Marriott Courtyard is rolling out new re-designed lobbies to appeal especially to business travelers, and they reached out to me to see if I’d be willing to share it with my readers. The offer? I could give away 2 free nights at any Marriott Courtyard in the Continental U.S., and they’d give me free nights for myself as well.
As regular visitors to View from the Wing know, when I get offers like these my first question is, “Do you mind if I just give away those nights to my readers as well?” And the answer is almost universally yes. I’ll wind up checking out the new lobbies in the normal course of my travels, I don’t need the free nights, I much enjoy giving them away to readers instead.
So that’s the offer — I have 2 sets of 2 free nights at any Marriott Courtyard in the Continental U.S. to give away! (With apologies to my international readers with no plans to visit the United States.)
I’m not a Marriott Rewards elite member, but Marriott more than anything else is known for its consistency. They’re everywhere. Many towns, a Marriott Courtyard or similar is the top option in town which makes it really useful and sometimes you just need a reliable place to sleep near a meeting. It’s great to see them being thoughtful about how to be more than just a room while maintaining a mid-level price point (though indeed, in some cities like New York one could hardly consider the price point mid-level, but then it ought to be compared to most other options!).
Here’s Marriott’s 30 second spot promoting their new lobby:
They’re holding events through December 16 at BWI, Houston Intercontinental, and Phoenix airports to promote the lobbies… couches for relaxation, luggage tags to give away.
They’ve renovated about 500 properties with better lobbies to allow groups to congregate, prepare for meetings, etc. Here’s the list of properties that have the new lobbies They have more stations with powerports, and a touch screen information TV. They’ve adopted a standard Bistro coffee/sandwhich place that’s apparently doing well with double digit percentage gains in sales.
Here’s how to enter to win:
- Leave a comment in this post naming something you especially value in a hotel when on business travel.
- Normally I say “one entry per person” and more than one will disqualify you. This time we’ll try something new. You may enter as many times as you like, however you may not enter twice in a row meaning that you have to have at least one other person comment after you before adding another comment/entry.
- The contest will last until 12pm Eastern on December 12. I will draw two winners who will each receive the two free nights with the help of Random.org. Winners will be put in touch with Marriott’s representative to claim their prize.
All interpretations are mine and final and I have no liability in this, all rules imposed by Marriott and their representatives will apply. I’m passing along an opportunity and making this available to my readers, I’ve not taken any compensation for doing so, let’s all treat this in this spirit with which it’s intended. By entering you indicate your agreement. Thanks!
Any questions, ask away!
Smiling staff personnel.
I’m all about a balcony. Even if it’s a bad view. I can’t be sure why, but I like a good solid balcony. Presuming there aren’t any droppings.
Sufficient room lighting.
Rooms that smell clean
24/7 herbal tea.
A clean room with modern furniture
Bedside reading lamp.
Updated decor in the room
Neon sign outside.
Sleep Number bed
Vending machines on each floor with a good selection of items.
Memory foam bed
Clear uncluttered hallways.
Do not disturb sign that stays on door.
Solid floors
Comfortable lobby chairs.
pillow mints
minty pillows
A wide portico entrance.
After a long day, a comfortable bed.
quick check-in
very friendly staff
Fast check in/check out
How many times can we say “Free wifi”?
A shoeshine machine in the lobby.
Comfy bed, clean room
Complimentary fresh coffee in the lobby from 6:00AM to 9:00PM.
Free donuts
quiet floors
free sodas and or donuts
Knowledgeable staff.
Is there anything useful left to post?
How about a room with a relaxing recliner.
Yes. A needle and thread kit.
Scented soaps
Slippers in a plastic bag.
I do like a clean coffee maker. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve gone in and a bit of mystery dirt/crud/whatever you want to call it, is sitting there! Eeww.
Quality shampoo
Clean room with wifi
Real mugs, and not plastic or foam cups, for in room coffee and tea.
Recliner in the room
Complimentary self-serve coffee-to-go in the morning.
More than one toaster at breakfast
Real Thomas’ English Muffins for the multiple toasters!
Mmmm, Thomas’s….
And while we’re on breakfast, real, freshly made bagels. No more of the frozen kind made weeks earlier!
How about real Philadelphia brand cream cheese for those bagels?
Absolutely! We’ll also need a bagel slicer to cut those bagels evenly.
Free wifi and extra pillows!
Good OJ.