You’re driving down Scudders Mill Road, and if you aren’t looking closely, you might miss the turn. It’s tucked away. Really tucked away. Most people think of the Crowne Plaza Princeton NJ as just another corporate box where people in suits talk about quarterly earnings. Honestly? That’s only half the story.
It is actually a massive, 27-acre campus that feels more like a secluded woodland retreat than a standard IHG property. They call it a "Conference Center," which sounds a bit dry, but when you see the lakefront and the way the trees swallow up the noise from the highway, you realize it’s something else entirely. It's a weird, cool hybrid of a high-tech bunker and a summer camp.
The Reality of the "Conference Center" Tag
Let’s be real. When a hotel puts "Conference Center" in its name, you expect beige walls and stale coffee. This place is different. We're talking 60,000 square feet of meeting space. To put that in perspective, you could basically host a small city’s worth of conventions here without everyone stepping on each other's toes.
They have a 360-seat amphitheater. Yeah, a literal theater inside the hotel.
If you’re there for work, you’ll probably spend a lot of time in the "Princeton Conference Center at Forrestal" wing. It’s IACC-approved, which is basically the gold standard for meeting nerds. But for the rest of us? The draw is the 291 rooms that actually offer enough space to breathe.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Walking into a room here, the first thing you notice is the desk. It’s big. Not "I can fit my laptop" big, but "I can spread out three monitors and a lukewarm pizza" big.
- The Sleep Advantage: Crowne Plaza does this thing with "Sleep Advantage" kits—lavender spray and better linens. It sounds like a gimmick, but it actually helps when you’re jet-lagged.
- The Tech: You’ve got 55-inch TVs and Wi-Fi that doesn't crawl. In 2026, if the Wi-Fi is slow, the hotel is basically a paperweight. Thankfully, this one holds up.
- The Views: If you can, ask for a room facing the lake. Looking at water beats looking at a parking lot every single time.
The "Secret" Sports Complex
This is the part most people get wrong. They check in, go to their room, and never realize there’s a full-blown athletic club hidden inside.
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Most hotels give you a treadmill and a dumbbell that smells like old pennies. The Crowne Plaza Princeton NJ has three racquetball courts. It has a squash court. It even has a half-basketball court indoors.
I’ve seen business travelers in full suits suddenly realize there’s a hoop and spend twenty minutes shooting free throws before a presentation. It’s a great way to bleed off stress. Plus, the indoor pool is actually "Olympic-sized" (well, close enough for laps) and heated, so you can use it even when Jersey weather is being miserable in February.
Eating and Drinking at Forrestal
You don't really want to leave the property once you’re settled. It’s a bit of a trek to get to Nassau Street in downtown Princeton—maybe 10 or 15 minutes depending on traffic.
So, you eat at the Forrestal Grille.
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It’s solid. Is it Michelin-star dining? No. But the breakfast buffet is expansive, and they do a la carte options if you’re not feeling the "all-you-can-eat" vibe.
Then there’s the Flight Martini & Wine Lounge. This is where the magic happens. It overlooks the lake, and the bartenders there actually know how to make a drink. Happy hour runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and it’s usually packed with locals from the nearby pharma companies (Novo Nordisk and Bristol-Myers Squibb are right next door) and hotel guests. It’s a vibe. Kinda moody, very comfortable.
The Location Logistics
The address is 900 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro. Note the "Plainsboro" part. If you tell your GPS "Princeton," it might get confused.
You’re basically halfway between New York and Philly.
- The Shuttle: They have a free shuttle that goes within a 5-mile radius. Use it. Parking in downtown Princeton is a nightmare.
- The Trails: There are jogging trails winding through the 27 acres. If you’re a runner, this is your heaven.
- The Train: Princeton Junction is about 10 minutes away. From there, you can be in Penn Station in about an hour.
Is it Worth It?
Prices fluctuate wildly. I’ve seen rooms go for $90 on a quiet Sunday and $400 during a major university event. Honestly, if you can snag it for under $150, it’s one of the best values in the area.
The building itself was built in the mid-80s (it was the old Scanticon center), so some corners feel a bit dated if you’re looking for ultra-modern minimalism. But what it lacks in "newness," it makes up for in scale and amenities. It doesn't feel like a cramped city hotel. It feels wide.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a trip, check the Princeton University calendar first. If it's graduation or a big football weekend, this place fills up months in advance.
Book a "Lake View" room and pack your sneakers. You’ll regret it if you see those racquetball courts and realize you left your gear at home. Also, if you’re a morning person, the trails around the lake at sunrise are the best-kept secret in Plainsboro.