Local Hotels & Accommodations
Choosing a hotel for your wedding is fun, but comparing the options can be super overwhelming! We visited and interviewed the closest hotels to Rock Island to give you a clear comparison and provide you with the most up-to-date information on each. Below is a list in order by distance to our venue.
the aspen house (.2 miles)
This brand new lakefront Airbnb is Sussex County’s newest getaway. This house sleeps 12 people and is complete with 3 bedrooms, a den plus queen sofa beds. Each bedroom has an attached private bathroom. The house has two full kitchens, two living rooms, a game garage, indoor & outdoor fireplaces, and a large deck with a hot tub and outdoor seating to bask in the quiet lake views. Though this house is located right next to our sister venue Rock Island Lake Club, it has hosted couples and guests from all different wedding venues in the Sussex County area.
Beds: Couples suite with 1 king; 2nd bedroom with 1 queen; 3rd bedroom with 2 queens; 1 den with queen sofa bed; 1 additional queen sofa bed
After Parties: Not allowed at this property
Pool: Hot tub only
Contact Information: Access the property directly on Airbnb & message the host Jamie: https://airbnb.com/h/aspenhousesparta
the courtyard marriott, mt. arlington (13 miles)
The Courtyard Marriott MTA is conveniently located right off Route 80 {exit 30} near the Mount Arlington Train Station. When you first walk in, you’re welcomed by an open floorplan with a bar, lounge area and café. They have a total of 125 rooms. The rooms were new, cozy and clean! This hotel definitely had one of the most modern look of them all throughout our tours. They have a courtyard with a new fireplace, gym, café, bar and private conference rooms {to rent for after parties/private breakfast}. The rooms are fully-equipped with TVs, an iron, microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker. Everything is newly renovated at the Courtyard MTA, making it a comfortable setting for everyone.
Most Popular Package for Weddings: The Sapphire Package: with 15 rooms booked on the evening of your wedding – special rates per room for King & Doubles; 1 comp room for newlyweds on evening of your wedding; complimentary breakfast for newlyweds; $200 credit toward preferred shuttle company
Rooms: 1-King Guest Room, 2-Queen Guest Room, Couples Suite {1-King + Sofa Bed} – suites must be requested in advance
Shuttles: $200 credit toward preferred shuttle company when you book a Sapphire or Opal package
Breakfast: Private breakfast buffet or prepaid breakfast options {all additional charge} – option for free breakfast voucher in Opal package
After Party: Available in the open lounge area & bar
Bar/BYOB: Bar available. No BYOB
Pool: No | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: The Bistrob
Latest Renovations: 2021
Contact Info: 973-770-2000 | events.cy@opalhotelsgroup.com {Julia}
the holiday inn, mt. arlington (13 miles)
Located right off exit 30 on Route 80, The Holiday Inn Mt. Arlington is a newly renovated 78-room hotel right down the street from the Courtyard Marriott. We love this one for its inclusive wedding packages, new design and super clean rooms! This is a great place to stay! Linda is super friendly and helpful throughout the booking process.
Most Popular Package for Weddings: The Gold Package: 20+ rooms booked the night of the wedding, complementary suite, $300 check to be sent after checkout, complimentary meeting room for afterparties, complimentary breakfast.
Rooms: Kings & double suites
Shuttles: Credit not offered, but package above includes $300 check
Breakfast: Included with everyone’s room
After Party: Upon availability there is an afterparty room
Bar/BYOB: No bar available. BYOB allowed
Pool: No | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: No
Contact Info: 973-770-7880 | sales.hiexpressnj@gmail.com {Linda}
the hilton garden inn, rockaway (14 miles)
The Hilton Garden Inn Rockaway is located just 20 minutes from Rock Island and conveniently located right off Route 80, amidst a shopping center in Rockaway NJ. It’s surrounded by retail stores, a mall, restaurants, bars, spas, salons, an AMC movie theatre and more! It’s a great location if you have travelers from out of town staying for the weekend too! We love the bar and outdoor patio for after gatherings.
Most Popular Package for Weddings: Room block package: 25+ rooms earns complimentary couples room
Rooms: 1-King Guest Room, 2-Queen Guest Room, Couples Suite {King Deluxe} {1-King + Sofa Bed} – suites must be requested in advance
Shuttles: Credit not offered. Should you want to book transportation, they provide a list of shuttle companies
Breakfast: Available for an additional charge
After Party: Available in the open lounge area & bar for no additional charge. Option to have a private after party in banquet room with a bar cart at additional charge
Bar/BYOB: Bar available. No BYOB
Pool: Yes | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: Yes
Latest Renovations: About 7 years ago, but planning to renovate November 2023
Contact Info: 973-328-0600 | Jessica.Theiss@Hilton.com
the towneplace suites by marriott, rockaway (14 miles)
The Towneplace Suites is at the top of our list when it comes to comfort and cleanliness. This newly-renovated, pet-friendly, 102-room hotel has it all: cute rooms, new amenities, fresh atmosphere, a laundry room, pool, fitness center, breakfast buffet and a map of town on the wall! We love how all the rooms feel upgraded, and of course the fun and inspirational quotes decorated on the walls! Conveniently located right off Route 80, this hotel is right next to the Homewood Suites {literally, their parking lots are merged} and right down the street from the Rockaway Mall, shopping centers and AMC movie theatre.
Most Popular Package for Weddings: Group rate with a minimum of 12 rooms; complimentary king bed suite for couple on their wedding night
Rooms: 1-King Studio
Shuttles: $200 shuttle credit to Broadway Elite if you book 15+ rooms
Breakfast: Breakfast buffet included
After Party: No after parties {local recommendations available}
Bar/BYOB: No bar
Pool: Yes | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: No
Contact Info: 973-659-9999 | Laura.Giordano@marriott.com
the fairfield inn & suites rockaway (16 miles)
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Rockaway is a Marriott hotel, less than 20 minutes from Rock Island. This 106-room hotel is the newest on the block! What we love most about this hotel is how clean and nice it is. We also love the flexibility and friendliness of the staff!
Most Popular Package for Weddings: Wedding group package – complimentary suite for the couple on the night of their wedding after 20 paid and consumed room nights. Discount rates on all room types; King, Double Queen’s and King Suites.
Rooms: King, Double Queens and King Suites
Shuttles: No credit
Breakfast: Complimentary hot/cold breakfast buffet
After Party: No after parties {local recommendations available}
Bar/BYOB: No bar
Pool: Yes | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: No – but the Rockaway River Barn & Hibernia Diner are right across the street.
Contact Info: 973-554-4090 | kristen@annahospitality.com {Kristen}
the sheraton parsippany by marriott (23 miles)
The Sheraton Parsippany is a beautiful, grand castle hotel with a trendy bar & restaurant inside. Though a bit more of a distance from the venue {~30 min}, it has a great location and they include a shuttle {which might be worth the extra 10 minutes from the other hotels}! This massive 370-room hotel is located right off Route 80 and only 30 minutes from the airport and New York City {great for traveling guests}! The in-house restaurant is perfect for getting all 3 done in one location if you stay the night before: rehearsal dinner, after party & breakfast!
Most Popular Package for Weddings: Guestrooms with transportation included
Rooms: Kings, doubles, queens and suites
Shuttles: Shuttle can be included {through ‘My Limo’} with special room package {+$40 per room vs. without transportation}
Breakfast: Available daily and can be added into the room packages
After Party: Available at the bar or private event spaces
Bar/BYOB: Amuse Bar is open daily; no BYOB
Pool: Yes | Gym: Yes {10,000 sq. foot health & aquatic center}
In-House Restaurant: Amuse Bar & Restaurant: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Latest Renovations: Event spaces 2019; guestroom plans start in Q4 2022
Contact Info: russell.clarke@sheratonparsippany.com
the hanover marriott, whippany (24 miles)
The Hanover Marriott is the furthest from the venue but is another gorgeous, grand hotel recommended for a wedding stay! This comfortable and clean hotel has an Irish pub downstairs, perfect for rehearsal dinners & after parties. The Hanover Marriott is surrounded by top-rated restaurants, and it is one of the top hotels located near The Short Hills Mall, Metlife Stadium and The American Dream, making it perfect for an extended stay in Morris County, New Jersey.
Most Popular Package for Weddings: Wedding room block: once 15+ rooms are booked through your block, the couple of honor will get a standard king room complimentary for 1 night. There is an option to upgrade to a suite as well
Rooms: 1-King, 2-Full, King Suite, Hospitality Suite
Shuttles: Credit not offered. Should you want to book transportation, they provide a list of shuttle companies
Breakfast: 3 options: {1} Private breakfast available for an additional charge with 20p; minimum; {2} Seeds restaurant open each weekend with breakfast voucher from B&G (10 room block max); {3} daily breakfast from a la carte menu for guests to order and pay on their own
After Party: The Auld Shebeen – typically closes at 12am/1:45am depending on the day but you can request an extension in advance if you plan to have a later after party
Bar/BYOB: Bar available
Pool: No | Gym: Yes | In-House Restaurant: The Auld Shebeen, Seeds
Latest Renovations: Just a few years ago and plan on renovating in 2022
Contact Info: 973-989-4672 | esmith@hanovermarriott.com {Erica}
Things to Consider When Booking a Hotel
Early Check-In: There are multiple wedding venues in the area, so there’s a high chance there was a wedding the night before your stay {unless you’re on a Thursday!}. Early check-in might not be possible {guests typically aren’t in a rush to leave the next morning!}. Guests should consider staying at the hotel the night before if it’s important for them to get to the hotel early.
Size: Consider the size of the hotel and the min/max amount of rooms you need for a block.
Popularity of Your Wedding Date: If your wedding is on a Saturday in October, the competition will be higher than, say, for someone with a Sunday wedding in February. If your date is in high demand, consider booking your room block as soon as the hotel allows you to.
In-House Dining Benefits: If the hotel has a restaurant/local dining, you could stay the night before and bang out all 3 at one place: {1} rehearsal dinner, {2} after party and {3} breakfast/brunch the next day!
Location: What is the most convenient for you? A far location from the venue might not seem ideal at first, but an extra 10-20 minutes on a shuttle isn’t bad when the crew is already ready to go!
Be Kind: It can be super frustrating when you want to book your hotel in advance, but it’s not early enough so your hotel won’t let you {especially during SUCH a busy year for weddings!}. 9 times out of 10 the hotel’s booking system physically will not let their staff book them out any earlier, so that is beyond their control!
Loud Crowd: If you’re booking an after party and know your wedding crowd is super rowdy, consider booking a private room so that you don’t disturb other guests staying at the hotel. A lot of the public areas are right near/in the front lobby. The Hilton Garden Inn at Rockaway has a private ballroom for after parties where they will wheel a bar cart into the private space so you can keep the party going!
Outside Space for Warmer Months: Consider looking at the hotels outside spaces if that’s important to you and guests during the warmer months!