I've had some disturbing problems with business computer usage at a couple of Courtyards.

In the last two weeks, I've stayed at the Courtyards at Dunn Loring (Tyson's Corner), Virginia and Potomac Mills (Woddbridge), VA. My usual business MO involves working on documents on my laptop for the next morning presentation, then copying them to a USB flash drive and using the hotel lobby/business center computers to print the documents. I can then get them copied.

At Potomac Mills CY, the lobby computer is locked down pretty tight - so tight that Microsoft Word cannot access files on the Flash Drive. I found a work-around, but the computer will not allow the flash drive to be "stopped" resulting in an error message on removal. I'm not real worried about the flash drive, but it did leave the computer in an undetermined state. THe hotel outsources the computer service, and the desk folks know nothing. THe computer service has no consumer feedback or access.

At Dunn Loring, the situation is even worse. The lobby computers can ONLY access the internet... business programs such as Word, Excel, etc are not even installed. And the USB flash drive cannot even be recognized. The folks at the front desk are clueless (though one offered to print a document if I emailed it to her personal account). And the service is outsourced. Manager apologetic, but can't do much.

This is a MAJOR problem for the business traveler. It is a basic service that should be part of the "built for the business traveler" concept. I can get it at competing hotels.

Despite the fact that I really like the CY Dunn Loring, they will not likely get my future business solely because of this.

Travelers, beware.