Originally Posted by
peersteve
CY are the way to maintain Marriott loyalty for their endless consistency and professional friendliness...... when I'm going to 4 different cities a week, I want that Marriott quality consistency for quick check-ins, internet & irons that work, someone at the front desk at 5am who knows how to send a fax, etc. If I'm spending fewer than, say, 6 waking hours the extra amentities of a FS are lost on me, as well as the longer walks to parking vs. the CY layout.
I find the Courtyard the least consistent of the Marriott brands - and certainly less consistent than HGI. Some may have the new lobby/Bistro, some not. Some that have the old style configuration may have an evening bar/restaurant (sometimes better than the Bistro), most do not. The room decor may be basic or it may be stylish. You should always check either here or Tripadvisor before booking any CY.
Originally Posted by
travelexpert
Take the CY or HGI signs down, and let ten travel novices test 10 properties. Some old, some new.
HGI will win hands down--even if you exclude free breakfast for upper elites at HGI.
Indeed!
Originally Posted by
SacTownGuy
... I am yet to find a "free" breakfast that I consider nice.
I just spent this week at a HGI. I had my "MyWay" option (HH Gold, here) to get breakfast. Eggs were cooked to order and the rest was a good buffet. This was not the usual Sysco heat-n-eat stuff you get at a Hampton or SpringHill.
One thing I've noticed differently about CYs this year: On four occasions, I have stayed at four different CYs using my clients' corporate rate that now included breakfast. One property noted "we just started this, I'm not sure if we will continue it next year..." Nothing for elites, however, but I think they are starting to see marketing pressure.