You can hit or miss with both brands, mostly with the older properties. The newer properties are uniformly nicer. In some cases, such as Fairfield Inn & Suites, the rooms are very comparable to many (some would say most) Courtyards. In some locations though, Courtyards are TRULY nice, and close to the quality of the full service brands as far as the facilities go, but not as nice for the service level, because after all, CY is a "select service" (meaning limited service) lodging brand. If all you are looking for is a clean, quiet room, generally either FI or CY or SH will do the trick, and then it is just a matter of location and price.


As a guideline, this chart might help you:

Full Service Lodging (all 10 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per night stayed)

Marriott Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Renaissance Hotels
Ritz-Carlton
Autograph Collection Hotels & Resorts
Edition Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Conference Centers

Select Service Lodging (all 10 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per night stayed)

Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
SpringHill Suites by Marriott

Extended Stay Lodging (see below for points per dollar spent)

Marriott ExecuStay (2.5 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per 3 nights stayed)
Residence Inn by Marriott (5 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per night stayed)
TownePlace Suites by Marriott (5 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per night stayed)
Marriott Executive Apartments (2.5 points per dollar spent, 1 room night credit per 3 nights stayed)