Noted for its most famous resident, Thomas Edison, West Orange was originally part of the Newark township until 1806, when The Oranges were detached and formed the Orange Township, named after William IV, Prince of Orange. Orange became a town in 1860, and then a city in 1872, but it fragmented into smaller communities consisting of South Orange, Fairmount, and East Orange. West Orange itself was incorporated as a separate township in 1863.
In addition to being home to Thomas Edison, Orange also features one of the best examples of the “Romantic Landscape” movement in its beautiful Llewellyn Park. It's no surprise that the township's nickname is “Where Invention Lives.”
Today, West Orange features its own zoo, an outdoor shopping center, and the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Due to its close proximity to New York City, it's also a popular place to score an affordable hotel room outside the city. Whatever your reason for visiting West Orange, it's important to find the right hotel that allows you to explore everything New Jersey has to offer.
Best Time to Visit West Orange, NJ
To avoid crowds and to enjoy reasonable hotel rates, try planning your trip to West Orange in the spring. March through May ushers in warmer weather, but the area hasn't yet reached peak tourist season, so you can still find great rates throughout the township and the Newark area. If you plan on visiting New York City during your stay, you'll also have a number of seasonal events to look forward to, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Burt's Bees Earth Day, and the Ninth Avenue Food Festival.
Summer highs in West Orange average in the mid-80s, which encourages tourism. While you won't find the same crowds in West Orange as you would in New York City or even Newark, it's best to plan your trip a few weeks in advance to secure a good deal on your room. If you are planning on a summer visit, your stay might coincide with Best Fest, an annual festival showcasing the tastes of West Orange.
Fall is a popular time to visit New York City, which means that hotel rates in The Big Apple are often steeper than during the summer. Because of this, Newark suburbs like West Orange tend to experience overflow, so don't be surprised if hotel rates are steep from September to November. Essex County does experience a number of festivals in the fall, including the South Mountain International Blues Festival, OSPAC Jazz and Brew Festival, the Mediterranean Food & Music Festival, Millburn Street Fair and Craft Show, and the American Bride Bridal Show.
Hotel rates around New York City are also high around the holidays, so if you want to experience West Orange in the winter, try to plan your trip for January or February to save some cash. Just be sure to pack accordingly, as the area experiences frigid temperatures in the 20s and 30s, not to mention a good threat of snow.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in West Orange, NJ:
West Orange, NJ: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. price patterns by star rating class in West Orange, NJ. Browse these charts to determine the best months to book in West Orange for any future trips.
Luxury Hotel Options in West Orange, NJ
4 Star Average Prices: $174.67
If you're considering upscale accommodations in the West Orange area, there are several options.
The Wilshire Grand Hotel is located within a mile of several golf courses and less than a 30-minute drive from Penn Station in Manhattan. This luxury property offers elegant guest rooms with workspaces, cable TVs, pillow-top mattress, free Wi-Fi access, iPhone docking stations, microwaves, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Rooms also feature marble bathrooms with massage shower heads, and suites add extra living spaces and whirlpool tubs.
Guest perks at The Wilshire Grand Hotel include complimentary breakfast in the lobby and all-day refreshments, an on-site gym, a 24-hour business center with meeting facilities, a seasonal outdoor patio, a putting green, an event ballroom, and an on-site restaurant and bar. The hotel is also pet friendly, though an additional surcharge applies.
If you prefer an extended-stay option, book a room at Residence Inn West Orange. This polished hotel is located less than two miles from the Montclair Art Museum and three miles from the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Guest rooms are traditionally decorated and range from studios to two-bedroom suites, each featuring a full kitchen, a pull-out sofa, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi access. Suites add additional televisions and separate living areas, and some throw in whirlpool tubs and fireplaces.
Enjoy a free hot breakfast at Residence Inn West Orange, plus an evening social with refreshments, free parking, an on-site convenience store, and a grocery delivery service.
Affordable Hotel Options in West Orange, NJ
3 Star Average Prices: $157.40
Finding an affordable hotel in West Orange can be difficult, but if you plan your trip ahead of time and aren't afraid to look for options a little farther out, you shouldn't have a problem.
Ramada East Orange is a modest property located just off I-280, three blocks from the Brick Church New Jersey Transit station. Guest rooms are simple, but offer coffee makers, microwaves, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi internet access. Suites add pull-out sofas to sleep extra family members, and kids 17 and under stay free with a paying adult relative. Guests can enjoy a free continental breakfast, an on-site exercise facility, a business center with meeting rooms, a 24/7 airport shuttle, and free parking.
Situated just southeast of East Orange, The Riviera Hotel is a budget two-star property just 10 minutes from the Newark Liberty International Airport. The property also places travelers within five minutes of Manhattan-bound trains. This 1920s-era hotel is situated in an urban neighborhood and offers simply decorated accommodations with hardwood floors, mini-fridges, TVs, free Wi-Fi access, and en-suite bathrooms. Some rooms also feature views of the New York City skyline. The Riviera Hotel boasts a high-ceilinged terrazzo lobby, an internet café, a coffee shop, a fitness center, a conference room, and vending machines.
Located within walking distance of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Newark Penn Station, Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel is a modest property less than four miles from Newark Liberty International Airport. Guest rooms are classically decorated and offer cable TV, free Wi-Fi, work desks, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. Some rooms and suites add whirlpool tubs, pull-out sofas, or views of Manhattan. Enjoy a free continental breakfast, free parking, a free airport shuttle, an on-site business center, meeting rooms, and a Mediterranean restaurant.
2 Star Average Prices: $137.07
Best Discounts in West Orange, NJ
If you know where to stay and plan your trip carefully, you can save even more money on your trip to West Orange by taking advantage of discounts. Most area hotels, including Ramada East Orange, offer special rates to AAA members, AARP members, seniors, military families, federal and state government employees, and corporate travelers. Depending on where you book, you may be able to save as much as 20 percent off the hotel's best available rates. Simply provide proof of your eligibility at check-in.
Other area hotels, including The Wilshire Grand Hotel, provide their own special offers to guests. Parents-to-be, mothers, and other travelers can score customized packages that provide extra perks, including local transportation, complimentary spa services, premium Wi-Fi, room upgrades, champagne, restaurant vouchers, and late check-outs.
Best Value Options in West Orange, NJ
West Orange offers many mid-range hotels that give travelers the best value for their dollars. Best Western Turtle Brook Inn is a classic hotel situated across from both the Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain and the Turtle Back Zoo. Guest rooms are unassuming, with cable TV, free Wi-Fi, pillow-top mattresses, coffee makers, and work desks. Some rooms add microwaves, mini-fridges, pull-out sofas, or balconies. Guest amenities include large-vehicle parking, a free hot breakfast, an on-site coffee shop, a fitness center, guest laundry, and a business center.
Courtyard West Orange is a straightforward hotel located less than three miles from the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Rooms are contemporary-styled with work desks, free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs with premium cable, and coffee makers. Upgrading to a suite gets you a separate living area and a microwave. The property offers a living room-style lobby, an outdoor courtyard, an American restaurant, a business center, three meeting rooms, a whirlpool, an indoor pool, a fitness room, and free parking.
Best Restaurants in West Orange, NJ
For the best eats in West Orange, you have several choices. Kim's Sushi is a cozy BYOB Japanese restaurant offering fresh sushi and salads. For upscale dining, head to Primavera Restaurant at The Wilshire Grand Hotel, which serves fine Italian dishes as well as tapas. You also can't go wrong with Sefarat Mediterranean Cuisine, which serves up delicious babagannush, tabuleh, gyros, and kebabs.
No matter what your itinerary includes, West Orange offers a diverse range of hotel options. Whether you're looking for a luxury accommodation or a budget-friendly lodging that can help save you money, you can find the perfect hotel in West Orange to meet your needs.
FAQs about hotels in West Orange