The last two properties I stayed in had a Courtyard w/in a stones throw of the Residence Inn. Last week, I stayed in Salinas, RI, and you literally shared the driveway with the Courtyard. Once you drive into the driveway, you make a right to go to RI and a left to go to the Courtyard. Week before last, we stayed at the Residence Inn in Stockon. Same thing...there was a Courtyard literally positioned in front of the RI.

Both of these stays were on business, but even then, I'll take an "mini apartment" any day of the week over a Courtyard.

In my limited knowledge, Courtyards don't provide squat to anyone. I just recently made Platinum (giving up Diamond this year w/Hilton), and if I remember correctly, Plats don't even get breakfast in Courtyard. But I know they are just basic rooms.

What am I missing about Courtyards? What is the draw? I've read posts from MR folks that said, hands down, they would chose a Courtyard over a RI. Is it because RI only gives you 50% points?

Just curious....because I can't figure it out. I thought the Courtyard was the lower end of the MR chain, but I'm beginning to think that the TownPlace Suites may be...their towels simply hurt your skin!

Dawn

The 50% point redemption is a tie-breaker for me, but do agree with you that I am having a harder time to choose Courtyards. I find myself favoring Fairfield Inns over Courtyards; FIs have come a long way in closing the gap with CYs and short of a closet, there are many FIs I've been too that seemed identical (or even superior) to CYs. The free breakfasts that FIs offer is also a plus.

The breakfast really gets wasted on me, basically anywhere. I really like it when they have FRESH fruit and yogurt where I can take it to go.

But more importantly, for me, I want to have a microwave/refrigerator because as much as I'm on the road, I simply have to have more control of what I'm putting into my mouth. I can't eat on the road daily and maintain my weight/health. Even as much as I exercise (probably my highest priority in the hotel properties is what is they exercise room like), I still have to eat healthy while I'm on the road and by having a mini-kitchen, well, it is just that much easier.

The breakfast at the RI in Salinas last week was probably the worst. The fruit was actually rancid....I thought it was because I didn't wash my tupperware properly from the night before (italian dressing) and I mentioned to my coworkers during the morning (while at work in the county), "this tastes awful...I need to wash out my bowls better..." I was informed shortly thereafter that it was NOT my bowl...it was the fruit. Argh....that is a first for a RI for me. Never had rancid fruit before...almost acidity. Shutter to even think about it now.

Dawn

My thoughts 110%. As I've written before, I think the "for business travelers - designed by business travelers" is possibly the most effective marketing disinformation campaign ever invented. I've stayed in 15 different CY's before swearing off them forever. Smoke, noise, bed bugs, disinterested Management, pedestrian rooms, high rates, no PLT benefits, tiny TVs, etc, I've experienced it all. Just tired and old, at least the one's I've sworn off.

I speculate that the fact that there are tons of them, in just about every mid size town next to an office park and they carry the Marriott name which gives them much more credibility than they deserve. Give me a RI anytime, half points who cares...

Marriott is going to have to do something more with the brand. Re-designed Courtyards are now showing up to compete with HGI's.

But as you know Dawn, the HGI's have mini-fridges and microwaves in their rooms and the new CY's do not. Moreover, free breakfast for Gold and above in HGI's and point earning on all charges to the room (only room rate at CY, and RI) trumps Marriott's attempts to instill freshness into the brand.

I expect them to permit 10 points to the $ on all charges at some point in the future.

If not, then they are not in the least competitive to RIs, as others note above.

There really is not much of a difference between earning 5 points to the $ and 10 points to the $ on a less than $200 night rate to pick the CY over the RI.

I definitely don't stay at CYs as much as I used to. With that said, I have had very good luck asking for and getting suite room upgrades at CYs. They don't do it automatically, but as a Plat, if you ask about a suite room upgrade during check-in, if they have one available, you should have a good chance of getting it. The suite rooms at CYs generally have a small refigerator and a microwave as well.

But I do agree that today, CYs seem to be the evil step-child of Marriott's hotel chains. Throughout the 90's, I tended to stay at CYs quite a bit. They used to have the CY Club program which gave free breakfast coupons, suite upgrades and free nights. But when Marriott consolidated their Rewards program across all their chains, I stopped staying at CYs as there really wasn't much of a reason any longer.

I just left the CY Inner Harbor in Baltimore yesterday. Was originally staying 3 nights...............but the place isn't very nice, we had a connecting room.....the rooms are small and ugly, the place is noisy and they do nothing for Plats.

Came to the Ren.....using a BOGO.....have a nice view, decent room. Booked a TFB-buffet was bad..............(a close to 300 buck a night hotel should NOT serve thawed out sara lee danish for a buffet that would normally cost 18 bucks plus tax and tip!)

I should get a 20 buck F&B credit tomorrow..................although i got conflicting info. The guy that is supposed to be the concierge is clueless.......

At least i can use my BOGO and gift cert and whatever else they will take....(bonus bucks??)

Courtyards really stink. there is no reason to stay there.

Some CYs are actually fairly nice (with refrigerators and occasionally microwaves). The CY Dulles Town Center has 37" HDTVs in the rooms along with a refrigerator. I think that property has a microwave in the lobby that guests can use for their own food.

HGI still has the edge over CY since the HGI properties have a small business center with a copier and fax machine (complimentary use). I stay at a few CYs that give free breakfast to platinum members and/or free gym passes. A few CYs have a lower end version of an evening reception on weeknights.

No CY breakfast will equal a breakfast at a FS Marriott, but a few places are fairly decent (4 different kinds of fruit, in addition to portable fruit like apples, bananas and oranges; different types of yogurts and multiple types of pastry and the thick steel cut oatmeal that Quaker Oats markets to hotels and other institutional customers)

Nowadays, I rarely stay at CYs. Only if it is in a great location, like Jax Beach.
It is frustrating to pay $14 for a mediocre breakfast.
On the other hand, it does mean that I have been staying at full service Marriotts when the price isn't outrageous.
Rarely stay at RI unless it is on points, because of the 50% reduction.

OK -- I am lost. What is this 50% reduction on points you guys are talking about at RIs?

For the RI you only get 5 points for each dollar spent on the room rate. At the other properties you get 10 points -- thus the 50%

So if a room at RI goes for $100 you get 500 points vs. 1000 points at the other properties. ALSO at the FS and REN you get points for the total amount spent (less taxes) vs. just the room rate at all other properties.

I sometimes actually like the CY. If I get their suite, it is very nice - a seperate living room and it is quit hugh.

I do agree that their breakfast needs to be beefed up some. It isn't even worth it if in fact it is free for Plats. I actually have received free breakfast there before and turning it down.

Who came up with "the hotel business travelers developed". I would not develope this!!
Pluses is free internet, free parking (in most locations) and free coffee 24 hrs.

Aside from the fact that most of them do next to nothing (or absolutely nothing) for plats, I still like Courtyards. At least I like the concept....which I understand to be essentially a Marriott-quality room without the facilities....and hence theoretically without the price...of a FS property.

Problem is, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to justify choosing this brand. Generally, they're priced within a relatively few dollars of FS locations. So, if that's the case, why not spend an extra couple of bucks and get the CL lounge, the 500 bonus points, and the availability of day/night food and beverage service?

Conversely, if an FS property is not nearby or is otherwise not an option, why not opt for an FI? For the same price or less, I get a comparable room and a free breakfast. Same goes for SHS, and to a lesser extent (because of points) for RI and TPS.

The other problem with CY....as has been previously pointed out here....is that quite a few properties are in serious need of a re-do. Or at least a really good deep cleaning. (And lose those blurry 19-inch vintage TVs while you're at it.) The new-style CY offer some measure of improvement....but I don't think the original concept or design is what needs fixing.

Unfortunately, its gotten to the point that if I'm contemplating booking an unfamiliar CY, I generally check Trip Advisor first. I normally don't feel the need to do that with the other Marriott brands.

I spent two nights in a CY in California (Walnut creek area) and left after the breakfast attendant, angling for a tip, ran over and lifted my waffle onto a plate.......with her bare hand. Then I moved to the HIX down the road and realized that I should have stayed there all along. Free breakfast, BBQ dinner on the first night, and no health code violations that I could witness. Ples, two nights there got me a free night that I used to make a reservation at the IC in Austin, a 40K point value. Not bad.

randidliyo

Holiday Inn Express? While the 50% reduction in points is not a deal breaker for me (to stay @ a RI), I would stay in the worst Courtyard if that was all that was there. It "hurts" if I have to stay in a non MR or Hilton property...I don't mind forfeiting a few points here or there, but I'm not forfeiting stays/nights toward obtaining/maintaining my status--unless I absolutely have to (like when I'm in Bishop or Calaveras County!).

Dawn