After spending time in New York with the GT gang, I booked myself an extra day and night in Newark to get in some uninterrupted laptop time and to also help a Jersey friend with some computer issues, tech geek that I am. I shopped around for hotels near Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) with business-traveler-on-a-budget criteria in mind. I wanted a free shuttle to the airport, a large room with a bed, sofa and substantial work area, high-speed Internet access (preferably wireless and preferably free), F&B outlets on-site (and preferably room service), and whatever other amenities I could get. And then I started shopping by price. The Four Points by Sheraton Newark Airport had all the above, and then some–fitness center, indoor pool, gift shop/market, deli. Rack rate was $105, but both Expedia and Hotels.com had a special that included an executive deluxe upgrade for $80.50. Sold. My room was 1105, on the top floor, labeled a Starwood Preferred Guest room. It was a spacious variation on the standard-hotel theme–bath and closet off the entrance, opening into a large room with a window at the far end. My view was over highways to the airport tarmac; the Newark Liberty tower was framed in the middle of the window. Soundproofing was good, with no traffic noise; only twice did I hear the roar of an airplane engine. Recent remodeling was evident, and the medium-size bath was attractive, with a long granite vanity and an array of Caswell-Massey amenities. The bed was comfortable, the furniture chain-hotel-standard in faux cherry. The desk was large, with an actual office chair, and the wireless worked flawlessly. There was an in-room coffeemaker, but the deli downstairs had a Starbucks-type coffee and tea menu that was more tempting. After days of dining out I enjoyed being able to grab a sandwich and salad from the deli and a Snapple from the mini-market. Now for the downside. While the lobby was spacious and the check-in staff pleasant and helpful, there was no bell staff evident–typical of this category–so I schlepped my own bag. Despite the recent remodel and the overall fresh, clean appearance, there was a large chip missing from the glass shade of the desk lamp, and a smashed-in side of the paper shade of the bedside lamp. And there was an amoeba-shaped stain on the carpet, smack in the center of the hallway. Those three glaring physical flaws unfortunately mark this down from a great deal to someplace I’d hesitate to recommend. My room service breakfast was also marked up by $4 more than the menu showed–when I complained, they offered to knock off 15 percent, and I had to point out that they had overcharged me by 30 percent before they grudgingly agreed to honor the menu price. Oh, and the courtesy shuttle driver dropped me off at arrivals rather than departures, which I didn’t realize until he was already gone. Overall, I’d say I got my money’s worth–plenty of business-traveler amenities and a comfortable bed–but the drawbacks keep me from calling it a bargain. –Mary Hunt, editor, eFlyer