SkiAdcock

Hotel website:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...-santa-monica/

Category 8. Located on Colorado Ave. Opening February 2017.

"Our hotel is located downtown for easy access to business, yet only 4 blocks from the beach, shopping & dining; and the Expo line just across from the hotel connects to LA & Hollywood.

In the heart of downtown Santa Monica, the new Courtyard hotel is right where you want to be. This hotel is just 4 blocks from the Santa Monica Beach and Pier and Santa Monica Place Mall and Third Street Promenade is a short 2 block walk; you can catch the Expo train, just across from the hotel

Waterman's Café, our onsite restaurant; 2nd floor pool and deck"

Parking
Valet parking, fee: 42 USD daily
Electric car charging stations : 3 , Complimentary

Property Details
6 floors , 116 rooms , 20 suites

Horace

They tore down a beautiful Spanish Revival commercial building, designed by architect H. Vernon George, and built in 1928. The longtime tenant before the demolition was Midas Muffler.

The rendering of the Courtyard at Marriott.com shows one of those trendy designs of today that will look terribly dated in just 10 years.

Too bad they could not have used the old building (at least its facade) as the ground floor and built hotel room floors that complemented the design. It would have looked better, been more appropriate to Santa Monica, and more likely to stand the test of time.

Okay. I know this is a hotel loyalty program forum, not a historical architecture forum. But I had to get my two cents in.

sdsearch

From the website:
I guess Marriott can't customize the headings, but it's light surface rail, not a subway, which is about a block away from the Courtyard. It's the Expo Line, and that it's western terminus. (It does dive underground near its eastern terminus in downtown L A, but I don't think anyone in L A calls it a subway.)

Regarding:
So a Courtyard with a restaurant rather than a bistro? Still, since it's a Courtyard, we can't earn points (other than on the credit card) for eating there.

SkiAdcock

I think you're right re: the subway/light rail, but if you notice in the OP (which I took from the home page of the property) that mentions the Expo line.

Yeah, it popped in my mind that it wasn't a bistro. The CY where I live has a sports bar in addition to a bistro. Can't earn points from the sports bar, but can sign to room.

Cheers.

sdsearch

Yes, but all that does is consolidate the purchase, right? Both per the terms and per my experience, there seems to be no incidental earning at CY, even if you charge it to your room. (Other than on the credit card, of course.)

Carpboy823

Correct. Room rate only for CY.

SkiAdcock

Yes. As I mentioned in my post, no points earned but can sign to room (which means for those w/ Marriott Visa 5pts/$ because it goes on the Marriott bill).

It's good to have another Marriott option in the area, but Cat 8 is high for a CY.

Cheers.

BLG

Thanks for the heads up. Certainly could be useful if you want/need to be in SM. With a little flexibility I far prefer location of the Marriott in Marina del Rey, also a Cat 8.

MilesTalk

Surprised to see so little discussion of this property,

Any recent stays? Nice pool?

How is their treatment of Platinum Premiers?

Also - advice on the best nearby parking lot?

hindolio

Recent one night stay on points a couple weeks ago as a Gold and no upgrade received. The hotel as well as the standard room was bigger than I expected, simple and very clean. Although I did not use the pool, it seemed nice on the 2nd floor if a little small. My guess is this hotel is one of the nicest Courtyard Hotels in Southern California.

Arguably one of the biggest selling points is the location. The beach, pier, Santa Monica Place shopping mall, Third Street Promenade and dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes are within walking distance. The metro station is next to it as well. Due to security reasons, during the evenings you need a hotel card key to access the hotel from the street. You even need a key to access the lobby restroom.

In regards to parking, I have no useful info. I do not know if there is any overnight parking available. If a parking garage in Santa Monica allowed overnight parking, I would guess it would charge for 2 days at maximum rates, making it the same if not more expensive than the $42 valet only parking at the hotel. If you really wanted to be creative, I suppose one would be able to park somewhere and take the metro to the hotel?

SkiAdcock

Thanks for the trip report. Much appreciated.

Cheers.

MilesTalk

Kalboz

Nearby parking garage - $23/day credit cards accepted
4 minutes walk from the Courtyard

ABM Parking Services, Inc.
520 Broadway Garage,
1522 6th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

kgkg

Is the hotel's surrounding area safe and enjoyable for kids? I plan to take my kids there for a few days? Thanks!

hindolio

I guess it would depend on your idea of "safe" and how old your kids are, but I think so. It is a few minutes walk to the Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica Place Mall is about 1 block in that direction, too. Next to the mall is the Third Street Promenade with movie theaters, restaurants, more shopping, and daily street performances.

There are homeless throughout Santa Monica and there are always weird people loitering, but I don't think that has anything to do with the hotel or location.