Just thought i'd mention that I recently flew in and out of Newark (yes, during all the news frenzy) and found it be a pleasant, updated airport.
Note that after you land and get your luggage, you don't go outside to the curb to catch your hotel shuttle. Instead you take the airtrain which connects all the terminals to a special stop where all the busses come and go. Just follow all the overhead signage in the airport for hotel shuttle and then don't be surprised to get on the train. Make sure you know the exact name of your hotel - the airport Hilton is not the same as Hilton Garden Inn, for example. Hotels now have 15 or 20 sub-brands and each bus generally only serves one hotel. They come and go quite frequently.
You can also take that airtrain to the real train, which will run you into Newark and NYC where it stops at Penn Station. Beware that there are TWO Penn Stations, one in Newark and one in NYC. Again, just pay attention. When reversing and catching the train in NYC Penn, on the schedule boards they don't bother to put NEWARK AIRPORT as one of the train stops they use a little airplane icon. This made me nervous because there are many airports in the NYC/NJ area but when you finally get to the train platform there should be a display with all the train stops. They should also make an announcement as the train is departing.
If you use the United club remember that Newark is their big hub in the East and the club, although a good size, will often fill up. Grab a seat and don't let go.