By: Marcia Abramson
Somehow my daughter, Jill Wasser, and I avoided all the heavy weekend travel leaving New York heading for Jersey and did arrive at the gracious Westminster Hotel without too much of a hassle. We were escorted to our garden-level room next to an inviting pool, fitness room and the newly activated spa. The hotel is described as the "hotel of choice" for business and social events and I do think we saw a bar mitzvah party leaving as we checked in. It is part of the newly incorporated Westminster Hospitality Group, which was the former Travel Lodge Hotel on this site. The Kushner companies of New Jersey have undertaken a $25 million rehabilitation and renovation program of this property to make it a prime corporate locale with a close proximity to New York City. They claim it's only 30 to 40 minutes away from Broadway.
The Westminster opened its operation 10 months ago with a wide assortment of accommodations ranging from spacious doubles to one-bedroom suites and kitchenette facilities for long-term guests. I also noted that the rates compared more than favorable with NYC hotels for much smaller rooms.
Shortly after arriving at the hotel, we decided to explore the nearby environs, which included the upscale Short Hills Mall, which is a replica of the Bal Harbor Mall in South Florida. The hotel has a complimentary shuttle which deposited us there in less than 15 minutes. We felt that two hours would give us sufficient time to explore Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier's, Van Cleef and Arpels, Tiffany and Bloomingdale's. It didn't take us long to find the Kiehl's counter at Saks where we made some purchases at a savings of almost 3 percent in Jersey sales tax. Our driver, Grant, from the Westminster was prompt and waiting at the appointed spot to take us back to the hotel in time for dinner.
Our dinner was at the Strip House Restaurant, the sister steak house to the NYC Strip House with equally exquisite food. It is hard to beat the table shared Chilled Shellfish Cocktail which consisted of lump crab meat salad, lobster claws, calamari, tuna tartar, crab legs with the appropriate sauces and its own unique serving tools. Jill had the Sea and Turf of a lobster tail and sirloin steak and I had more than I could deal with in a Herb Crusted Lamb Rack of six chops with Dijon mustard and (white bean stew which tasted like my favorite Heinz Vegetarian Baked Beans). My daughter managed to nibble on the famous 24-layer Strip House Chocolate Cake (featured in a Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogue at $120 a slice some time ago), while I merely looked at the Strip House Cheesecake made with a gramcracker crust topped with a mixed berry compote. The food, under the direction of Chef David Walzog, was superb, but I knew where I was going to spend the next day.
Jill and I planned to try to work off all those calories at the Health and Fitness Center before heading home. We made good use of the sophisticated exercise equipment, the electronic treadmills, the rowers, and a new source for water exercise. This was our first experience with the Aquatic Bike. It is a high resistance work out with the buoyancy of water which allows for a safe low-impact work out session. An ideal program for me. I am ready to believe that it is the remedy to increase strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and circulation. I am also ready to accept the claim that it is perfect for arthritis pain relief and rehabilitation.
Just a few doors away from the Fitness Center is the Spa where Jill and I luxuriated with soothing hot stone massages in the new treatment rooms. The rooms are darkened with delightful relaxing music filling the airwaves. What a way to end a getaway weekend!
Until Nov. 15, the Westminster also promises to have a basket in every guest room on the weekends for their guest to enjoy the apple and pumpkin fields nearby and take advantage of the "Apples and Pumpkins Ripe for Picking" to add to a pleasurable autumn get away. It was a little too wet for my daughter and I to bring home the produce this weekend, but it was still very pleasurable to spend this time together. Perhaps they will be waiting for you.You can get more information on the Westminster Hotel from your travel professional.
Copyright © by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
