Recently stayed at this Jersey City Econolodge for one night due to inclement weather on our way to NYC. We should have turned around and left but the entire area was booked.
For starters, the lobby was filled with unusual characters exchanging money. The stairwell was extremely dirty. Our room door shut, but let light through all the way around because it was so loose. The headboard of the bed had "Ryan loves Kelly" carved in it all the way across in 8 inch tall letters. There was a halfhearted attempt to cover this with a marker, so we know that management was aware of it. The lamp in the corner was held together with electrical tape. We had an emergency blanket in the car that we took out to cover the bed with. We slept on top in our clothes.
I've stayed in Econolodges before so I know not to expect the Ritz, or even Holiday Inn for that matter. This wasn't a budget hotel, this was a nightmare.

I made a booking at this hotel through the internet, and when I called to confirm an early check request, I found the front desk agent rude and difficult.
He told me early check in was based on availabilty, so when I asked him if they were busy on that date, he told me it was none of my business. When I asked for his name, he also said this was none of my business. I asked to speak to a manager, he told he was the only one I could speak to, then he told me he was the manager and the "president". Then he hung up on me. Needless to say I cancelled my booking a filed a complaint with Choice Hotels.
I dont know what I said to this guy to set him off, but I guess making $7.00 an hour to answer phones in Jersey City
is not much of an incentive to be polite.

I would not under any circumstances recommend this hotel.

The reviews here do not lie. The place is an absolute nightmare. The front desk people are the rudest I've met. I asked the person who checked us in for an area map so we could plan our trip for the next day and he referred me to the coin-operated map machine that looked more outdated than the tacky fabric flowers they had out. After refusing any form of help for directions, he asks me for a cigarette and after haggling with him for a bit, I give him one. He then eyes it up and down asking what it is (it was a Belmont). When I tell him it's Canadian, he gives me a disgusted look and says "I guess I'll smoke it". There is absolutely no safety there. They have tons of cameras in the hallways and none in the parking lot. None of these cameras are even taped - what is the point?!
My car, along with four others got broken into in one night. Even then, the people working there refused to help and even insulted me. When the police came and took their report, the officer told me that he's almost certain that the hotel people were in on the crime. How can five cars have their windows smashed and all their valuables stolen without a single person hearing it?! And as I mentioned, there is only one camera out front that tapes the general area of the parking lot from afar and the feed is not taped. These guys are crooks!

I dont have words to describe how bad this place is. The washrooms stink, the staff is rude. I felt extremely unsafe and uncomfortable in this place. I tried using phone provided in room, which woudnt work, so I was told to deposit 10 dollars to have it activated. I then called toronto, talked for 20 mintues. The moment i hung up, the phone rang. I picked it and it was the front desk guy. He told me I have to come down and pay 20$ for using phone. I requested him to kindly send bill upstairs. The guy was extremely rude and threatened to call cops if I didnt come downstair to pay. I was shocked and i said I will come down after some time. The hotel staff called cops on me for 20$. I couldnt beleive!!!!! Even the cops who came were nicer, and apolozied for inconvenience. REally thats one experience I wont forget!!!!!