Things important to me (that may be unimportant to others):

• Previous experience. I'm a former Courtyard GM from way back. I know the company.
• Penetration. You can sneeze anywhere in any major city in the US and increasingly around the world and hit 3 or 4 Marriott branded properties.
• Marriott Rewards. Related to the penetration angle - so many hotels means it's easier to accumulate and focus on this particular hotel elite program.
• Consistency. Marriott has always been somewhat conservative in style; with conservatism comes a certain trust that you always know what you're walking into.
• SpringHill Suites.What Courtyard probably should have been. Newer ones like Las Vegas are a bit trendy, but overall this is a great midpriced brand.

Things unimportant to me (that may be important to others):

• Trendiness. You just don't get the latest hip/cool designer looks at Marriott properties that you might get at a W. Marriott decided long ago that they build hotels, not this season's dress.
• Breakfast. Not included in the rate at Courtyard, nor at full service properties unless you're a Plat. Meh. I'm not a breakfast eater much.
• Concierge lounges. Meh. More opportunities to gorge on food that I don't care much about.
• F&B in general. Let's face it, there hasn't be a successful F&B concept from Marriott since Hot Shoppes. Seriously.
• Courtyard. My alma mater has stumbled badly since I was last involved. New concepts like the reworked lobby (ripoff of Hyatt Place, anyone?) and the LEED-in-a-box designs may help them recover.