NJ Hotels for NYC Visitors

Hi All.

I have family planning to visit the area next month, and they'd like to stay at NJ hotel to save a few dollars. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced (by East Coast standards, that is) NJ hotel w/fairly easy access (shuttle bus, public transport, etc.) to NYC?

Much appreciated.

How about a hotel in Brooklyn, like the Holiday Inn Express on Union Street between 3rd and 4th Aves, which is just steps from the subway?

I didn't know there was such a thing outside of the two motels by the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. I would go with the chains like Marriott.