Long Island Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Central to everything!!
Written: Feb 03 '03 (Updated Mar 30 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great location for western Long Island destinations.
Cons: Very large for some
The Bottom Line: If you are coming to Long Island for business or pleasure you will find the staff here very accommodating.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Marriott Long Island |
I live on Long Island and though we are heavily taxed and are known for heavy traffic we still have many pluses that make this a great place to live. In the same way I will recommend the Long Island Marriott Hotel, its very busy and yet it also has much to offer.
WHERE IS IT?
The hotel is one of Long Islands "skyscrapers' at about twelve stories high. Long island is basically a big sandbar. There isn't any good bedrock on which to anchor very tall buildings. This is one of dozen or so taller structures on the island. One mention, this is a pretty L-O-N-G Island. It starts on the west with part of New York City. Queens and Kings county, also well known as Brooklyn, are two of the five boroughs that make up NYC. From here you continue east to Nassau County and then on to Suffolk County. The "island", as we refer to it, goes east about one hundred miles to Montauk Point and Orient Point.
Smack in the middle of Nassau County is where you will find the hotel. It is off Meadowbrook Parkway which is part of the state highway system on the island. Public transportation on the island, though not the best, can get you to the hotel. Trains out on Penn station in NYC can get you to Jamaica, Queens, and from there you can get bus service to the hotel. The only way from the area airports, Kennedy, and La Guardia is by taxi or Limo service. The hotel offers no shuttle service anywhere. By car, the hotel is about Forty five minutes to Broadway, and a half an hour from the airports.
WHAT'S NEARBY?
As I mentioned it is in the middle of the island and therefore, by car, well located. It is actually just a very short walk to The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum where the Islander NHL Hockey team and the Dragons of indoor arena football play. There are some great concerts there too. My young girls recently saw the Back Street Boys and a host of other young idols there. Going back quite a few years my wife and I stayed in line overnight and were able to get tickets to see that guy by the name of Elvis. Yes, that was a few years ago. Ice shows, circus performances, and many other exciting events are staged at the Coliseum, just next door to the Marriott.
Also less than a mile a way is the new Cradle of Aviation Museum. Long Island is well known for its early pioneering in aviation. The hotel sits in the same fields that Charles Lindberg set off on his historic flight to Europe. I recommend the museum for any visitors. The IMAX shows are awesome too! It's about eighteen dollars for the museum, movie, and simulator ride. Right next door to this museum is the Long Island Children's Museum. It's a good one. Be sure to read about it.
Hofstra University is within walking distance and Adelphi is just a few miles away. The Nassau Community College is also walking distance from the hotel.
Jump on the parkway and you will be at Jones Beach in just eight minutes. Shopping at some of the worlds largest retail stores ans malls is just minutes away too. There are nearby movie theatres. Again, I do mention that a car is necessary for getting around Long Island.
THE LOBBY
So let's now talk a bit about the hotel. It is also a convention center so as you enter it can be a bit overwhelming. You are pulled in different directions. It is, however, large, clean, and does have a very helpful staff. There is an ATM, gift shop, and coffee shop here. The desk does accommodate foreign exchange. The concierge, though I never used him was always with a big smile and seemed to be helping, with enthusiasm, those he was talking to.
CONVENTION CENTER
As a convention center that is well located to the Coliseum it does have a very large ground floor. The place has almost thirty thousand square feet of meeting area. I participate in an annual convention here with my business. They do draw a great crowd and the staff does their best to make all run smoothly.
Having said that, I am not very high on the place as a warm place to stay. I do recommend it if you plan to be out doing the town. I also do not suggest it as a place to do the city from. It is too far. Just book in the city. My wife and I sometimes like to have a getaway weekend at nearby hotels on the island. This is not a place we have used for that purpose.
THE ROOMS
The regular rooms are a nice size but not huge. They are comfortable but in todays market of larger rooms these are a bit on the smaller size. The rooms are done in a nautical theme with blue carpeting that was very clean and well maintained. The king size bed suits me well. The rooms have desks and also a comfortable chair. Telephone and internet service are available along with a large TV with cable stations and pay per view movies. I must note the non-smoking rooms did not have any cigarette odors to them.
On the desk is the coffee maker with Gourmet Brew brand coffee. The room also has a clock radio and iron and board. There is ample closet and storage space for a couple of days stay. An ice bucket and glasses were in the room. They did not have a mini-bar or safe.
The bathroom was quite small for a major hotel. Nothing special about it. They do offer shampoos, rinses, and body lotions. The shower and tub water is good and hot with plenty of pressure. A hair dryer and plenty of bright light and mirrors made grooming easy. Towels were soft, large, and plentiful.
A ROOM WITH A VIEW?
There are no decks but I do recommend getting a room with a view on the west side of the hotel. From there on the upper floors you get a view of the NYC skyline. The towers of Hofstra do block a bit of it but you may get to see a beautiful sunset behind the skyline. You are quite a distance from the city so it is definitely in the distance but even to this guy it is an inspiring view. I do however miss the Twin Towers.
RESTAURANTS
The hotel has about four restaurants. I say about, because it seems that at least one is always closed or changing a bit. Champions, a sports bar can always be counted on. It offers good food and a good Monday Night Football crowd. I've been there a few times and enjoyed it. For quieter dining, though I have never tried it, is Allies' American Grill. It is candle lit and looks good but it is open to the lobby area. To me, that makes it lose some of it's romantic appeal. In the lobby area is also the Skylight Cafe that is open for breakfast. No free meals at this hotel.
BUSINESS CENTER
The hotel also offers a business center where you can use computers and the internet by charging the use time to a credit card.
RELAX AND PAMPER YOURSELF
Downstairs, under the lobby area is a pool and jacuzzi. It is offset from the building and there are atrium skylights above letting in natural light. There is also a Spa Center with saunas with state of the art equipment. The staff here are also very attentive and friendly. Massages are also available. In this area you can also find a hair salon. With my balding crown it's not much use to me.
Coin operated washers and dryers are in this area for your personal use. Now doesn't that sound like fun!?! Of course they have valet service in the room if needed.
Overall I do recommend this place for it's location and friendly and attentive staff. If you want to go to a convention ask them when the next "Chocolate Convention" is. Now that one was heavenly!! Come some day and enjoy Long Island. If you ever have any LI questions please feel free to Email me.
UPDATE March, 04
My daughter was married last month. She had plans to leave for her honeymoon the next day. For her honeymoon night I had called ahead and booked this hotel for her.
After returning home the next week she had nothing but VERY positive words for the service, the room and her breakfast the next day. She and her husband truly enjoyed every moment of their stay. She has already told me she plans to return on her anniversary.
Thank you Marriott
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OUTBACK Restaurant / Friendly's / Cold Stone Creamery / Cozymel's
Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster
The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King
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Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
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Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
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Recommended:
Yes
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