Clarion Hotel & Conference Center

For local users exploring options within the "Hotels Near Of Me" category in Toms River, New Jersey, the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, located at 815 Route 37W, Toms River, NJ 08755, presents itself as a property with a diverse range of features and varying guest experiences. It aims to cater to both business and leisure travelers, offering conference facilities alongside standard hotel amenities. The hotel can be contacted at (732) 228-4279 or +1 732-228-4279.

The environment of the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, as described by the hotel, includes upgraded spaces, a full-service restaurant and bar, a 24-hour business center, and both an indoor and seasonal outdoor pool. It is also promoted as being convenient to nearby businesses and major airports. However, guest reviews paint a more nuanced picture. While some recent reviews commend the property for being "very pretty," "very clean," and having "comfortable beds," other experiences highlight significant concerns. One particularly negative review, possibly from 2025, described a "pet friendly" room as "destroyed" and "not vacuumed when we arrived," raising serious questions about the actual cleanliness and maintenance of specific room types. This same review also details "very very creepy things" occurring behind the hotel, including individuals "legit hung out the window" and "jump in and out of the window all day," with "very young kids laughing and talking out the window" at odd hours. Furthermore, the reviewer claims to have observed "defiantly deals going on in the back of the hotel parking lot," suggesting a less-than-desirable external environment. These conflicting reports indicate that the perceived environment can vary significantly depending on the room location and guest's awareness of surrounding activities.

In terms of services, the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center offers a range of standard hotel provisions. These include a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping (though one guest stated they were told it was "only upon request," which was contradicted by staff attempting to clean their room), and laundry facilities. The hotel provides complimentary WiFi throughout the property. Dining options include Ike's Pub & Grill, an on-site American cuisine restaurant and bar, serving lunch, dinner, and happy hour. A buffet breakfast is also available, though it generally incurs an extra charge, approximately $10.66 per person, and is offered from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM on weekdays and 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekends. Some reviews have praised the breakfast as "ample and fresh" with "good variety," while others noted confusion over whether breakfast was included. The hotel also has multilingual staff to assist a diverse range of guests.

The features of the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center are geared towards both leisure and business. For recreation, there is a seasonal outdoor pool (typically open from June to September, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM), an indoor pool, and a new fitness room. Some rooms reportedly offer hydromassage showerheads. Business amenities include a 24-hour business center, 4 to 5 meeting rooms, and a total event space of approximately 3,500 to over 9,000 square feet, capable of hosting conferences, social events, and weddings. Free self-parking is available on-site, including space for RVs, buses, and trucks, and an electric car charging station is also provided.

Guest rooms are stated to be air-conditioned and include safes, coffee/tea makers, refrigerators, microwaves, desks, phones, and ironing facilities. Premium satellite television and free local calls are also listed as amenities. Cribs/infant beds are available on request, and some rooms feature sofa beds. The hotel also offers connecting rooms. However, the previously mentioned review regarding a "destroyed" pet-friendly room suggests that the condition and actual amenities within individual rooms might fall short of expectations, especially for the price point cited (almost $1,000 for 4 nights). While some reviews praise "clean" and "comfortable rooms" with "quality mattresses and pillows," the inconsistency is a critical factor for potential guests. The hotel also notes that there is no elevator, meaning upper floors are accessible only by stairs.

One of the most significant features, and a point of contention in reviews, is the hotel's pet-friendly policy. While it allows for dogs, the negative experience of a guest with a "destroyed" pet-friendly room is a crucial detail for pet owners to consider. The hotel indicates it is 100% smoke-free. The minimum age for check-in is 21. Check-in is typically 4:00 PM, and check-out is 11:00 AM.

The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center's location at 815 Route 37W is strategically placed within Toms River, offering relatively easy access to local attractions. It is a short drive from popular Jersey Shore destinations such as Seaside Heights Boardwalk (within a 15-minute drive, or about 9.6 miles), and the scenic beaches of Island Beach State Park (about 11.4 miles). Inland, the hotel is minutes away from the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena (formerly Pine Belt Arena), a venue for concerts, trade shows, and basketball games (about 4 miles away). Other nearby points of interest include the Ocean County Mall (about 5.2 miles), Insectropolis (1.8 miles), and the Toms River Seaport Society (2.8 miles). For those visiting Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, it is approximately 6 miles away.

Regarding promotional information, the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center is a recipient of the Choice Gold Hospitality Award, based on positive guest reviews. This suggests that a significant number of guests have had satisfactory experiences. Online review platforms show overall ratings that are "Very Good" (around 8.3-8.6 out of 10), with high scores for cleanliness (8.7-9.0), location (8.5-8.6), and staff & service (8.8-9.0). However, the specific negative review mentioned earlier, particularly concerning room condition and perceived safety issues in the parking lot area, starkly contrasts these higher scores. This disparity suggests that while many guests might have positive stays, there are significant exceptions. Potential guests are advised to consider the implications of these outlier experiences, particularly if traveling as a single woman or with pets, and to inquire about specific room conditions and locations. The hotel's website highlights "upgraded spaces," "hearty and healthy breakfast," and a "modern fitness center" as reasons to stay. While these general promotions exist, the very specific and concerning details from one recent review about the "pet-friendly" room and the area behind the hotel are vital for local users to be aware of when making their decision.