I too have had the opposite experiences as LiorM has recently had. Most recently, I was in the lounge for first class at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott and it was great. I was there early, had the first class area practically to myself (one other person using a laptop quietly) and there was food available! Not like the garbage that they had in the British Airways lounge in the terminal. Plus, the fact that you're outside the airport, it feels much more like a lounge and not an airport lounge, completely relaxed.

There is one remaining spot within the airport for a lounge to be built. I really hope that El Al pursues it, but until then, this is a great alternative.