It only took Marriott 15 years (!), but SpringHill Suites is now the preferred non-full service brand in my opinion, as Courtyard slips to "oh yeah, we have that brand too" status.

If you have a CY and SHS at the same intersection, and both are updated to the current spec, there is no possible reason to choose the CY over the SHS. At SpringHill you get bigger rooms and free breakfast, and virtually every other comparison point is the same.

SpringHill's breakfast isn't as extensive as a Staybridge Suites and doesn't have any "signature" items like a Holiday Inn Express, but it's quite adequate.