I stayed in a new CY in CA and it was really nice. The rooms were great (we got upgrade to a suite as MR Gold) and the bed was comfortable. The location has a CY and a SHS and we picked the CY based on TA, and we were happy with our choice.

I do wonder about how CY can be competed with other business hotels in the US. Here in Europe there are Marriotts, the Ren and CY and 1 RI. So for budget traveller like us CY is our choice because it provides a good Marriott quality without paying for the FS. In the US there are so many others, and in a way SHS is kind of a direct competitor to CY.

All Valid Points about Courtyard's Decline
 

Courtyard was back in it's day, the preferred hotel for business travelers. Alas, that was then and today, HGI, Aloft's and others are flat whipping most Courtyards. The point about the Bistro vs a full breakfast option is only one (1) valid point that proves the point.

What Marriott needs to do (But won't) is 1) up the ante to stay at Courtyards with a Bonus package, 2) Expand the food at the Bistro, 3) make the business center (which in some no longer really exists) outstanding by putting in the very latest technology (color laser printers, etc) and 4) improve the beds.

Courtyard is simply in most places outclassed by other hotels which have come along with newer ideas and chipped piece by piece the business traveler away. Marriott needs to do something different.

Nail, meet hammer.

For years now, SpringHill Suites has out-Courtyarded Courtyard. The new concept rooms are (of course) larger and more stylish, and breakfast is included in the rate. There's no reason to select Courtyard over SpringHill when both are available - and whaddya know, in many cases the two brands share a parking lot.

I believe Marriott has virtually forgotten its own history with Courtyard.

One question I have is what do you get for breakfast at a bistro if you purchase the 'breakfast included' weekend rate. Since everything is ala carte, what would be included: egg sandwich and beverage? What about the fruit/oatmeal or yogurt that were included in the buffet?

To eat healthy in the new bistro, breakfast would cost over $20, so I am curious about what you would be allowed to order.

I agree that CY has been supplanted by HGI.

Besides the much better room decor and beds in HGIs, the excellent free breakfasts for elites and good menu options for lunch and dinner make HGI a winner.

And CY the (biggest) loser.

Marriott has been opening more new CY than other brands, especially internationally.

I picked the CY because of that SHS was kind of a old one and I think the new SHS are nicer.

it's not "kind of a director competitor" it is a direct competitor however MI has targeted both hotels towards a different customer, they do the same thing with the Renaissance and Marriott brands

Hidden gems: some CY's are outstanding
 

There is indeed a big difference in between different CY's. I don't expect too much of a CY in US.

On the other hand I had only 3 'WOW' experiences in the 10 years or something that I frequent Marriott hotels. (a 'WOW' experience indicating truly exceptional customer service) Out of those 3 experiences 2 of them where CY's and the other was JW Camelback.
The 2 CY's were Berlin City Center & Hong Kong.

I don't want to say the other stays were bad. If that would be true I wouldn't be a Marriott customer anymore. These 3 hotels just went the extra mile.

courtyard is a good place to burn points for me. I would rarely pay for a CY, especially if a HGI is nearby. The lack of a breakfast is a total deal breaker considering the great breakfast options at HGI. I've stayed at discount Ramada inns that have superior bedding.

And as a result, the CY brand is now very inconsistent. Add to this the almost total lack of elite recognition makes for very good reasons to avoid the brand. Some individual CYs may be viable (and even desirable), but they are tainted by the reputation of their unrenovated sister properties dragging down the brand image.

But Hilton Garden Inn got the formula exactly right for a mid-tier brand. Yes, some freshening up of older properties will need to occur due to wear and tear but no radical re-do of the concept will be required.

Exactly.

I view HGI as CY's main competitor. If you want to go intra-brand, then perhaps SHS.

socrates, your comment: "it is a direct competitor however MI has targeted both hotels towards a different customer"

I'd love to know who the CY brand is targeted towards?? Certainly not Marriott elites given minimal elite bennies & I'd question reg biz folk, since other brands & competitors such as HGI offer more usually for the same price point.

I think CY is a brand that started out way back when for the biz traveler & lost its way over the years/let others pass it by.

Cheers.

Hey! They give you a black keycard that says "one look and we know you're elite," don't they? See, they recognize elites! :p

That was 22 years ago. Is it still the same?

Cheers.

Well, that's the thing, isn't it?

I mean, this thread is discussing essentially how Courtyard has 'lost its way', so to speak. In order to understand whether it has, you have to understand what its 'way' was originally.

Whether it still answers the needs of the market it set forth to do way back when - well, that's for us to say, isn't it? ;)

The one thing that is interesting to consider - an enormous amount of time and thought was put into developping the brand. I can't imagine they haven't deployed the same amount of consideration to renewing the brand today.