"We're seeing a rise in airport hotel developments, with almost 20 airport properties in the current Crowne Plaza Americas portfolio, and another three are in the pipeline," says Gina LaBarre, vice president of brand management for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, the Americas. "This hotel's location at the entrance to one of the most visited areas in the world provides us with the opportunity to grow our brand recognition among travelers coming here from all over the world."

Newark Liberty International, which straddles the border between this city and neighboring Newark, is the country's 10th busiest airport with an annual passenger count of more than 36 million in 2007, and the country's fifth busiest international gateway. Located at 901 Spring St. in Elizabeth, the hotel property also has 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a business center and an airport shuttle service.

"We invested $10 million in order to bring this property up to Crowne Plaza brand standards," says David Dobrowski of Newark Four Port LLC. "We're very pleased with the result. The brand's focus allows us to offer these accommodations and meetings facilities just a short distance from New York City. The hotel is 15 miles from Manhattan."