Sheraton Edison: Your Luxurious NJ Escape Awaits!
Sheraton Edison: My Jersey Escape (Or Did I Just Escape Into New Jersey?) - A Rambling Review
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I just got back from the Sheraton Edison, NJ, and my brain is basically a tangled ball of plush robes, questionable coffee, and the lingering scent of chlorine. Was it a luxurious escape? Well, that depends on your definition of "escape". Let's just say I survived…and here's the messy, unvarnished truth, SEO be damned.
(Metadata Buzzwords: Sheraton Edison, New Jersey Hotels, NJ Hotels, Edison Hotels, Hotel Review, Spa Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Family Friendly Hotel, Business Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, On-site Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag – Mostly Usable, Though I Still Need a Nap
Let's start with the basics. Accessibility is important, even if I don’t personally need it, but the thought always buzzes at the back of your brain, you know? "What if…?" The good news is, the Sheraton attempts to be accessible. There's an elevator, which is a huge win – no trying to heave someone up a flight of stairs with my limited muscles. They boast "Facilities for disabled guests", but I didn't see any specific information on their website. I'd recommend calling ahead and verifying the specifics if this is a MUST-HAVE.
(SEO: Wheelchair Accessible, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator)
Internet Access: Thank God For Free Wi-Fi (And My Sanity)
Okay, this is a big one for me. I NEED the internet. Like, I'm pretty sure my blood is now mostly Wi-Fi signals and caffeine. The good news? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HALLELUJAH! And it actually worked. Not always, but it mostly worked. They also had Internet [LAN] available, which felt a bit 2002, but hey, options are good. And in the lobby / public areas? Wi-Fi in Public Areas. So, you're covered. This is essential, especially if, like me, you have to, ahem, work on vacation (or, you know, pretend to).
(SEO: Free Wi-Fi, Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet… Oh, The Buffet… (And Other Adventures)
Let's talk food. This is where things get interesting, let’s be honest. They have Restaurants. Plural. And a bar, a coffee shop, even a snack bar. The promise of food everywhere! They also boast “Alternative meal arrangement," which, in my experience, translates to "We'll try to accommodate you." They have “Asian cuisine in restaurant" - I didn’t venture that far. But I did brave the Breakfast [buffet].
OMG. The breakfast buffet…It deserves its own section. It was…an experience. The sheer quantity was impressive. Mountains of scrambled eggs (that may or may not have been made of actual eggs), a forest of pastries, a river of coffee that tasted… vaguely like coffee. The bacon was… well, it was bacon-like. The key is to go in with low expectations and a healthy sense of humor. I’m going to be honest, I'm a sucker for a waffle machine. And, there was a waffle machine. So I, ate a waffle. Was it the best waffle I’ve ever had? No. But hey! Waffles are a comfort food. And after a night of… whatever that was, this was perfect.
They also have a “Poolside bar”? I saw a pool and a bar, but the combined existence of a "poolside bar"? That felt a little optimistic.
(SEO: Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Poolside bar, Asian cuisine, Western cuisine, Vegetarian restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement)
Rooms: Plush, Mostly Clean, But… The Tiny Window:
Okay, the rooms themselves were pretty standard. Air conditioning that actually worked, a comfortable bed, and a desk to pretend to do work at. The bathrobes were a nice touch. Complimentary tea? Yes, please! But the tiny window? Oh, the tiny window. I felt like I was in a submarine. No view to speak of. But the blackout curtains were effective. That’s a plus. The mini bar, well, I'll admit I made it my mission… to stay away from them.
(SEO: Air conditioning, Bathrobes, Desk, Complimentary tea, Blackout curtains, Non-smoking rooms, Available in all rooms)
Things to Do: Pool Time, And Then… More Relaxing?
They have… a swimming pool! An outdoor swimming pool! And a pool with a view?! Okay, I'm exaggerating. I didn't find a view from the pool, but the pool itself was clean and refreshing. There's also a fitness center, which, again, I "visited" between doing real work (that required a proper desk. (They needed to use the wifi!). They also offer a spa and some spa services, including a sauna, steamroom, and massage. They also provide access to things like a foot bath and body scrub/wraps! I was so focused on just surviving the buffet, though, that I didn’t make it to the spa. Next time!
(SEO: Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Spa, Sauna, Steam room, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath)
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying Hard, I Guess
Let’s talk COVID safety. They’re trying. They had hand sanitizer everywhere and Staff trained in safety protocol. There was daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. They also offer room sanitization opt-out available, though let's be honest, who is opting out of clean? They also had things like individually-wrapped food options and a safe dining setup. All very reassuring.
(SEO: Hand sanitizer, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol)
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects
They have all the usual suspects. Cash withdrawal, a concierge, daily housekeeping, a doorman. They offer laundry service and dry cleaning. There's even a gift/souvenir shop if you're in the mood for a slightly overpriced memento. They also have elevator and luggage storage.
(SEO: Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Laundry service, Luggage storage)
For the Kids: Didn't Notice, But They Were There (Maybe)
They claim to be Family/child friendly, with Kids meal options and the possibility of Babysitting service. I didn’t see any hordes of screaming children, which was a blessing.
(SEO: Family/child friendly, Kids meal, Babysitting service)
Getting Around: Parking is Free! (Hallelujah!)
Car park [free of charge]? YES! Thank the heavens! Because driving in New Jersey is stressful enough without having to worry about parking fees. They also have a taxi service but I just used the car park (free of charge).
(SEO: Car park [free of charge], Taxi service)
Overall: Worth It? Maybe. Depends on Your Expectations.
Look, the Sheraton Edison isn't the Four Seasons. It's not a five-star, life-altering experience. But it's a decent hotel. It's clean, it's mostly comfortable, and it has free Wi-Fi. The buffet is an experience. The pool is… a pool. If you're looking for a functional place to stay in Edison, NJ, it fits the bill. If you're looking for a luxurious escape? Lower your expectations a bit. Maybe bring your own coffee. And definitely pack a sense of humor. Because in the end, surviving New Jersey, even in a Sheraton, is its own kind of victory.
Luxury Windermere Escape: Your Dream Cambridge House Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's perfectly-structured travel itinerary. This is… me, unleashed, loose-leaf style. We're hitting the Sheraton Edison in New Jersey. Let's see if we survive intact.
Sheraton Edison: A Love Story (or Maybe Just A Mild Toleration?)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (aka, Checking In)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport. Oh joy. Flying is… an experience. My carry-on is somehow already over the weight limit, even though it's mostly filled with emergency snacks (Lindt truffles, you're my rock). Finding the rental car is a saga in itself. (Pro-tip: never trust the GPS in a rental car. Ever.)
- 2:30 PM: Finally, blessedly, finally, at the Sheraton. Check-in? Smooth as… well, let’s just say it involves a lot of smiling through gritted teeth. The lobby is… fine. Generic hotel lobby-esque. Smells faintly of chlorine and… ambition? I can't quite put my finger on it.
- 3:00 PM: The Room. Pray for the room. Pray it doesn't smell like stale cigarettes and despair. Pray the air conditioning works. Okay, it’s… decent. Clean (ish), functional (hopefully). Bathroom… not the most luxurious experience of my life, but hey, plumbing! I’ll take it. The first thing I did was check for bedbugs, because, you know, paranoia is a great travel companion.
- 3:30 PM-4:30 PM: Unpack. Or, more accurately, attempt to make the room somewhat habitable. The suitcase explodes like a confetti cannon of rumpled clothes. I immediately discover I've forgotten my charger. Great. Just great. This is the start of a beautiful relationship with the hotel's overpriced gift shop.
- 4:30 PM-5:30 PM: Downstairs exploration. The gym. I peer in, filled with a sudden, uncharacteristic burst of optimism. Maybe, just maybe, I'll work out. (Spoiler alert: I won't). The bar. Ah, the bar. Now we're talking. Survey the scene. Mostly business travelers looking vaguely stressed, a few families. The TV screen is playing some cheesy reality show. Instant classic.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The Sheraton's restaurant, the one with the slightly intimidating name and the menu that tries to cater to everyone and ultimately impresses no one. I order something basic, a burger. It's… edible. The fries are decent. I tip well. Just trying to maintain some basic human decency amid the corporate beige of hotel life.
- 7:30 - 9:30 PM: Staring contest with the TV. A weird action movie is on. I am mildly entertained. Eventually, I give in to the allure of the hotel bed. It's too early to go to bed, but the sheets are clean, and the remote control works, and that is all that matters.
- 9:30 PM: Sleep! I'm just exhausted. This flight was a mess.
Day 2: Local Adventures (and the Crushing Weight of Expectation)
- 7:00 AM: (ish): Wake up. Ugh. Hotel coffee. It has the consistency of muddy water but, beggars can't be choosers. Force down a cup or two. I need to feel more energetic but I end up feeling worse.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel's breakfast place. The buffet. Oh, the buffet. Everything is… there. Eggs (scrambled, rubbery), bacon (the good kind? The mediocre kind?). Cereal that's mostly sugar. I grab an apple, pretend to be healthy, and people-watch. The other guests look more awake than me. Sigh.
- 9:00 AM: Explore - A Little Discovery: I ventured forth to explore the area. I had a vague idea of some local attractions, but… wait, where are you even going!? I wasn't prepared! I'd looked up some things on the internet, but I ended up spending the whole morning, aimlessly driving around, feeling lost and a bit aimless.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch time! Found a deli nearby. The sandwich was great.
- 1:00 PM: The Edison Mall: I decide to try the local mall. I love malls. I am actually more of a fan. I strolled around. The mall was kinda boring. My mood was good. The people were normal, and the shops did not catch my attention.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Rest. Regroup. Recharge. The air conditioning is still working, praise be. I browse the internet. I eat some chips. I feel a little bit better.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. The food was good. I had a good time. I made friends.
- 9:00 PM: Back to my room, where I read a book and listen to some music.
Day 3: Departure & Bitter Sweet Feelings…
- 7:00 AM: Last breakfast. The buffet again.
- 8:00 AM: Pack.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. The end.
Emotional Verdict:
The Sheraton Edison? It's… a hotel. It did its job. It provided a place to sleep (mostly). The food was fine (ish). The location was convenient (arguably). Would I recommend it? Probably. Would I rave about it? Absolutely not. It's just a place. A temporary refuge. And in that sense, it was perfectly imperfect. And that’s life, isn’t it? A series of perfectly imperfect moments. Now, for the long flight home…
Andaman & Nicobar's Paradise: Unbelievable City Views You Won't Believe!
Why is it so hard to get out of bed in the morning?
Oh. My. God. Don't even get me *started*. The tyranny of the snooze button is a real thing, a constant battle. It's not just physical tiredness, is it? It's the sheer weight of *the day* bearing down on you. I swear my bed turns into some kind of super-comfy black hole every morning. One minute you're dreaming about winning the lottery, the next... you're wrestling with the overwhelming urge to just *stay*.
I had this one time. I was working from home, which sounds amazing, right? Wrong. One minute I'm dreaming about what to eat for breakfast, the next I'm waking on the sofa with drool running down my face with my laptop sitting on the floor. Why wasn’t I working? Because my bed was too comfortable, that is the only logical conclusion.
There's also, I think, a profound laziness, a deep-seated resistance to the world. The world requires things, and honestly, sometimes I just don't want to *do* the things. It's exhausting. Getting out of bed feels like a physical act of betrayal against my lazy body. Sigh.
What's the best way to deal with a bad mood?
Okay, listen. I have *opinions* on this. First, let's acknowledge a scientific truth: bad moods exist. We all have them. Trying to pretend you’re always rainbows and butterflies is just… exhausting.
My go-to? Depends on the mood, baby. If it's a 'mildly irritated' mood, a good cup of coffee can work magic. Or, you know, a *terrible* cup of coffee, just to really kickstart the whole 'everything sucks' vibe. If it's a full-blown, existential crisis, I head straight for chocolate. Dark, bitter chocolate. The kind that makes you feel slightly guilty but also *slightly* in control of your cravings, I find myself thinking, "at least I'm eating this chocolate."
Exercise is supposed to work, I hear. Never has for me. I tried to go for a run once when I was already in a terrible mood. I ended up getting a cramp and nearly tripping over my own feet, which, if you can imagine, made things even worse. So, I guess the point is: find what works *for you*. And maybe, just maybe, don’t take my advice.
How do I handle those moments of intense self-doubt?
Ugh, self-doubt. The insidious monster in the closet, always ready to pounce. I swear, some days I'm convinced I'm the biggest fraud in the universe. Everybody else seems to have their stuff together, and I'm over here, questioning whether I *actually* know how to breathe.
My best defense? I’m going to be honest, I have no idea! Mostly I try to catch myself. I try to tell myself, "hey, you've dealt with this before, you survived, remember?". But then my brain goes, "Yeah, but what about *this* time? This time could be the one where you mess everything up." So then I spiral. But the best thing that works… take a break. Do something, *anything* that distracts you from yourself. Read a book. Watch a stupid TV show. Talk to a friend. Or just… breathe. It can sometimes work.
Also, remember that everyone feels it. Even your most successful, seemingly flawless friends. They’re probably just better at hiding it, or maybe they aren’t, I’m not going to start another round of self-doubt! The most important thing is to try and remember that you are just doing your best, and that is enough for right now.
What’s the biggest challenge in your life right now?
Oh, man. Where do I even *start*? If I'm being brutally honest, it's always the same answer: finding a sense of balance. Work, life, relationships, hobbies... it's this constant juggling act. You feel like you're succeeding, and then BAM! You drop the ball, or three.
I feel like if I’m juggling too many things, I'll find I’m not focusing on anything at all. I’m always so busy that I struggle to even have the energy for fun pursuits. I just want to sit, do absolutely nothing, and complain. But then I wouldn't have worked to have the money for it, I guess. This is the constant cycle, always.
I'm trying to get better at prioritizing, but it's a work in progress. The biggest challenge? It’s accepting that I’m going to mess up sometimes, and that’s okay. That’s life. And that, my friends, is *harder* than it sounds. It's easy to *say* you're okay with imperfection, but to genuinely *feel* it? Now that's a whole other ball game. So... yeah. Balance. Or the lack thereof. Cheers to that.
How do you deal with procrastination?
Oh, procrastination. My *old friend.* We’ve been through a lot together, that’s for sure. We’ve watched entire days vanish into the void of YouTube rabbit holes and the endless scroll of social media. It's truly an art form, isn't it? The exquisite ability to find *anything* more interesting than the task at hand.
I have tried everything. The Pomodoro Technique, setting timers, writing to-do lists, bribing myself with rewards… I’ve even tried guilt-tripping myself! Honestly, the only method that has ever worked for me, a tiny bit anyway, is making a ridiculous bet with myself. This sounds silly, but it works! If I manage to finish the task in the next hour, I'll buy myself that thing I want! If I fail? I will take the rubbish out for the rest of the week! You get a sense of urgency and you get motivated! (However my flat is extremely clean)
I don't think procrastination ever really goes away, though. It's like a shadow following you around, always waiting for you to look away so it can sneak in and whisper, "Just five more minutes…" And honestly? Sometimes, I let it. Sometimes, you just *need* that five minutes. And if you ask me, it just makes the victory of actually *doing* the thing that much sweeter.
What’s something you’re strangely passionate about?
Okay, this is a good one. I am, without a doubt, strange. I am strangely passionate about… collecting mugs. I have *so* many mugs. It's actually a problem. I don’t even know where they all came from.
It started innocently enough. AWhere To Sleep In
