NYC Jersey City Lodging Recs

Where to tell visitors to stay when they want NYC access without Manhattan prices. Core principle: stay on the Newark–WTC PATH line at Exchange Place — it’s the line that runs 24/7, and Exchange Place is a 10-min one-seat ride to WTC. Companion to NYC Recs (food).

Exchange Place (first choice)

24/7 Newark–WTC line, 10 min to WTC, waterfront skyline views, restaurants within walking distance. NY Waterway ferry to Brookfield Place as a daytime alternative.

• Hyatt House Jersey City — the value pick. Directly across from the station, suite-style rooms w/ kitchenettes, rooftop lounge over the Hudson. 8.8/10 (~1,700 reviews), typically $170–250/night.
• Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson — the splurge. Sits on a pier; best skyline views of any hotel in the area, 4-star full service. Ask for a harbor-view room.
• Sonesta Simply Suites — budget fallback, renovated 2024, ~700 m from the station.

Newport (one stop over; better for Midtown-focused trips)

On the Hoboken/33rd St lines — fine daytime, but late-night routing is more convoluted than Newark–WTC.

• Westin Jersey City Newport — probably the most polished hotel in JC.
• Courtyard Newport — basically on top of the station.
• DoubleTree JC — all-suite, renovated.

Grove Street

• Canopy by Hilton JC Arts District — trendy newer pick in the most fun JC neighborhood (restaurants/bars), but ~10-min walk to the PATH.

Avoid: Harrison, NJ

Hotel-level prices (Element Harrison ~9.1/10, Hampton Inn Riverwalk ~7.5/10) with the worst commute — 35–40 min to WTC and a dead-quiet town at night. Only makes sense for Red Bull Arena events or rock-bottom apartment deals (e.g. “The Harrison” apartment, ~$112/night — the listing that prompted this note).

PATH service cheat sheet (as of mid-2026)

• Newark–WTC and JSQ–33rd (via Hoboken) are the two 24/7 lines.
• Friday late night (11:30 PM–2 AM): every 20 min on all lines (upgraded May 2026 from 40 min).
• Saturday overnight: still ~30–40 min headways — check RidePATH app before heading to the station.
• Weekend daytime Newark–WTC: ~every 15–20 min; upgrade to 10–15 min slated for March 2027.
• Fares rising $0.25/yr starting summer 2026 through 2029.