Originally Posted by
floyddl
I have stayed at both in the past month.
I think your sample size is too small.
Originally Posted by
floyddl
I found the Courtyard had better amenities. Courtyard had restaurant (though not free) with prepared food, FF had a (free) continental breakfast with microwavable frozen biscuits. Courtyard had fitness room and FF had none. Courtyard offered complimentary newspapers on the weekend, FF had none. Courtyard had flat screen HD TV, FF had tube TV that wasn't HD. As with any brand the category pretty much dictates the difference. I have stayed at a FF on the beach that was cat 5 that had a fitness center and a breakfast buffet but the one I described above is a cat 3 and the courtyard was a cat 4. All brands are not created equal.
I have stayed at many Courtyards and Fairfields where the opposite was true for every item you mentioned, except for the breakfast policy. Marriott has gotten so chintzy with newspapers in the last couple of years that even some full-service properties are not delivering them
. Your Courtyard experience with newspapers on the weekend was exceptional and not representative of the brand.
Given the amenities offered to elite MR guests, Courtyards are my least favorite Marriott brand and I actively avoid them. The Priceline crowd will find them just fine.