Not All Courtyard by Marriott Hotels are Created Equally

Let’s Talk Courtyards for a moment. The Courtyard by Marriott brand is a property that is roughly the equivalent of a Hilton Garden Inn. This brand belongs to the “upscale/upper midscale” tier of hotels, according to hotel industry experts. While they are not intended to be luxurious, these hotels offer a plush mattress and good night’s sleep for a reasonable price. I live in a lot of Courtyards. In fact, I have stayed in dozens of Courtyard by Marriott hotels in at least five different states. In reality, there are some features that all locations have in common and then there are a few that stand out. I would like to review what you can usually expect to find and then tell you about a handful of Courtyards that are unique and truly stand out.

A Quick Note About Hotel Links

In this article, as with all my others, you will see hotel names listed as clickable links and Marriott ads. When readers click a link or an ad, they are directed to the Marriott reservations page. From there, you can make a reservation at any Marriott in the world (not just the ones that I write about). In the spirit of full disclosure, once you make a reservation through these links and complete your stay, Mrs. HomeFree receives a small commission. It costs you nothing extra.

When To Travel

It is true that nothing is a fixed rule in hotel world. Every community is different and each has its own high season, low season and shoulder season. For the record, when I plan vacations, I often target the shoulder season when possible. This is in between the high and the low season. Travelers can expect to find mid-priced rates for hotels at this time of year. Traveling during whatever the shoulder season is for your preferred destination can save you a few dollars on both airfare and hotels.

Free Parking

As I said, nothing is written in stone, but generally, Courtyard hotels have free parking. I have, on rare occasions, encountered one in the heart of a big city’s downtown and there was a parking fee to accompany that location. However, most of these hotels have free parking onsite. There is one Courtyard in Jupiter, Florida that utilizes a parking garage for guests. However, the garage is free and is located immediately outside the hotel’s front door.

The Bistro

One of the reasons I originally began utilizing the Courtyard brand is The Bistro. Guests can purchase breakfast, dinner or cocktails here for a reasonable price. Most importantly, the food is delicious. In the days before the pandemic, I could get a Bistro Breakfast Sandwich (brioche bun, scrambled eggs, bacon, white cheddar, arugula, green chili mash) with a side of fruit or breakfast potatoes for approximately $10. The pandemic throttled the hotel industry, so there have been cutbacks. Today, I might pay $10.50 for that same sandwich and it often doesn’t come with a side dish anymore. The sandwich is a large portion though, and it is a higher quality than I suspect most travelers would expect.

The challenge with the Bistro menu is that each property is run by a different management company and there doesn’t seem to be consistency. By this I mean, some Courtyards still offer a side dish with that sandwich, and some do not. In the evening, a burger and fries costs $13.00 at some locations and $14.00 at other locations. I have tried several healthy options for breakfast including an egg white English muffin, a quinoa/egg bowl and avocado toast. For dinner, I have tried such items as, the burger, a margherita flatbread, skillet meatballs, and a chicken/bacon quesadilla. Every item is truly delicious.

Once you’ve stayed in as many Courtyards as I have, they all start to look the same. There is a standard appearance and you know what to expect. HOWEVER, I have been lucky enough to find a few properties that are not standard or typical. These Courtyards are particularly worth planning a vacation to. Each is in a great vacation destination anyway, and the special secrets that the hotel hides are the icing on the cake.

The Courtyard by Marriott Ft. Walton Beach/Destin (Florida)

The Courtyard Ft. Walton Beach/Destin. The first thing that jumped out at me when I arrived was the parking. This hotel is situated on concrete stilts with the parking underneath. For those readers who are from Kansas or some other landlocked locale, you should know that this is a flood precaution often found in coastal areas. I guess the thinking is that if the seas rise losing vehicles is preferable to losing lives.

Anyway, when I took the elevator up to the lobby, I was stunned. Most Courtyards have lots of nice seating areas in their lobby and Bistro area. Here, massive plate glass windows greeted me. Lit with the blues and greens of the ocean, the windows beckoned. Funky, mid-century modern furnishings gave the space a distinct personality. Extra wide chaise lounges invited guests to relax and watch a little TV. What’s not to love about a hotel that reminds you at every turn that you’re on vacation?

Obviously, the number one win for this property is its location. There is a boardwalk in the rear of the building that leads guests directly onto the beach. For clarification, that would be the famous white sand panhandle beaches that consistently rate in the top 5 of all Florida beaches. I think you get my point.

The Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood (Alabama)

The Courtyard Birmingham Homewood. Birmingham is a terrific city to explore. There are interesting museums, cultural sites and historic spots too. There are dozens of smaller suburbs surrounding Birmingham in every direction. I’ve stayed in or visited several. Most of them are 15 minutes or less (via car) from the city center where you’ll find the Civil Rights Institute and the art museum.

The bonus secret for this property is that it utilizes an older design that Courtyards no longer adopt. This hotel has an actual courtyard to enjoy. A huge rectangle with a hollow center and a pool in the middle, guests can relax in the heart of the property hidden from the parking lot and traffic noise. This is an important detail that few architects consider anymore.

Birmingham even has mountains and cool weather in the fall and winter. If you stand at one end of the courtyard, you can see the steep hills across the street with their huge hospital complex climbing the elevation. Who wouldn’t want to recline in a soft chair with their feet up, cocktail in hand, by the outdoor fireplace each evening?

The Courtyard by Marriott Augusta (Georgia)

The Courtyard Augusta. This property is nearly identical to the Birmingham location. It lacks only two features. There are no mountains in view and there is no third floor. Though, to be fair, the Birmingham location only has a third floor on ¼ of the rectangle. The Augusta property is highly unusual (in my experience) because it does not have an elevator. My advice is to pack lightly. Presumably, all the ADA-accessible rooms are on the first floor.

That relaxing center courtyard and the delicious Bistro cuisine is still there. If you can’t make it to Birmingham, this location gives a traveler all the relaxing benefits. The Augusta Courtyard on Shades Creek Parkway is just a 10-minute drive from the James Brown Mural, the Woodrow Wilson Boyhood home, and Savannah Rapids Park.

A Final Word

While in most cases, a Courtyard by Marriott hotel room is just a room, the stay is enjoyable. The mattresses and bedding are plush (for this tier) and the food is well above average. You can have an enjoyable stay whether you are traveling for business or for pleasure. The properties that I profiled simply have a little something extra. No one asked me, but I think it is a shame that Courtyards are built as big boxes now. For my money, there is nothing like a Courtyard by Marriott hotel with a quiet, lushly landscaped namesake.