I had a forced overnight at EWR after a 9-hr MX delay out of MXP in May. I had been told by someone else on the flight that as a 1K I'd be given a choice of decent hotels, but that turned out not to be the case. UA had booked me at a not-so-great hotel 30 minutes away, and presented it as a fait accompli. I told them that wasn't acceptable. I asked to be booked at the Marriott. The agent had to get the supervisor's approval, but they did it. I think if you can make a good case for a better hotel (like distance and an airport shuttle) you have a much better shot.