Last Thursday, I had to be in Dallas for a family matter. I needed to get a hotel close to north Dallas so I searched hotels in Richardson. I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson a couple of months ago and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to stay there again, but chose to visit the Courtyard Marriott. I stayed at property before, but have never reviewed it.
Booking
I booked a standard King room at the hotel for $97/night. I used my Marriott Rewards credit card to pay for the stay. I was able to earn 1,813 points (970 base points, 600 credit card points and 243 elite bonus points as a Marriott Rewards Gold member).
Arrival
The hotel was located a few minutes from US Highway 75. I arrived at the hotel late in the evening because of a late dinner at Pappadeaux restaurant. The catfish and shrimp and grits were delicious.
The property had free parking around the building. Your room location will decide the side you park.
Check-In
I was greeted as soon as I walked through the main entrance. The lobby looked recently renovated. There was plenty of seating just past the front desk, along with a small business center.
I provided my credit card and ID to clerk. She thanked me for being a Marriott Gold Elite and for serving in the military. I was then informed that I could have complimentary breakfast at The Bistro because I booked at the government/military rate. Thanks! I was also upgraded to a King Suite.
Room
After receiving my room keys, I made a right and then a quick left down the long hallway to my room. It was towards the end of the hall, on the left.
The door opened into a hallways that separated the bathroom and bedroom. The room felt dated, but it was a decent size.
The bathroom was on the left. The sink and closet were in the front section.
The shower/bathtub combo and toilet were in the back section.
Across from the bathroom was the King bedroom. The room contained a huge bed, tv, and a single chair.
The living area was a huge space located at the far side of the suite. It contained a couch (doubles as a bed), a couple of chairs, tv, desk, and kitchenette. I enjoyed the space but, as I said earlier, the room was a bit old.
Dining
The Bistro was located in the lobby. I arrived to find that The Bistro was closed. Granted, it was after 10pm, but it seemed early for the restaurant to close.
The following day, I went by for breakfast. I received one complimentary breakfast because I booked the hotel at the government/military rate. Is this new? I have never received that benefit before. I had a turkey and cheese sandwich (balanced breakfast on the menu) and a fruit cup. The sandwich took 10 minutes to prepare, it was not bad. The fruit was fresh and sweet.
There was a market to the right of the front desk if you needed something not found in The Bistro.
Fitness
The fitness center is located on the opposite side of the property from the main lobby. There were a few cardio machines, free weights, a universal machine, and medicine balls.
The pool was located just outside of the fitness center, in the courtyard. It was closed for some reason. There was some seating outside of the pool area.
Final Word
The Courtyard Marriott served its purpose. It allowed me to tend to my family situation and provided a comfortable nights rest. The complimentary breakfast was appreciated, thanks again. The lobby looked renovated but the same cannot be said about the room. I still found the hotel to be a great value and would not hesitate staying there again.
