Newark Home w/ Deck & Fire Pit, 16 Mi to NYC!

Reviews

• Convenient to Parkway and Airport

  5/5

  We found this home convenient to the Garden State Parkway and Newark Airport and centrally located to allow us to visit family living north and south. Dwight was always helpful and responsive to our needs. Beds were large and comfortable. TVs in every room!

  Manager's Response:

  From the owner: "Thank you John for your review, and I am happy you enjoy it and I take care of all my guest needs and that is what I do best, I appreciate you, and come again."

• mixed feelings 2.5 stars

  2/5

  I was traveling to NYC but did not want to stay in the city for our entire stay. Traveled with my parents so we wanted a more quiet place to come to and the opportunity to be able to cook out own meals (we are picky eaters). I came across this and thought that as described, it was perfect. The location LOOKS scary but the street was calm and quiet. Here are pros and cons listed below:

  PROS

  -roomy, beds were descent and comfy (except for one having a plastic cover, made it annoying and too hot to sleep in).

  -kitchen was well stocked, enough dishes and pots to make our meals

  -grocery store super close by (we walked every time we needed anything)

  -access to laundry (just reach out to Dwight ahead of time so he can arrange to unlock)

  -good communication with owner, he was super friendly, communicative and responsive (this was our fav part of booking here)

  -we stumbled upon a Cathedral while out there (Sacred Heart Cathedral) if you are Catholic or just enjoy amazing architecture, give this place a visit while in Newark

  CONS

  -too far from any of the main attractions (it was my first time on the East coast and obviously, I did not know how far this was from everything touristy) definitely get a car UBER will run you BIG if you plan on doing anything but sit home

  -there is access to bus/subway but I honestly did not feel safe using this, risk it if you dare I'm sure it is much cheaper but the one time we tried we saw very scary people clearly not well and aborted mission (I will clarify this is more on the city than the property)

  -main complain was that (I later found out from owner) he was out of town prior to our arrival and so was not able to prep the place appropriately. I was super disappointed to find that the cleaning was not up to par (stove top was filthy, dishes felt sticky and the bathroom/toilet was not very clean). We arrived and had to clean these areas prior to using them. Definitely not something you plan on doing while vacationing

  -several things could use a replacement (mats, bedding) looked worn out and the small couch definitely needs a good scrubbing. this all takes away from the experience

  Luckily the trip went well for us, no safety issues but I would probably not return to Newark. All in all, it left a lot to desire as much as we liked the kindness of the owner; there were too many issues with cleanliness to look past for what you pay.

  Manager's Response:

  Dulce, we take guest feedback seriously and passed your comments on to the homeowner who would like to share the following:
  "Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it will allow me to evaluate and improve in some of the areas concerning my vacation home.
  -Regarding the location, we do include a map on our listing so that guests can see the approximate location of the home before booking, but I'm sorry if this caught you off guard. Guests can expect a 20-30 minute commute into the city provided they have transportation.
  -Public transportation is a great option and many people in Newark travel into the city daily using it. With city life, you will see all types of people riding on public transportation and while it is disappointing to hear of your experience, I know that some of our guests may not be accustomed to this environment.
  -Cleanliness and presentation are very important to me; I strive to give my guests the same type of services I expect when I am the consumer staying at a hotel or rental. Even with some of the renovations that I've made, it is an older home and some of the fixures will not look brand new. The photos do depict the property well and we encourage guests to review the property to find the right home for their stay.
  -While I may be away at times, I am always ready to answer any questions or concerns my guests have. I wish I would have heard of your concerns during your stay, however, of the many times we spoke, these concerns were not raised.
  -For local walking attractions, there is a lovely scenic park two blocks from my home, which is closer than the cathedral you mentioned. There are also many restaurants in the nearby town of South Orange that is only a 5 to 8 min drive via Uber/Lyft.
  -As someone who travels frequently, Google is my favorite tool for navigating new places. I do wish you the best and hope that the next time you are on the east coast your experience goes more smoothly!"

• Nice house very close to Seton Hall

  4/5

  We stay on this house for a week. We enjoyed the house, and in the future will denefinately be on our list to places to stay when visiting Seton Hall University.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  From the owner: "Thank you for your review and I hope all is well with you and looking to host you again. Thank you for your business. "

• I had a great time the place was very clean and the house was very well

  5/5

  I had a great time the place was very clean and the house was very well put together the host was very nice and understanding I would definitely recommend to stay at his property

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  From the owner: ''Thank you and I am looking forward to hosting you again soon, when you stay here I want you to be happy, it’s my business if you are not happy I can’t be happy. If you have an issue let me know. However, I am always in communication with my guests at all times. Thank you very much, I listen to all my guests.''