Always a very nice room, a good restaurant and at reasonable prices, Marriott’s Courtyard Inn gets high marks. But, did you know they are rated very highly on their security measures? A recent network news magazine pointed out that this chain is about the only one that actually rates their employees on how well they follow security rules. “Consumers’ Reports” also gave this motel chain high marks for both comfort and security.

They are very good at changing the electronic key combinations (the news magazine and “Consumers’ Reports” both checked). Their buildings are designed for better security. For example, room doors are not right next to vehicle parking and you enter your room from a well-lighted hallway. Back doors require your room key be used to enter them. Parking lots are also well-lighted.

Just last October, I vacationed with several friends in northern California. Our plans called for spending the first weekend in the San Francisco area. Then, a few days in the Ft. Bragg/Mendocino area, followed by a few days in the Napa Valley; and, ending with another weekend in San Francisco. I was “elected” to pick the motels and make the reservations.

I needed three non-smoking, double occupancy rooms for every stay. Ft. Bragg was the only spot I could not find a Marriott’s Courtyard Inn, but the accommodations we did use were still very nice. All the Marriott’s Courtyard Inns were clean and well maintained. When I made the reservations, I was offered their “breakfast lovers special” and it was well received by everyone in our party. The deal was you got breakfast for an extra $5.00 per person on your room rate. It was an all you can eat buffet and the only problem was that some of the restaurant staff new nothing about it. So, we simply sent them to check with the front desk and everything was fine.

The Courtyard Inn phone reservations person alerted me that the full service Marriott hotel in Burlingame, CA (right next to the San Francisco International Airport) had a weekend special for the last few days of our stay and the reduced rate was actually less than what we would have paid at the Courtyard Inn nearby. It’s a spectacular hotel and my friends were very happy with it and all the arrangements I made for the trip. Plus, the “breakfast lovers” special was in effect there. So, we enjoyed a very nice breakfast buffet each morning, overlooking the planes landing—right over the water at the nearby airport.



Recommended: Yes