Courtyards: Are they worth it?
Jun 10, 2018, 11:39 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
I book CYs when it is the least expensive option for a 1-night airport stay or for 1-night stays when I do my annual drive to/from my second home as I often have a choice of FFI and CY and am usually on the road before the FFI is serving breakfast. Also, CY usually has better beds and larger rooms than FFI.
Jun 10, 2018, 12:30 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I was chatting with someone recently who told me their corporate travel policy requires staying at CY's. I often find CY's are actually more expensive than a FS property and considering the lounge benefits, a CY would be significantly more. But they do strike me as the most nickel/dime brand of Marriott and not as nice as either HGI or Hyatt Place. But for their relationship with Marriott loyalists, the brand would tank.
Last edited by C17PSGR; Jun 10, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Jun 10, 2018, 1:19 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Most of my Courtyard stays have been weekend stays at $39-$49 (plus the high tax/fees) Priceline bids. I find them to be an acceptable value. Bedding is typically comfortable, every one I've been to has a refrigerator (not sure on microwave), and room sizes are reasonable if not slightly generous. The older properties feel a bit dark and dated but not horrible. At rack rates closer to $100, probably not so great... I notice pretty low occupancy in a lot of the Courtyards I visit with those low rates. Hilton Garden Inns seem to be a lot busier on weekends.
Jun 11, 2018, 7:19 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS after 40+ SFO/OAK
Programs: UA MM (recovering former 1K), Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 550
Most of my Courtyard stays have been weekend stays at $39-$49 (plus the high tax/fees) Priceline bids. I find them to be an acceptable value. Bedding is typically comfortable, every one I've been to has a refrigerator (not sure on microwave), and room sizes are reasonable if not slightly generous. The older properties feel a bit dark and dated but not horrible. At rack rates closer to $100, probably not so great... I notice pretty low occupancy in a lot of the Courtyards I visit with those low rates. Hilton Garden Inns seem to be a lot busier on weekends.
I have routinely seen Residence Inns with better rates than neighboring Courtyards. YMMV.
To OP, my response in the US is "NO".
Jun 12, 2018, 12:24 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
No offense, but I don't consider room sizes < 300 sq. ft. to be "slightly generous". And, the towels suck (although to be fair, it has been so long since I stayed in one that maybe they figured out that half a towel isn't that much better than none).
I have routinely seen Residence Inns with better rates than neighboring Courtyards. YMMV.
To OP, my response in the US is "NO".
I have routinely seen Residence Inns with better rates than neighboring Courtyards. YMMV.
To OP, my response in the US is "NO".
Sep 2, 2018, 12:12 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 74
We recently stayed in the new Courtyard Wolfsburg Germany. It was absolutely the best Courtyard we`ve stayed up to now.
Modern style, awesome breakfast buffet, nice sun terrace - much better then many SPG Hotels I`ve stayed in this year.
Only disadvantage is that you have no Lounge.
Modern style, awesome breakfast buffet, nice sun terrace - much better then many SPG Hotels I`ve stayed in this year.
Only disadvantage is that you have no Lounge.
Sep 2, 2018, 3:35 pm
#53
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
I'll start by saying my # 1 priority is to be close to where I need to be in the morning - I'll stay with any of the major brands (or even local boutique hotels).
That said, if there's a good Courtyard near where I am going, I'm fine with that. In the morning, I like a good Americano and, while it's not my favorite, I know I can go downstairs to a CY and get an Americano without having to go hunt.
Moreover, I rarely eat at hotels. I'd much rather a good local restaurant.
That said, if there's a good Courtyard near where I am going, I'm fine with that. In the morning, I like a good Americano and, while it's not my favorite, I know I can go downstairs to a CY and get an Americano without having to go hunt.
Moreover, I rarely eat at hotels. I'd much rather a good local restaurant.
Sep 2, 2018, 3:49 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond; Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 26
Courtyards often have balconies or patios with sliding glass doors overlooking the pool area (and/or the "Courtyard" with the obligatory fire pit). This is a MAJOR incentive to choose such a property when I can find it.
Last edited by The Tradition; Sep 4, 2018 at 1:23 pm
Sep 2, 2018, 11:39 pm
#56
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Hotel Guru
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold
Posts: 1,455
I had a few Courtyard stays this August as I was touring the American West and Courtyards are generally the best hotel you will find in some of these towns (Page, AZ, Flagstaff, AZ, ...)
Curiously the only hotel where I had to fight for my breakfast benefit was the last hotel of my trip, the Courtyard Los Angeles Torrance South Bay (I still had my rental car and wasn‘t going to pay 40$ a night for parking at either of the LAX properties). It‘s been a few years since I last had breakfast at an American Courtyard but I wasn‘t disappointed. The Lemon Ricotta pancakes were absolutely awesome. The balanced breakfast sandwich were ok and I believe they must have a cook now since they also are able to make two eggs any style.
Curiously the only hotel where I had to fight for my breakfast benefit was the last hotel of my trip, the Courtyard Los Angeles Torrance South Bay (I still had my rental car and wasn‘t going to pay 40$ a night for parking at either of the LAX properties). It‘s been a few years since I last had breakfast at an American Courtyard but I wasn‘t disappointed. The Lemon Ricotta pancakes were absolutely awesome. The balanced breakfast sandwich were ok and I believe they must have a cook now since they also are able to make two eggs any style.
Sep 2, 2018, 11:57 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Milano (Italy)
Programs: Marriott TITANIUM, BWR Dia, IHG, Millemiglia Alitalia
Posts: 486
We recently stayed in the new Courtyard Wolfsburg Germany. It was absolutely the best Courtyard we`ve stayed up to now.
Modern style, awesome breakfast buffet, nice sun terrace - much better then many SPG Hotels I`ve stayed in this year.
Only disadvantage is that you have no Lounge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWKl7sIGIAI
Modern style, awesome breakfast buffet, nice sun terrace - much better then many SPG Hotels I`ve stayed in this year.
Only disadvantage is that you have no Lounge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWKl7sIGIAI
Sep 3, 2018, 9:28 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 1,786
Seems like most Courtyard outside of the US offer breakfast or have Executive Lounge. I have a couple of stays coming up in Asia and the hotels all look quite nice. You might even mistaken the lobby for a FS Marriott.
The newly built or refurb Courtyards in the US are nice, but I usually avoid because breakfast was not included.
The newly built or refurb Courtyards in the US are nice, but I usually avoid because breakfast was not included.
Sep 3, 2018, 12:16 pm
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Seems like most Courtyard outside of the US offer breakfast or have Executive Lounge. I have a couple of stays coming up in Asia and the hotels all look quite nice. You might even mistaken the lobby for a FS Marriott.
The newly built or refurb Courtyards in the US are nice, but I usually avoid because breakfast was not included.
The newly built or refurb Courtyards in the US are nice, but I usually avoid because breakfast was not included.
Cheers.
Sep 4, 2018, 1:30 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond; Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 26
I like the Bistro breakfast sandwich. It's much better than a fast food breakfast sandwich. Nice bun, fresh eggs, cheese, applewood smoked bacon, arugula, and avocado. Served with a mixed fruit bowl. What's crappy about that?