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Thanks to The Bungalow Hotel, NYT Has Called New Jersey 'Chic'

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 50 Laird St [map], Long Branch, NJ, United States, 07740-8100
August 3, 2009 at 11:05 AM | by | Comments (0)

For this week’s Check In, Check Out column, the New York Times made a foray into Jersey chic. No, we’re not talking gold chain necklaces or even teased hair puffs (we kid!), but, you know, Long Branch’s Bungalow Hotel on the Jersey Shore.

The Bungalow opened in May and is the Shore’s first boutique hotel, with just 24 stylish rooms. They sold out their opening weekend — no small feat in this economy, no matter how small the property.

Highlights: Designed by Robert and Cortney Novogratz, who the NYT says are subjects of a Bravo reality show to debut this fall, the hotel’s rooms are “spacious and cheerful,” combining contemporary accents and furniture “meant to recall seaside hotels past.” Beachy perks include a kitchenette, gas fireplace, flat-screen TV with built-in DVD player, and kid-friendly games like Boggle. The bathroom is “sleek and sparkling.” Lobby comes stocked with a vintage foosball table and bar area; for $25 a day, guests can lounge at Le Club, an exclusive club with a restaurant and rooftop pool. Also: free Wi-Fi and coffee and tea in the lobby.

Lowlights: Located inland rather than on the oceanfront promenade, the Bungalow is next to a parking structure and only offers ocean views from three rooms. There’s no room service either, though local restaurants deliver and a bakery café on the ground floor is set to open soon.

Bottom line: “With a starting price of $249 ($399 on weekends), the lack of water views came as a surprise,” writes the NYT. “But the rooms are so spacious and well-designed that we didn’t feel cooped up, even on a very rainy day, which is the ultimate test of a resort hotel.”

[Photo: Laura Pebrick for The New York Times]

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