Courtyard Mariott - YUCK!

[gravymom]

Just got back from our trip and what a nightmare!! We arrrived at the DD Courtyard late Sunday night only to be put in a room that was scary at best. It was a ground floor room with a sliding glass door that opened onto a beautiful highway traffic view. My two older kids (4 and 2) could unlock the door and open it at will. There was no tub (just a roll in shower), the carpet was dirty, the room stank. I knew the instant I saw the room I had made a big mistake not staying on property! We immediatly notified the manager that the room was unacceptable and headed over to the Contemporary. We paid through the nose for it but at least we felt safe. I could have never gotten any sleep know anyone could have gotten in the room throught the sliding glass door. Guess the saying is true - you get what you pay for.

Lesson learned.

 

[eeyore0062]

Gravymom, why didn't you just ask to be moved? They would have moved you...no problem!

We were there a month ago, and found them to be extremely accomodating, the rooms clean..sparkling, if fact... and the management team was absolutely wonderful... and YES, we were staying there on the $20 per night discount... so nothing you experienced had anything whatsoever to do with the fact that you may have been staying with a discount.

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your stay, but I am sure had you given them a chance, they would have more have made up for your inconvenience.

 

[gravymom]

When we checked in, we were told by the front desk person that this was the only room they had. After we saw the room, I got on the phone and asked for the manager. The person answering the phone did not want to let me speak to the manager, for whatever reason. After finally getting to speak to him, he met us at the room and said he could show us another room. I told him what we had been told at checkin (ie - this was the ONLY room available). He said that was not true and was not sure why we were told that. He showed us another room (just as bad as the first except with a view of the pool - kids could still open sliding glass door, carpet dirty, smelled funny and no tub). So, this room was not going to work. He said that they had other rooms that were smoking. That dog didn't hunt either. Maybe I expect too much, but I was not about to let my 10-month-old down to crawl on the carpets I saw in the two rooms. The manager was nice but the front desk help was useless. Got to the Contemporary and it was like being on a different planet. Everyone was nice, room clean and we felt safe. Nuff said.

 

[Debbie]

Have to agree with eeyore. The management was so friendly and accommodating when we were there in August, that I'm certain that they would have moved you the next day. And, yep, we paid $20 a night for our room, too, so it had nothing to do with what you paid. Perhaps only the handicapped rooms were available at the time that you arrived. For us, The Courtyard was wonderful, and I have recommended it to others. It is not a deluxe hotel, though, and I am glad that you enjoyed your stay at the Contempory.

 

[bobcat]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. We stayed here also on the $20/night deal and were very impressed with the hotel. Our service couldn't have been better and our room was spotless.

 

[Kitster]

We just returned from the Marriott also.......paid $25 per night for 3 of the 5 nights. This was our second stay at the hotel and the staff is wonderful !!! In fact we made reservations for our next trip in November.

Gravymom, I have to assume that you were not staying in the tower, since you mentioned a 1st floor room. I can't vouch for the rooms in the wings, but the tower rooms are always immaculate. The rugs are worn, but our rooms were always kept clean and neat. It's a shame the rooms weren't to your liking

The hotel is also in the middle of some renovations to the glass roof, which is why the manager's reception has been temporarily cancelled. Personally I can't wait to get back and see Paul and Weyni and the rest of the desk staff...they're like family now

 

[mousey]

How disappointing! We just loved the Courtyard--and the price was the best part--20.02 a night!! We were in the tower--12th floor and the rooms were immaculate. Our last stay was at the Contemporary (wing room) and I felt the Courtyard rooms were comparable except no monorail and what a difference in price!!! Sorry things didn't work out for you!

 

[hallie]

Sorry to hear about that! We had a similiar experience at the Renaissance World gate. It was just a down right nasty room-lol. Thank goodness we were there for just 1 night then off to the AKL and it was wonderful!

I found from reading these boards that some of these off-site hotels seem to have a huge range in the quality of their rooms. When I posted about the Renaissance some people posted saying it was great so they must have *some* good rooms for people to say that. Because there's no way theirs was like the one we had, it was nasty.

I'm glad to hear you had a good time at the CR!

 

[figment27]

I have only read GREAT reviews of CY by Marriott DTD on these boards.
The "quality of rooms" appear to be very consistent.
I look forward to staying at CY for our first "off-site" (OMG, do I dare say it?)experience.

 

[miko]

We have stayed several times recently, going again 1-6 December. Never had a bad experience, staff was quite helpfull and very friendly. Sorry to hear about your issues.

 

[Lou-Ann]

I am so sorry to hear you had this experience as ours was just the opposite. Our room was large and clean. The staff went out of their way to be accomodating to all of our needs and questions. We will definately go back again. I am glad you were able to get a room at athe Contemporary and that the rest of your trip went smoother.

 

[Abra Cat]

I'm just adding my 2 cents to say that we stayed at this Courtyard 2 weeks ago, also for $20.02, and our room was very clean. In fact, I just finished doing a web survey the Courtyard sent to me, and I gave them top marks across the board.

 

[paduncan]

I'm pleased to hear the mostly positive comments on the Courtyard, as we are staying there for portion of Nov. trip.
"Very clean" seems to be most consistent comment - yea!! But I was wondering does that mean "Clean...but shabby?" or "clean... but very worn" What shape was carpet, bedspreads, etc. ? Also, does one section of hotel (tower?) seem to have nicer rooms?

 

[Abra Cat]

I can't say whether some rooms are nicer than others, as we've only stayed there once (so far). I can, however, say that our room looked recently renovated, and very well cared for.

 

[paduncan]

Abra Cat - where was your room? floor & section? thanks!

 

[Abra Cat]

It was in the main section (I guess), room 505, right next to the ice machine (which we never heard once). We had a view of the pool, Downtown Disney and we could see the fireworks at night. We got there before official check in time, but they were able to check us in and store our luggage until we came back from Downtown Disney. When they checked us in, they were saying how pleased we'd be with our room, that we'd want to stay for 13 days instead of 3, and we'd have a terrific view of the fireworks. Well, when we came back to get our room key, we were told they were doing something in the room we were supposed to get, so they could put us in another room that night, and move us to the 10th floor the next day. We agreed, and went to room 505 for the night, but we were so happy and comfortable in there we told the front desk the next morning that we didn't want to change rooms.

 

[melomouse]

Just wanted to say to gravymom that I am sorry your experience was not up to par at the Courtyard. Sounds like they might have even overbooked and put you ina room not normally used???

Others who are planning a stay there - I echo the opinions and experiences of others here. The Courtyard was our "home" for 14 days last year at the special rate and they couldn't do enough for us. Every single staff member we encountered for any reason was so nice and helpful.

Our friends were there recently while we were onsite and they also loved it

But everyone has a different perspective. Just don't want some of you scared off by gravymom's tough time there.

 

[Lou-Ann]

As I stated our room was very clean. Carpeting was clean as well. Not new but far from shabby. If anything was beginning to show wear or age it was the wallpaper but even that was not torn or shabby....I was to understand they were beginning a rehab on a few rooms at a time. We found everything to be in good repair. I do have to say that the mattress we had was the best I have had anywhere including the one at Wilderness Lodge. We split our stay between these two hotels this trip. I was every bit as comfortable at Courtyard for a LOT LESS money. We could stay there and go do lobster dinner at night or a breakfast at Boma for the difference. I thought this to be a win win situation.

 

[mousey]

I agree with Lou-Ann. We also ate at places we normally would consider too expensive, but with the reasonable room rate at the Courtyard how could you not. Granted this hotel is not brand new, but they do a heck of a job at keeping it up! I know people who have stayed at All-Stars and other on property resorts only to be disappointed with the condition of the room. It's unfortunate, but it happens!!!

 

[allshookup]

I agree with gravymom. We stayed there at the end of August and hated it also. Our room was on the 12th floor with wallpaper peeling and extension cords all over the place. If you wanted to see the view of DD you had to stand up because the tower rooms have enclosed balconies. We ended up moving to a garden room with a view of the pool. The room and railing balcony were much nicer, but the looooong hallway to our room was musty smelling. We usually stay at Disney Hotels but decided to try the Marriott since the price was so good. Well we learned our leason and will NEVER try to go discount again!