In another thread, lynny2 wrote: "We are coming from the west (Easton, NJ) and would like a hotel, with parking, that is in an interesting/scenic area where 2 of us can easily commute into Manhattan for a day while the other person enjoys some down-time prior to going home."

How many people are in your group? If you are indeed a group of three, it seems more fair for the majority to decide the location and the minority to figure out how to make lemonade from lemons.

I am going to a wedding in Staten Island next weekend - much of my husband's family lives in SI still We are staying in NJ the night of the wedding - I guess it is right over a bridge to NJ and there are better hotels in NJ.

Perhaps just stay in NJ and take the train into the city as a few people have recommended.

I got it wrong in my post; we are a "group" of 2!

May I ask: Why doesn't your husband want to go into Manhattan? Perhaps someone can address his concerns here.

Morristown's not a bad idea, though. In the same vein, something on the Metro North line might work, too. If you decided on coastal Jersey, some of those mid-shore towns (Point Pleasant is the one that leaps to mind) are reasonably accessible to Manhattan.

In the end we stayed in a hotel near Meadowlands; spent one day in Manhaattan (Central Park and the Met) and half a day in Liberty State Park plus ferry trip to the statue, prior to Newark airport.

I sent the last post before I meant to so this is the correct version. In the end we stayed in a hotel near Meadowlands; caught the bus and spent one day in Manhattan (Central Park and the Met) The following half day we drove to Liberty State Park where we picnicked and took a ferry trip to the statue, prior to our flight home from Newark airport. A really enjoyable end to a great holiday. Thanks everyone.

Good! Which hotel?

Hampton Inn, Carlstadt, NJ

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-manhattan.cfm