Red Room Chronicles

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Marriott Hotels
Location: New York City, NY
Property Web Page: Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Long walkway to the entry doors has a waterfall and a very nice, modern feel. Small, but nicely appointed lobby with concierge desk and coffee machine.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a one bedroom suite with two double beds and a sleeper sofa. The room appointements were very standard for Courtyard’s. The carpet was a bit worn in spots. The sink and mirror were in the bedroom, separate from the toilet and shower. The room had a view of the Empire State Building.

Other Amenities: There’s a standard Courtyard Cafe on the lobby floor and a fitness center in the basement.

Things To Watch Out For: You’ll need your room key for building access after 11PM. Rooms on lower floors prbably don’t have much of a view. Parking (as it is everywhere in Manhattan) will be expensive.

Staff: Prompt and courteous front desk staff.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located just south of Times Square with lots of restaurants, theatres and souvenir shops just a few blocks north of the hotel. Bryant Park, with free WiFi, a large lawn, several food kiosks and a restaurant is half a block to the east. The New York Public Library is a block and a half to the east. There’s a Duane Reed drugstore on the corner for picking up last minute necessities.

Restaurants: Courtyard Cafe (on site) is open for breakfast, Bryant Park Grille, Lots of fast food and sit down choices very close by.

Other Marriotts: Marriott Marquis, Renaissance Hotel Times Square

Other Hotels: Numerous other hotels in the Times Square area.

Tags: Marriott

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Courtyard
Location: Westborough, MA
Property Web Page: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BOSBR

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Your run of the mill Courtyard design, with a small lobby, a restaurant and a pool. There’s a nice sized lounge area with a TV and a fireplace. Small gym with three treadmills an exercise bike and a weight machine combo. The hallways smell pretty musty and the carpeting in the elevator is very worn.

Guest Rooms: Dark blue bed skirts with a golden border. The king size bed has a white duvet and five medium size, but firm pillows. There’s a strange strip of multi-colored fabric that matches the bed skirt draped across the foot of the bed. It’s only purpose appears to be to break up the plainness of the white duvet. There’s standard four drawer dresser with a TV on top, an orange sofa with a small oval coffee table. The desk and chair are very standard. Wired high speed internet access is free.

Other Amenities: Plenty of parking. There’s a small kiosk in the lobby, basically two small, stacked refrigerators where they sell ice cream, soda and assorted small snack items.

Things To Watch Out For: The desk chair in my room is right in front of the in wall A/C unit, causing cold air to blow right up my back. Rooms on the highway side are subject to the constant din on traffic from Interstate 495.

Staff: Friendly

What’s Nearby?

Not much. This one is located in an office park that borders the intersection of two main roads and it’s a few miles drive to the nearest convenience stores or gas stations.

Restaurants: Friendly’s, McDonald’s, Picadilly Pub and Restaurant
Other Marriotts: Residence Inn
Other Hotels: Wyndham, Extended Stay Deluxe, Extended Stay America