Hi - can anyone please recommend a hotel close to/on Newark airport? I've done some research on the web but haven't found much info...

We're visiting NY from the UK in May BUT we have an early morning flight back on the Sunday I'm guessing we'll need to check in about 3 hours before departure at 8.00am - so a really early start!)

Rather than make the trek from Manhattan in the early hours of the morning, we thought it would be easier to transfer to the airport on the Saturday night? Does this seem sensible to the locals?

Any and advice gratefully received! We are really looking forward to this trip - I just want to make it as hassle-free as possible.

There's a Wyndham (formerly Marriot) directly on the airport property but it's pricey. There is a Marriot Courtyard, a Hilton and some other chains just off aiport property. All provide free shuttle service to the terminal and are within a 4-7 minute drive. Traffic from Manhattan early on a Sunday is nearly non-existent. If you chose to use a cab from NYC hotel it would be about 20-25 minutes travel time. The Newark airport hotel is a good choice if you'd like to simplify your morning. I'd arrive there late if I were you. There's really nothing to do in that immediate area and not even any restaurants unless you take a cab into Newark's Ironbound section for some great Portuguese food. 3* hotels like the aforementioned Wyndham and Hilton have been going for $45 to $55 on priceline. If you can use priceline from the UK for US hotel rooms (I think there is a way) it's a great way to stay at the airport for a reasonable $$. If not, I'd suggest the Courtyard - I've been there and it's very nice (maybe it was the free cookies and gourmet coffee in the lobby that I liked so much!).

Most major chains have a hotel near or at Newark Airport - Radisson, Marriott, DAys, HOward Johnson, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and Ramada.
If you are staying in midtown Manhattan, on the WEst Side you could make it to the airport in 20 or so minutes at that time Sunday AM. If you decide to remain in Manhattan consider using a car service to pick you up..

We stayed at the Marriot last August it is the only hotel inside the airport complex. Cheap at $90 and the most convenient. Nice breakfast buffet downstairs. Make your reservation now as they do book up. You can always cancell closer to the date if you have other ideas. If you have kids get a veiw of the planes taking off. You are right about staying in the airport night before. We had a 12pm flight but just stayed here to save on that angxiety that comes with packing last minute when you actually have that minute and travel to airport.

Wow - thank you all for your help - its been really useful.

Can't wait to visit NY again (its been 10 years since my last visit)

Roll on May......

Marriot Courtyard and Marriot in Airport are two different hotels so always ask if the hotel is located in the airport?

PSS Newark Airport Marriot is still owned by Marriott just confirmed this on website. Marriot Courtyard is not on Airport grounds.

As a local, it doesn't seem sensible to me. I would stay that last night in Manhattan so you don't have to bother with changing rooms and losing any time in NY. Get a car service for the morning, about $40, and traffic will be so light it will take about 15-20 minutes. I would imagine it isn't that much faster to stay near the airport.

I'm with Jess. At that hour of the morning you can breeze from Manhattan to Newark Airport in about 20-25 minutes door to door. Why bother to pack, then unpack some stuff, then pack again. The ride may cost a little more than $40, but it's well worth it, and you get to spend your final night in the Big Apple instead of Newark.

As a local the traffic is a bear in the morning. Most commutors have to plan city travel against traffic. All news channels cover this traffic every single morning. Just last Friday I heard the (helicopter) traffic reporter of one major station saying well it is a rare morning indeed with no accidents at all this morning. This should tell you not to laugh in the face of traffic. ...traffic go both ways.

Last month, I stayed one night at the Newark Wyndham Airport hotel because I had an early flight the next morning. I took the Air Train out there from Penn Station (2 stops, $11), went one stop on the monorail and caught the free shuttle to the Wyndham. I was shocked at how nice the Wyndham was. For $50/night it was actually nicer than the Mexican resort I was on my way to visit. In the morning, the shuttle service took us right to our terminal.

XX, someone was right to tell you that there is no traffic early on a Sunday morning. But car accidents are unpredictable, so you never know...

I mistakenly thought that the Wyndham I've seen listed on winning Priceline.com bids for Newark Airport was just the Marriott renamed (Marriott recently sold many hotels to Wyndham and they have been renamed). The Wyndham is in fact a separate proprty and is not on airport property (the Marriott is). The Marriott Courtyard is off airport property but is so close with free shuttle that distance is a non-issue. If I had fun stuff to do in NYC on my last night and head to airport in AM. I think three hours is a bit too much time in advance for arrival. I fly domestic regularly from Newark (post 9/11). I arrive at terminal 1 1/2 hours before departure time and always have 45 minutes to one hour to kill before departure. I should think 2 - 2 1/2 hours would be adequate for international flights. If my plans for Saturday night were just to have a good dinner and rest, I might be inclined to get a cab from Newark Airport to Ironbound section and have a great Poruguese meal (consider trying Seabra's Marquiseria for excellent fresh seafood and very authentic Portuguese dishes - also be prepared to point on menu as most of the waiters speak Portuguese and little to no English!).

I think the person who told you that traffic will be heavy may be under the impression that you'll be travelling at 8am rather than 5am. I agree with those who tell you that if you leave your Manhattan hotel (particularly one in Midtown) at 4:30 am you should get to the airport around 5am without a problem. By the way, how are you getting into the city from Newark?
If you haven't already committed to a particular method you might want to consider using the Newark International Airport monorail. This just opened up. I'll be using it for the first time later this week.
The monorail runs to all the terminals at Newark taking you to the Newark Airport Airlink Station. From there you can take an NJ Transit Train directly into New York Penn Station (only a 20 minute ride). However, I would not take this method if you'll be getting on the train during the morning commute into the city, because the trains will be packed and there will be very little room for your bags.
The major advantage of taking this route over getting a car at the airport is that it's a lot cheaper. It's $11.55 for a ticket from there to Newark. Plus, traffic isn't an issue. The NJ Transit trains are pretty good at keeping close to schedule. While taking a cab you'll be subject to traffic.
I'd actually suggest taking the train back to the Airport, but the first train won't get to the airport until 5:50am on a Sunday.
Here's the url for the Air Train's embarrassingly bad Web site.
http://www.airtrainnewark.com/airtrainnewark/index.html
If you do peruse it, please take the time to let them know how bad their site is. I already have and am hoping that enough nagging will force them to make basic improvements.
Enjoy your trip.

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! I'm very grateful.

Rae