Matawan sits about 40 miles from the center of Manhattan, offering easy access by train or car to the big city. When it was first settled, the area now known as Matawan was referred to by the Lenape Native Americans as "Mechananienk," which meant “where two rivers come together.” When Dutch settlers arrived, they called it "Matovancons," which has a similar meaning and is believed to have inspired the current name. In its early days, the area had a diverse population with settlers from all over the world. It was formed as a borough in 1895.
When should you travel to Matawan, NJ?
The climate in Matawan includes four seasons during the year. The average lows during the winter months are in the 20- to 30-degree range, while highs in the summer tend to stay in the mid-80s. With higher humidity levels, these temperatures can feel quite warm, so many locals escape to the shore for a break from the heat. The hotel rates tend to be higher in the summer because of the borough's proximity to the shoreline. During the winter season, you may see lower hotel rates due to the chillier weather.
No major events take place in Matawan, so you shouldn't see any major jumps in rates due to happenings within the borough. However, the Matawan Memorial Day Parade is a fun local event that draws a crowd of a few thousand people each year.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Matawan, NJ:
Matawan, NJ: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Matawan, NJ. Browse these charts to calculate the best months to book in Matawan during the year.
Does Matawan, NJ have luxury hotels for travelers?
4 Star Average Prices: $133.83
For a luxurious stay, you'll have to travel into the city. One of the top hotels in Manhattan is The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, located on Nassau Street. This five-star property is within a 10-minute walk of the National September 11 Memorial and close to public transit stops. Each spacious room offers a sweeping view of the city skyline. Rooms also include LCD TVs, minibars, private bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and complimentary designer toiletries, and plush bedding. Guests can take advantage of the concierge services, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, and the two on-site restaurants and lounge.
The Greenwich Hotel is another five-star property in the Village. It offers quick access to SoHo, the famous Meat Packing District, and Wall Street.
This boutique hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and relaxation lounge, where you can enjoy a Japanese tea or take an early yoga class before you head out to sightsee. The lantern-lit Shibui Spa is the opus of this location, offering a space to cleanse and heal the body and mind as you unwind. Each individually decorated guest room has culturally inspired decorations along with modern amenities like flat-screen HDTVs, iPod docking stations, free Wi-Fi, and electronics available for guest use.
Crosby Street Hotel is a well-known spot located in SoHo on Crosby Street. The fresh, contemporary styling of the hotel's interior feels inviting and upscale, while amenities include a private garden, a 99-seat screening room, a fully equipped fitness center, and The Crosby Bar. This property also has a restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as afternoon tea.
Each spacious and well-lit guest room has a marble and granite private bathroom with a large walk-in shower, a separate sitting area, a Bluetooth Bose speaker, a flat-screen TV, and wireless internet access. You can also stay in one of the hotel's suites for more space.
Are there affordable hotels near Matawan, New Jersey?
3 Star Average Prices: $147.79
The majority of the hotels in the area are located outside of Matawan, but many are within a few miles. One of the most budget-friendly places to stay is Best Western Hazlet Inn, located about 4 miles away in Hazlet. This 2.5-star hotel is off Highway 35 for easy access and has a variety of appealing amenities.
On the property, you can take advantage of a 24-hour business center, a fitness center that's open 24 hours a day, free on-site self-parking, and free wireless internet access. Each room comes equipped with a tea and coffee maker, a TV with cable programming, and a private bathroom. A free continental breakfast is served each morning.
Knights Inn South Amboy / Garden State Parkway South Exit 125 is another reasonably priced place to stay in the area. Every room has a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a shower/tub combination, along with a phone with free local calls and a comfortable bed. The hotel has laundry facilities for guest use, ATM and banking services, a business center, and free parking for guests. This property is less than 6 miles from Cliffwood Beach and only a short drive away from the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.
At Best Western East Brunswick Inn, you can enjoy an affordable stay and the appealing amenities offered to guests. This hotel has free wireless internet access throughout the common areas and guest rooms, a fitness center, a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff members, and a business center. Breakfast is served each morning and includes hot and cold cereal, pancakes or waffles, eggs, breakfast meat, bread, pastries, juice, and coffee. The rooms come equipped with 27-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels, separate workspaces, tea and coffee makers, phone with free local calls, and free toiletries.