Thanks everyone! I appreciate the input. I feel better about going with Jersey City. Transportation should be fine. I think I can take NJ Transit to Newark Penn and then PATH to Jersey City. Not a big deal since I would have been taking NJ Transit to NY Penn and then subway, if staying in NYC.
Thanks to bostonpilot for the Union Square Cafe suggestion, I will be sure to check it out! Glad to hear you liked the HP. I am actually staying there the Fri/Sat of my stay. I'll be taking the LIRR out of Penn Station early on a Sat morning, so wanted to be close. Agree with you on breakfast.. free is nice bonus, but with so many options in NYC don't care too much.
Thanks again, you are all so nice
