Skellington,
I stayed in the Courtyard at Marriott Village last October. I'll tell you what I know, mostly about the Courtyard. In researching it, I read many, many good things about the Fairfield, but never got near it. I know nothing about the suites. But the Courtyard I can help you with.
How's It Look: Great. I recommend this hotel if you can get a reasonable rate. We got it by chance on Priceline for forty bucks, I couldn't find it cheaper than that anywhere. The hotel is about two years old, the beds comfortable, the grounds beautiful. We absolutley loved the room. The refrigerator is a nice touch, but don't expect much from it. It's more like a small cooler with a miniature cooling element in the back.
Major plusses: the Courtyard pool is fantastic. It's an indoor/outdoor pool and it's a walkin, meaning the pool starts at ground level and decends. There's a waterfall separating the outside part from the inside part, pretty cool. There's also hottubs both inside and outside. And the pool area is huge, with plenty of covered tables and a gazeebo where we had breakfast each morning. Anyone staying in the other motels can use their own pool or this one, and most came over to the Courtyard.
Good breakfast buffet inside. The food court is your basic fast-food fare (Pizza Hut, sandwiches, tacos, etc). Downer was we left for the parks each morning at 8 and got back at 7 or past. And the food court is only open limited daytime hours.
Minuses: This could have changed in a year, but half the staff was over-the-top pleasant and helpful, the other half were downright rude. I don't require much from the staff, but if you need something from them, it's a fifty fifty shot.
Other minuses: If you care for the bar, it stinks. Three seater witha bartender that's not really into it. Again, this could have changed in a year. It could have even changed in a couple of hours. He was rude once and I never went back. Also, be careful of the folks at the information desk. They push the timeshares to a painful point. I finally walked up and nice as pie told her if she bugged me again I'd quit being nice as pie.
Resort fee: yes, I think it was five bucks a night. They couldn't really tell me what it was for, I'm assuming the Marriott Executive retirment fund. FYI, we did not use the transportation, as we had a car, but I understand it was adequet.
Deals: I saw nothing under $69 and went a different way this year. My wife and I are cheap. What can I say.
My overall review is I always look for deals, so I'm weird. Given the choice between Hojo's East at $30 a night and Marriott at $50, I'd deal with the moldy blankets and use the money elsewhere, as we spend precious little time in the hotel (we're in the DTD BW, leaving today!). But I'd never feel uncomfortable in this hotel. We were impressed with the hotel, the staffing situation, in my experience, is everywhere, even the occasional on-site resort. But the rooms, the grounds, the location (one mile from DTD) and especially the pool area make it a mighty comfortable stay.
Good luck!
