Waco Courtyard Marriott - Great Hotel W/O
Written: Aug 09 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Location, Friendly Staff, Above average fitness center for type, Wonderful omelettes
Cons: Dated decor.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for business travel in the downtown Waco area, especially if your business will be at the convention center or with local government.
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| pilotpat's Full Review: Courtyard by Marriott Waco |
INTRO
Sorry for such a long layoff in writing. I've been traveling.. and traveling.. and traveling. But I got a friendly "where are you?" from Di, so here's another entry before I leave again on Tuesday for the rest of the month!
In my last set of travel, I've been mostly in the TX/OK area. Yes, it's been hot! I stayed at the Waco Courtyard in July for about a week. I was impressed enough with the location that I arranged to book it for several other trips that I and some of my associates will be making to Waco over the rest of the year.
LOCATION
The Hotel is located in downtown Waco, just across the street from the convention center. The other option in this vicinity is the Hilton, on the opposite side of the convention center and owned by the same people.
This makes for an easy walk to the well-done and restored downtown attractions of Waco, including superb shops and restaurants, the government building, and the park that runs along the Brazos river. All in all, Waco is a surprisingly well set-up town for its size (113,000).
On this trip, I packed my road bicycle and took some wonderful excursions through the park, which is just out the door of the hotel, heavily shaded and well-maintained. The park also sports a wonderful path for running or walking that follow the roads and, according to others I met, some great mountain biking trails. It also sports a small but fun outdoor water fountain play/park for the kids and a zoo that is impressive for the size of the town.
Waco Regional Airport is about a 10 minute drive from the hotel, and Dallas and Austin each are is a bit over an hour away.
PARKING/ARRIVAL/CHECK IN
Self-parking is all that is available, and it is uncovered but sufficient. A small covered driveway opens to a relatively standard lobby for the Courtyard chain. Desk staff were very helpful, and when the balance of our group arrived, they offered complimentary cocktails upon check-in. Staff offered to help me with my bags, but that was unnecessary.
Check-in was quick when I arrived, and I was offered a room even though I arrived well before standard check-in time. During the rest of my stay, I only noticed one time (Friday afternoon) where the check-in line clogged.
A single elevator for each of the two wings is available to service the three small floors. It was small but in good condition. If you're not carrying bags, the stairs are just as quick.
ROOM
My room was on the third floor with a view of the Brazos river, but also of the parking lot and road that lay between the hotel and park. The decor is somewhat dated, but clean.
The room itself isn't large, but not tiny either. It featured a queen bed that was a bit soft for my liking, but comfortable enough and stocked with clean bedclothes. The double rollaway couch was a bit old and saggy when opened, but also kept in clean linens. Spare pillows and blankets were provided.
A small desk and lamp were provided. The hotel has installed complimentary wireless internet access throughout the hotel, but my laptop is not equipped. The manager alluded to the possibility of offering USB wireless access kits in the future, but had not made plans yet.
A medium-sized closet is sufficient for business travelers, and my request for extra hangars was handled quickly.
Two phones were provided with modem access. The manager waived the normal local/800 access charges.
The TV offers a good selection of cable, plus a couple free movie channels and PPV. Next to the entertainment center/wardrobe was a brand-new small refrigerator (think College Dorm). A coffee maker completed the extra amenities.
The bathroom was clean. The floor was tiled, with a fiberglass shower/tub. Pressure and heat were good. Soap and shampoo were provided, but no conditioner or lotion freebies. Towels were clean, and in good condition. Necessities (shaving cream, razor, toothbrush/paste, etc.) are available at the front desk.
The wall-mounted heating/cooling system was in good condition, but adjustable only by a HI/LO/OFF switch and rheostat.
SERVICE
The manager and staff were very helpful and always pleasant. They were eager to earn our 30 rooms of business, and were very professional about ensuring that we knew exactly what we were getting and that we got exactly that. Karen, the manager, was especially professional and a delight to work with.
Room service is not available in the hotel, but the steakhouse at the Hilton delivers a quality menu at a reasonable price to the Courtyard.
A small bar is stocked at the front desk, but the hours are somewhat strange due to the specific type of liquor license they have.
The complimentary hot breakfast was wonderful, and the omelettes are of special note. The breakfast staff was very pleasant and my coffee never cooled. A self-serve waffle station is available, along with a reasonable fruit/cereal/yogurt bar and hot buffet line, along with juices and milk.
Housekeeping was polite and efficient, and always made a point of greeting me (or at the least, returning my greeting) as I passed them in the hallway.
FITNESS/POOL
The outdoor pool is too small for lap swims, but very nice in July if you're in one of the "Top Sweatiest Cities in the US" (according to a popular deodorant/antiperspirant manufacturer). It got a bit busy at some times, but never obnoxiously so.
A hot tub/jaccuzzi is between the pool and fitness center and is nicely sized for the hotel.
The fitness center is not huge, but much nicer than one normally gets at a business hotel. Several aerobic machines are available with a small weight machine setup. Baylor University is but a mile or so away, and has an impressive facility that you can arrange reasonable prices for access to.
As I said before, the path through the park is great for running. They lead up some good hills to beautiful vistas of the Brazos.
MEETING/BUSINESS FACILITIES
We did not use the meeting rooms at this location, but they are available. There is sufficient space to spread out in the lobby if you're not looking for a lot of privacy. A desktop with high speed internet is available in that area for no charge, along with the attached laser printer. Faxing and copying are available at the desk for very reasonable prices.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS
These are all located in or around the restored warehouse complex, only a block away from the hotel. There's quite a few more places to sample right in that vicinity, but here's my favorites...
Slo-Poke's
This is a sports bar with superb service and beer selection, and a great menu to boot. My favorite was the Blackened Salmon Spinach Salad. Nicely done.
Cricket's
Large bar, with pool, darts, and whatever that tabletop game that looks like shuffleboard is. Huge selection (100 or so?) of beers on tap. It has a menu, but we never ate here.
Diamondback's
Probably the best restaurant in Waco. Steaks and seafood are the specialty, but mostly steaks.
Ninfa's
Reasonably nice Mexican restaurant with good prices and good margaritas.
Buzzard Billy's
Fun Cajun-themed place to eat. Pretty good food - generous portions at reasonable prices.
OVERALL
This hotel is a bit dated, but in good condition. Probably not where I would spend a romantic weekend with the wife, but then again, if I had the opportunity to spend a romantic weekend with my wife, it probably wouldn't be in Waco at all. The hotel is great for what it's intended for - high-value, limited frills business travel.
PARTICIPATE IN THE GREAT HOTEL WRITE-OFF!
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Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pilotpat
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Member: Pat
Location: World Traveler
Reviews written: 96
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"Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now."
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