Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Courtyard Junkie Seeking Aternatives

Hi,
My new job has me on the road a lot (got my Platinum a few months ago). My stays tend to be long (2-4 weeks) and, occasionally, are in smaller towns. I've focused on Courtyards for a variety of reasons, and have been generally happy with them. I'm thinking about experimenting a bit. In June I stayed one night in the University Lake Springhill Suites in Anchorage and the room was amazing. The rest of the hote was great too: they had a huge firepit on the patio. Not sure if the room was standard, hard to believe it was.

I avoid Residence Inns and Townplace Suites because of the reduced points. Other than that, I am open to suggestions. I definitely need a comfortable bed, and a refrigerator. A microwave is always nice, but not neccesary. I don't care about free food. Any ideas?
Thanks.

I now stay at Springhill Suites as my first choice for business travel. Oddly, the ceiling fan in an item that I really like. I prefer that for air circulation over setting the room AC on high for the night.

It also has wired internet in most locations, so I don't need to put up with saturated WiFi that we get in many hotels.

All the rooms are the same - no suites or upgrades.

If I can get a great price I would rather stay at Renaissance, but SHS is usually a better value.

Well, the best alternative to a Courtyard is the Hilton Garden Inn. :p (Hey, you asked!).

The best Marriott alternative would probably be the SpringHill Suites, but I have found the quality of the SHS properties to vary widely of those I've stayed. Of course, if you could get a deal at a full service Marriott or Renaissance, that would be your best bet.

Are you staying in the same location every week? If so you could probably check the Tripadvisor reviews for starters and even sniff around the area yourself.

Well, the best alternative to a Courtyard is the Hilton Garden Inn. :p (Hey, you asked!).

For the time being i want to do my best to maximize my Marriott points. However, I've been in places where the only Marriott property was sub-par (e.g. Goshen, IN), and came close to switching to a Hilton. I was working on my Elite, though, so I toughed it out. Then my co-worker told me about the Platinum Challenge, could have bypassed the whole ordeal if I'd known about it in February.

The best Marriott alternative would probably be the SpringHill Suites, but I have found the quality of the SHS properties to vary widely of those I've stayed. Wondered about that, but of course that's true of Courtyard's too. Recently spent a month in NW Atlanta, which is full of Courtyards. The first one I stayed in (Courtyard Marietta on Delk) was a dud. Finally got fed up and moved over to the Cumberland Center, into an upgrade to a top floor corner room. That was a nice Courtyard, although it didn't actually have a courtyard...

Of course, if you could get a deal at a full service Marriott or Renaissance, that would be your best bet.

Do full service Marriotts provide a fridge? Stayed in one in Mobile for a few weeks in April, the room was nice, but not spectacular. They gave me a fridge on request.

Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?

Are you staying in the same location every week? If so you could probably check the Tripadvisor reviews for starters and even sniff around the area yourself.

I always browse Tripadvisor before deciding on a property. Great resource.

For the time being i want to do my best to maximize my Marriott points. However, I've been in places where the only Marriott property was sub-par (e.g. Goshen, IN), and came close to switching to a Hilton. I was working on my Elite, though, so I toughed it out. Then my co-worker told me about the Platinum Challenge, could have bypassed the whole ordeal if I'd known about it in February.

Yes, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...:p
Wondered about that, but of course that's true of Courtyard's too. Recently spent a month in NW Atlanta, which is full of Courtyards. The first one I stayed in (Courtyard Marietta on Delk) was a dud. Finally got fed up and moved over to the Cumberland Center, into an upgrade to a top floor corner room. That was a nice Courtyard, although it didn't actually have a courtyard...


Do full service Marriotts provide a fridge? Stayed in one in Mobile for a few weeks in April, the room was nice, but not spectacular. They gave me a fridge on request.

Although Marriott is fairly good on consistency, as you have already found, there are variances. The majority of FS and Ren's do not have frig's - you have to ask for them. I don't like to do that as there is now one more thing to trip over...generally there are no good places to put them.
Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?

You will get a dozen different answers on this - depends on the city the FT'er, whether they have a long term relationship with the property, etc. My answer would be no - being limited to one FS sized room (generally not super sized) for 2 weeks would be annoying to me. If you are moving from city to city, the SHS probably is your best bet, as you have ruled out Res Inn.
I always browse Tripadvisor before deciding on a property. Great resource.
Yes, it can be, and you will recognize some of the same folks there as here. However, you also get a lot of people who do not travel very often - so they think a hotel providing a hair dryer is the epitome of elegance. Or they just got fired and are now leaving a scathing "guest" indictment of the place. Always best to throw out the best and the worst review - and then take the average from there.

If you do really like SHS, calling the hotel or closely looking at pictures on the web should tell you whether it is the newer model, so to speak. (I thought we had started a list of the newer ones awhile back, if I can find the thread I will post it. My search skills are abysmal....) Also, the occassional reduction in points won't matter in the overal scheme of life - so you may want to try the occassional ResInn, particularly if you go to colder climes in the winter - some of them have fireplaces. ( Although heresy to some, I give up those points pretty fast in the winter in Chicago - a glass of wine by the fire is worth those lost points to me... )

Why don't you try the Hilton Garden Inn? They are often newer and more upscale than CY. Plus, once you get Hilton Gold, you get free hot breakfast w/ made-to-order omelets.

Why don't you try the Hilton Garden Inn? They are often newer and more upscale than CY. Plus, once you get Hilton Gold, you get free hot breakfast w/ made-to-order omelets.Probably because the OP doesn't care about free food (taken from the first post.) And personally, if you take away the free breakfast, I actually prefer a CY over a HGI.

Note that as a Gold/Plat, I've had very good luck in getting suite upgrades at CYs over the years. And I like the CY suites (two separate rooms, refrig, microwave, 2 TVs, living area, etc.)

Note that as a Gold/Plat, I've had very good luck in getting suite upgrades at CYs over the years. And I like the CY suites (two separate rooms, refrig, microwave, 2 TVs, living area, etc.)

I'm in one now, and have been for 3 weeks. Something nice about 2 rooms for long term stay (Eden Prarie, suburb of Minneaplolis).

I am really digging the Spring Hill Suites over the Courtyards.

The most common reason cited is the lack of breakfast for elites at CYs, but for me the room layout and fridge/microwave at SHS just beats the CY hands down.

I can't tell you how many CYs I have been at where the desk is set up directly in front of the AC/heat unit. Talk about a crappy arrangement ....getting blasted by hot or cold air while trying to get work done.

I have also noticed that the SHS tend to have consistent gym setup. CYs are a crapshoot with regard to working out.

I cannot think of a reason to stay at a CY if there is a SHS anywhere close by....

For the time being i want to do my best to maximize my Marriott points. However, I've been in places where the only Marriott property was sub-par (e.g. Goshen, IN), and came close to switching to a Hilton. I was working on my Elite, though, so I toughed it out. Then my co-worker told me about the Platinum Challenge, could have bypassed the whole ordeal if I'd known about it in February.

Wondered about that, but of course that's true of Courtyard's too. Recently spent a month in NW Atlanta, which is full of Courtyards. The first one I stayed in (Courtyard Marietta on Delk) was a dud. Finally got fed up and moved over to the Cumberland Center, into an upgrade to a top floor corner room. That was a nice Courtyard, although it didn't actually have a courtyard...



Do full service Marriotts provide a fridge? Stayed in one in Mobile for a few weeks in April, the room was nice, but not spectacular. They gave me a fridge on request.

Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?



I always browse Tripadvisor before deciding on a property. Great resource.

add the fridge to your reservation preferences at marriott.com. i have received one without asking about 90% of the time, and one if i requested it just about the other 10% of the time

Given a choice I generally pick SHS over CY. They are often located in the same neighborhood and priced about the same, but the SHS offers better value with its larger room and included breakfast. The mini-suite layout helps me maintain sanity on longer stays by providing separate areas for working, watching TV or reading (on the sofa), and sleeping.

Given a choice I generally pick SHS over CY. They are often located in the same neighborhood and priced about the same, but the SHS offers better value with its larger room and included breakfast. The mini-suite layout helps me maintain sanity on longer stays by providing separate areas for working, watching TV or reading (on the sofa), and sleeping.

Agree.

Cheers.

I think the answer is covered from a Marriott perspective and I agree: SHS tends to be a consistent product because it's a newer brand and seems to fill a niche of having full points earning plus more space for a long-term stay.

When you're forced into another brand, I'd echo the HGI recommendation and add Homewood Suites. HHonors doesn't have the points penalty for Homewood like Marriott does for RI - it's normal earnings there. Like RI, Homewood has the full kitchen, full-sized fridge, etc.

I'd also throw Hyatt Place and Element (Starwood) into the mix, although there are fewer of those around the country. Those are more akin to SHS - minifridge, studio layout, etc.

All is not lost if you have to do another brand: this board has all of the best links to the appropriate credit cards, status challenges, promotions, etc.

Is it common to stay at hotels like Renaissance and Marriott's for long term trips?


If you can get work to pay for 2 weeks at a Renaissance, I say take it and leave Courtyard behind.

I've started to move away from Courtyard lately into full Marriotts and Renaissance. When neither of those are available, I go for a Residence because I like having a kitchen.

One Courtyard I do make an effort to stay at when in the area is the Courtyard in Elmherst Ill northwest of Chicago. The hotel itself isn't super special, but the staff makes up for it easily and they've done lots of "the little things" for me to earn my loyal repeat business.

I'll be at the Renaissance Greenway Plaza Houston all next week. It's my 3rd time at the hotel but the first time as a Platinum, so I'm rather interested to see what I get.

I'll be at the Renaissance Greenway Plaza Houston all next week. It's my 3rd time at the hotel but the first time as a Platinum, so I'm rather interested to see what I get.

At this moment I'm also booked at this particular hotel for an entire week later this year. Be sure to check back how their Platinum treatment is. If they don't treat you well I might as well shift my business to another full service property in the area. Since you've been there before: Do you know if they have in-room safes at this hotel? It kind of beats me why so many Houston area Marriotts have no safes. It is not understandable given that many travellers nowadays have laptops, iPads... which do not even fit inside their safety deposit boxes at the front desk.

So far, I notice no difference other than the lounge and the offer of points at check in. Only first night there so far. My room is actually slightly smaller than last time, but it is a very nice room. I will take come pictures later if you'd like.

....In June I stayed one night in the University Lake Springhill Suites in Anchorage and the room was amazing. The rest of the hote was great too: they had a huge firepit on the patio. Not sure if the room was standard, hard to believe it was.... That's a cool hotel. Stayed there a few years ago and still remember it. Gonna build a firepit like the one they had at my own place....

Given a choice I generally pick SHS over CY. They are often located in the same neighborhood and priced about the same, but the SHS offers better value with its larger room and included breakfast. The mini-suite layout helps me maintain sanity on longer stays by providing separate areas for working, watching TV or reading (on the sofa), and sleeping.

Another agreement. In my experience, the SHSs have provided more comfort overall. We travel across the Southern US by car frequently, and if I've time to pre-plan, I'll always opt for a newer SHS or a new (or substantially updated) La Quinta. I don't eat a big breakfast, and usually can find enough on the 'free" offerings to satisfy me, but the breakfast is not a major factor in my choice.