Escape to the Super 8 Mahwah: Your NJ Getaway Awaits!
Escape to the Super 8 Mahwah: My NJ Getaway - A Review (and a Rant!)
Okay, so, I needed a break. Like, really needed a break. Life was a dumpster fire of deadlines and lukewarm coffee, and the thought of another Zoom meeting made me want to spontaneously combust. So, I booked a room at the Super 8 in Mahwah, NJ. "A getaway," I told myself, practically salivating at the prospect of… nothing. Let's see, let's see… where do I even begin? It was… an experience. Let's put it that way.
SEO & Metadata (because the robots need feeding):
- Keywords: Super 8 Mahwah, New Jersey Hotels, Mahwah Hotels, Affordable Hotels, NJ Getaway, Accessible Hotels, Free Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Cleanliness, Safety, Family-Friendly, Restaurants, Super 8 Reviews, Mahwah Travel.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Super 8 Mahwah. Features accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining options, and overall experience. Is this NJ getaway worth it? Find out!
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible: They say they are. Look, I didn't actually need a wheelchair, but I did take a quick peek around. There were ramps, and the hallways seemed wide enough. Of course, "wheelchair accessible" in hotel-speak can sometimes mean "mostly accessible, with a few minor hurdles." So, take that with a grain of salt.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above. Potential, but I'd call ahead and REALLY quiz them.
- Elevator: Yes! Thank God. My legs are weary enough from carrying around the burden of adulting.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges:
- Hmm. There's a vague mention of a "breakfast area." Let's call it a glorified pantry with some pre-packaged stuff. More on that disaster later. No lounges to speak of. Just… the lobby. Which felt a bit, well, lonely.
Internet, Internet, Internet! (And Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!):
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: THANK. GOD. Seriously. The internet was… mostly functional? There were moments of glorious, lightning-fast connectivity, followed by frustrating periods of buffering and pixelation that made me want to throw my laptop out the window. (Which, let's be honest, is a daily temptation.)
- Internet [LAN]: Ah, the relic of a bygone era. Is this even a thing anymore? I think I saw a port for one, but I didn't bother. Wireless is my jam.
- Internet services: They offered internet. That's about it.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Same story as the rooms. Hit or miss. Prepare for some online purgatory.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (or, the Attempt Thereof):
- Fitness center: I think there was one. My brain blocked out the memory. Probably some treadmills, a dusty elliptical, and a weight rack from the 1980s. I skipped it. My definition of "fitness" on this trip involved successfully navigating the breakfast buffet.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: YES! A glimmer of hope! It was… okay. A bit small, a bit chlorinated, but hey, a pool is a pool. I managed to actually swim for about an hour before the sun dipped behind the trees and the water turned… chilly.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna: None of the fancy stuff. This is a Super 8, people! Manage your expectations.
- Gym/fitness: See Fitness Center.
- Ways to relax: Uh… try not to think about your overflowing email inbox? That's the best I've got.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because we all worry, right?):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: Okay, they did seem to take cleanliness seriously. I saw staff wielding spray bottles and wiping down surfaces. Everything looked… mostly clean. I appreciated the little packet of hand sanitizer by the door. The room itself… was fine, but not immaculate. You could tell it had been cleaned, but it had that slightly-worn-around-the-edges vibe that comes with a busy hotel.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient. Didn't have to awkwardly dig around for crumpled bills.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Good to know, just in case.
- Safe dining setup: See "Dining, drinking, and snacking" below.
- Shared stationery removed: Honestly, I wouldn't have used it anyway, but fine.
- Sterilizing equipment: Not sure I saw this, but I appreciated the effort.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Felt pretty safe, which is a BIG plus. The front desk staff were always present, and the security measures seemed adequate.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I did not opt out. I'm not a monster.
- Shared stationery removed: Who uses stationery anymore?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Absolute Low Point):
- Breakfast [buffet]: Oh boy. This is where the "escape" started to feel more like a hostage situation. Imagine a sad, beige landscape of pre-packaged muffins, dry cereal, and the most artificial-tasting scrambled eggs I've ever encountered. The coffee tasted like dishwater. Let's just say, I powered through it out of sheer desperation.
- Breakfast service: It was there. Technically.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Bar, Bottle of water, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Nope. Nada. Zilch. Stick to the gas-station snacks and pray you find a decent diner nearby.
- Essential condiments: Yes, the sad ketchup packets.
Services and Conveniences (The Bare Minimum, Honestly):
- Air conditioning in public area: Yep. It worked.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Let's see… the check-in/out was contactless. That was a win. Daily housekeeping was… well, they showed up. Otherwise, it was the basics.
- Daily housekeeping: They showed up.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't see any kids, which was a blessing.
Available in all rooms (The nitty-gritty – what exactly do you get when you open the door?):
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Okay. Let's be honest: the room was fine. The bed was… okay. The TV worked. There were enough towels. The coffee maker was a joke. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in. The Wi-Fi worked (mostly). The air conditioning kept the room at a comfortable seventy degrees. It was… a
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this Super 8 itinerary in Mahwah, NJ, is gonna be less "polished travel blogger" and more "surviving a slightly-above-average Tuesday." Here goes nothing:
Day 1: Arrival and the Illusion of Control
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Okay, so the flight wasn't smooth. Let's just say there was a rogue toddler who REALLY enjoyed screaming directly into my ear for the first hour. I swear, I considered swapping seats with a flight attendant, just for the peace. Anyway, finally, landed! Grabbed my sad little rental car - a beige sedan, the kind that screams "I'm here reluctantly."
- 2:30 PM: GPS: "Turn left." Me: "But I want to turn right!" GPS: "Turn left." Fine. The drive to Mahwah was… well, it was a drive. Lots of highway. Lots of trucks. This is definitely where I want to be, right?
- 3:30 PM: Checked into the Super 8. The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and… what is that? That's the smell of a place where the water is treated and it's not bad. The room? Surprisingly adequate. Nothing fancy. Decent bed. A working shower (a MUST). I was too tired to do any real research, so this is what I got. I'm a sucker for those little individual soap bars that always melt before you get to use them all. Maybe I can finally get to that dream of being a hotel soap collector.
- 4:00 PM: Unpacked. Or, rather, dumped my suitcase onto the bed and sighed dramatically. My life is a movie, and this is the "unpacking scenes are filled with existential dread" act. Decided to try the wifi, hoping to start researching what I was supposed to do here. A prompt to download a free VPN popped up so I could be "safer." I thought about how to avoid a virus. I guess I'll do that later.
- 5:00 PM: Started looking for a restaurant. Yelp led me to a place called "The Rail." Sounded promising (and close). The actual rail? Not a thing.
- 6:00 PM: "The Rail": I sat at a booth, and a very nice waitress named Sue came over. I really wanted to talk, but I was too tired. The food was edible. The company? Well, I was there solo. The music was a little loud, and I got very distracted. I definitely watched a couple get into a fight. That's what it's really about, right?
- 7:30 PM: Back at the Super 8. Thought about calling my mom. Ended up watching some reruns of Hoarders because, y'know, self-care.
- 9:30 PM: Attempted to sleep. My brain decided this was the perfect time to rehash every single awkward conversation I’ve ever had. Ugh.
Day 2: Embrace the Absurdity
- 7:00 AM: Woke up feeling like a crumpled tissue. The motel continental "breakfast"? Let's just say the waffles looked like waffles but tasted vaguely of sadness and regret. Chugged lukewarm coffee from a Styrofoam cup. At least there were those little single-serving butter tubs.
- 8:00 AM: Decided to go somewhere. The Ramapo Reservation was suggested, so that's where I went. Got lost. Twice. This is not something that often happens, but here we are. I ended up on a hiking trail meant for the hardcore. The trail had lots of rocks, roots, and a general disregard for my limited athletic abilities. I think I saw a deer. I'm pretty sure it was judging me.
- 10:00 AM: Back at the hotel to change. I was sore and covered in questionable-looking leaves. Tried to figure out why on Earth I thought hiking was a good idea in the first place, and I think I landed on "escape."
- 11:00 AM: Lunch at a local diner. I swear, I felt like I was transported back to the 1950s. The waitress, a woman named Carol with beehive hair and a perfectly timed deadpan delivery, was my everything. I got the impression that she had seen every kind of human on Earth. The perfect diner setting: coffee, hot food that’s ready right now, and the smell of good, clean food.
- 1:00 PM: I thought I'd finally get around to doing something productive, but I ended up just watching TV. The power of that remote is not to be messed with.
- 3:00 PM: I really wanted to experience more of Mahwah, but more than anything, I was ready to sit in front of the TV again. Is that a problem? I don't care.
- 6:00 PM: My stomach was making noises that could wake the dead, so I took a chance on the nearest fast-food joint. I won't say what it was, but let's just say my salad choices were either "ranch" or "ranch-ish."
- 7:00 PM: Back in the room, staring at the tiny bottles of shampoo. I felt a wave of the world crashing down.
- 8:00 PM: The evening was spent the same way as the night before. I started to miss myself, and the old me. Then I thought, "Who am I?"
- 11:00 PM: Sleep was good. Quiet, and peaceful.
Day 3: Escape and (Maybe) Learn Something
- 8:00 AM: Decided to skip the motel "breakfast" this time. Sanity prevailed. I even felt good!
- 9:00 AM: Decided to find something completely different. I went to a local bookstore, a place called "Page After Page." I spent an hour leafing through books. I found a new favorite author. I even bought one. I felt happy.
- 10:00 AM: Headed back to the room to sit.
- 11:00 AM: The world started to crumble again, and the thought of getting back on the road started dancing around in my brain.
- 12:00 PM: I packed my bags. I left that motel.
- 1:00 PM: Back at the airport. That toddler's parents were very nice. That toddler was also very loud.
- 2:00 PM: The flight was ready. I sat down.
Final Thoughts:
Mahwah, NJ. Huh. It wasn't the most glamorous trip, but, you know what? It was real. And sometimes, in the midst of the slightly-smelly motel rooms, the slightly-less-than-stellar food, and the occasional existential crisis, you find something. Maybe it’s a good diner waitress, or a good book. Or, maybe, just maybe, you find a tiny piece of yourself that you forgot was there. Anyway, I'm still kind of confused, but I'm also back home. So that counts for something, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go unpack and try to forget the screaming toddler.
Topeka Getaway: Baymont Wyndham's Unbeatable Topeka Deal!
Escape to the Super 8 Mahwah: Your NJ Getaway Awaits! (or Does It?) - FAQs
Okay, spill the tea: Is this Super 8 *really* a good getaway? Like, is it a *real* escape?
Alright, let's be real, alright? "Escape" is a strong word. It's not like you're waking up on a tropical beach, you know? I mean, Mahwah, NJ, isn't exactly known for its... well, its *romance*. But! Hear me out. It *could* be an escape. It depends. It depends on what you're escaping *from*. Stuck in a soul-crushing office job? Then yeah, even a Super 8 is gonna feel like a breath of fresh air. Seriously, I once spent three days doing data entry and I swear the beige walls of my apartment started closing in. Getting *anywhere* felt like a victory then.
The thing is, expectations are EVERYTHING. Don't go expecting luxury. Go expecting... a clean(ish) room, maybe a questionable continental breakfast situation, and hopefully, no screaming children at 3 AM. I *once* stayed at a Super 8 where a squirrel decided to throw a party in my car's engine. It was a *thing*. So, yeah. Temper your expectations. It's an *affordable* escape. That's the key phrase, folks.
Seriously, though, what's the room *actually* like? Is it… clean? (Please say yes.)
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the cleanliness. Honestly? It varies. Sometimes it's sparkling, the sheets smelling faintly of bleach and hope. Other times… well, let's just say you might *briefly* question the structural integrity of the ceiling. I've learned to always carry Clorox wipes. Always. A quick once-over the surfaces is a MUST. Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but a little precaution never hurt anyone.
My most recent experience was actually pretty good! A little worn around the edges, sure, but the sheets *smelled* clean. HUGE win. Then there was that time, back in 2019, where... oh dear god. Let's just say there was a *thing* under the bed that resembled a vaguely humanoid dust bunny. *shudders*. My advice? Check EVERYTHING. Under the beds. Behind the curtains. In the seemingly empty ice bucket. You've been warned. Seriously.
The breakfast? Is it worth getting out of bed for? (Because, let's be honest, sleep is precious.)
The breakfast… oh, the breakfast. This is where things can get… *adventurous*. The "continental breakfast" is a classic Super 8 move. Think: pre-packaged pastries that may or may not be older than your grandma, instant coffee that tastes of despair, and maybe, just maybe, some sad-looking fruit.
Look, I'm not saying it's gourmet. I am saying, however, that sometimes, after a night of questionable decisions (and maybe a few too many bad TV dinners), a sugary donut and a weak cup of coffee can be a balm to the soul. Plus, it technically *is* free, which is always a win. I once saw a guy load up *five* danishes onto his plate. Five! I was impressed, and a little bit ashamed for wanting one. So, yeah. Lower those breakfast expectations accordingly. Grab a coffee, maybe some toast, and prepare yourself for the day. And if the fruit looks truly horrifying, just… skip it. You'll be fine. Honestly, packing some granola bars is a good idea too.
Mahwah... What's *actually* around the area to do?
Okay, listen, Mahwah isn't exactly the entertainment capital of the world. *Not.* It is, however, *conveniently* located. I mean, you got the Ramapo Reservation nearby if you're into hiking and getting eaten by bugs. (I'm not, but you do you). There are also some shops and restaurants within driving distance. (Remember to check their hours, because some places decide to close at 3 PM even on Saturdays, which is just rude.)
The real draw? Depends on what you *want*. For me? Easy access to the highway. I'm often there because I need to *get* somewhere else. It's a good basecamp, a place to crash before you hit the road. It's close to New York City (about an hour if traffic cooperates, which it almost never does), and the Meadowlands. Plus, let's be real, if the highlight of your weekend is a trip to the local Target, well, there's one nearby. I'm not judging. I've been there. And if you’re *really* desperate, there's a movie theater. Just don't expect a Michelin-starred experience, okay?
So, parking? Is it a nightmare or manageable? (I need to know!)
Parking? Generally, it's manageable. Usually. Typically. Okay, I'll level with you. I've had some experiences. There was the time I arrived late, and the only spot left was next to a dumpster. The *smell*! (I swear, I still get flashbacks). And then there was the time, in winter, where I *almost* got stuck. But usually…? It's fine. Plenty of spaces. Don't expect valet service, but you should be able to find a spot. Just don't arrive at 2 AM on a Saturday night. You've been warned.
Are there any hidden fees or surprise charges I should be aware of? (I hate surprises!)
Hidden fees... Ah, the bane of every budget traveler's existence! Generally, no huge surprises at the Super 8, but *always* double-check your final bill. Make sure they didn't accidentally charge you for the miniature shampoo bottles (which I swear, barely hold a decent dollop of shampoo, anyway) or something. If they say "resort fee," run. Just run. But no, the Super 8 scene isn't usually riddled with gotchas. But always, always check. I once had a hotel try to charge me for phone calls I never made. It took me an hour and a lot of angry gesticulations to sort out. So, yeah, *double check*.
Okay, let's talk about the staff. Are they… friendly? (Or do they just tolerate me?)
The staff… well, they're people. Some are friendly, some are... well, working a job. Look, I've had staff who were genuinely helpful, even with the most inane requests (like when I locked myself out of my car. Don't ask.) and staff who looked like they'd rather be anywhere else, which, honestly, I get. GenerallyLocal Hotel Tips
Post a Comment for "Escape to the Super 8 Mahwah: Your NJ Getaway Awaits!"