary advantage, offering excellent accessibility to key attractions and transportation. It is conveniently situated just a 5 to 10-minute drive from the American Dream Mall, a major entertainment complex, and is also very close to MetLife Stadium, making it ideal for concert-goers and sports fans. For those looking to explore New York City, the hotel is near a bus stop that provides a direct route to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, typically a 20 to 30-minute ride. The hotel's proximity to major highways ensures easy access for drivers, though this can also contribute to traffic noise. Nearby amenities include a Target store and various other shopping and dining options. Free parking is available and plentiful, adding to the convenience for guests traveling by car.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests specifically commend the housekeeping staff for their thoroughness and the breakfast crew for their attentiveness in keeping the dining area clean and stocked. The check-in and check-out processes are often described as quick and easy. However, feedback regarding the front desk staff is mixed; while many found them welcoming and accommodating, some guests reported instances of unfriendliness, unhelpfulness, or a lack of empathy, particularly when addressing booking issues or complaints. Some guests also experienced issues with security personnel's approach to noise complaints, with reports of escalated situations. The hotel's pet-friendly service is consistently highlighted as a positive aspect of the staff's accommodating nature.

Additional Information
A significant point for guests to note is the hotel's pet-friendly policy, which is highly valued by those traveling with animals. However, guests should be aware that the indoor swimming pool is subject to frequent and sometimes unannounced closures for maintenance or construction, which can be disappointing for families who chose the hotel specifically for this amenity. The property has undergone renovations in recent years, with some areas appearing updated while others still show signs of age. Some guests reported issues with unexplained charges or difficulties extending their stays due to booking discrepancies. There have also been reports of strong odors, including marijuana, in hallways, despite the hotel's no-smoking policy. Guests should be prepared for potential noise management challenges, as some reviews mention loud guests and ineffective security responses to disturbances.