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EAST WINDSOR: Hotel thrives

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   EAST WINDSOR — The township, located right off the New Jersey Turnpike, has been a popular stop for travelers this summer.
   The Hampton Inn East Windsor, 384 Monmouth St., was sold out frequently this July. It opened in 2005 and celebrated its seventh anniversary July 15.
   ”The average price runs from $119 to $129 during the weekend. It does vary in the summertime,” said General Manager Resham “Rae” Surati-Lokhandwala during an interview with the Herald on July 17.
   She said summer and holiday rates may run as high as $139 per night.
   In June, East Windsor’s Hampton Inn received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
   Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala, of East Windsor, noted that only the top 10 percent of all hotels in the country receive this “prestigious” award.
   The hotel offers guests a complimentary breakfast and evening snacks, and folks also can relax in the facility’s indoor heated pool.
   ”We have a really good staff,” Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala said. “I think that really does help people (decide) where to stay.”
   The hotel employs 15 to 20 staff members, depending on the season, and three managers.
   ”In the summertime, we do need more help,” Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala said.
   The hotel has a meeting room available for $200 to $240 per session.
   The hotel lobby, dining area and fitness center will undergo renovations this fall, according to Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala. Changes to the fitness center will include a new floor and updated sports equipment.
   Also, the hotel offers guests to-go bags for breakfast, which include a muffin, apple, breakfast bar and mints.
   The Hampton Inn East Windsor has 80 rooms with a capacity of 150 to 250 guests per night, according to Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala.
   Lisa Hodges, of Highland Mills, New York, was visiting the hotel with her husband, Ray Hodges, and daughter, Gabrielle Hodges.
   ”It got good reviews,” Mr. Hodges said, noting the family had come from the beach. “We love Hampton Inn.”
   ”We’re a middle point between people going south and heading north,” said Domonique Franklin, of Robbinsville, who is the assistant general manager at the hotel.
   ”I like all guests (to be) very happy,” said Housekeeping Manager Lucky Diaz, of Hamilton, who has been in the hospitality business for almost 24 years.
   Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala said, “We are able to give a really great guest experience.”
   ”It’s a good industry to be in because you deal with people,” Ms. Franklin said. “You get different people from different walks of life. You get people here for a family vacation and people here for a funeral so you need to find the balance to make sure each type (of guest) is happy with their stay here.”
   The hotel’s staff also promotes local businesses to its guests. Two of the restaurants recommended include the Americana Diner in East Windsor and the Tavern on the Lake in Hightstown.
   ”They consistently have excellent food and great service so we don’t have a problem recommending them to our guests,” said Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala, who graduated from Rutgers with an economics major and chemistry minor.
   She said the hotel also highly recommends Sabrina’s Pizzeria in East Windsor, which also offers takeout.
   As for the police and firefighters of East Windsor, Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala said, “They are excellent. The Fire Department and the Police Department here are extremely responsive and very helpful.”
   Of the hotel’s Monmouth Street location, she said, “Historically, this used to be the Hightstown Ballroom,” adding some guests share memories of the ballroom with hotel staff during their stay.
   Of the TripAdvisor recognition, Ms. Surati-Lokhandwala said, it is “great for the brand and great for us and just East Windsor in general. It is a really great way for guests to tell their experience.”
   A Hilton brand hotel, the Hampton Inn East Windsor is owned by Surati Management Group, of East Brunswick.
   ”We are honored that Hampton Inn East Windsor received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Phil Cordell, who is the global head for focused service and Hampton brand management of Hilton Worldwide. “We are always striving to share our friendly culture of ‘Hamptonality’ with our guests — going above and beyond to ensure they have a memorable experience. We’re thrilled to see that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.”
   For more information, visit www.hampton.com.