United Airways put us up in this hotel after a delayed flight led to a missed connection. Instead of transiting Newark en route to San Jose, we had to exit through security – a lengthy experience despite being "fast tracked". After the "finger printing" , we had to wait whilst the border guard undertook a page by page examination of our passports and gave us a reasonably good natured grilling over our recent visit to Egypt. Finding UA customer service desk to collect our accommodation and food vouchers was a challenge, as was making our way from the terminal to the hotel shuttle bus stop via the train.
We must have just missed the previous hotel bus and we stood around for nearly half an hour in sub zero temperatures whilst buses from other hotel chains came and went with remarkable frequency. We could have waited inside but it became a trial leaping in and out to check the destination of each and every bus. I was about to telephone for a taxi when the Ramada Plaza bus finally turned up and we all squeezed on board. Had I realised the hotel was next to the Hilton Doubletree, I would have hitched a ride on one of their many earlier buses!
Check in was swift. Our room was cozy and warm as a blow heater had been left on for us. There were two queen sized beds, a fridge, coffeemaker, and lovely fluffy towels. The decor was a bit shabby but we just needed somewhere to rest or weary heads. It was late and we had to check out at 04.30 the following morning so we used our $28 dollars worth of food and drink vouchers on a couple of large beers in the friendly bar, surrounded by other travellers telling tales of missed flights, "bumping" and over bookings. We slept well that night.
Check out was also swift but we were alarmed by the queue of fellow guests waiting for the first bus – it was clear we would not all fit on and i was preparing for an undignified scramble! Fortunately, amidst the melee that ensued upon the bus's arrival, we discovered they had laid on two additional buses, ensuring we all left on time. Overall, this was a good place to stay and, of course, better than a night on the floor of an airport lounge.
