I stayed overnight at the Courtyard by Marriot LA Torance South Bay in November of 2011 during an educational conference which was held at the hotel. They offered us great rates for the rooms at $99 a night for a Queen suite with a sofa, entertainment area, queen bed with canopy, complementary parking and internet, etc.
When I first entered the lobby I was cheered to see that they had already tastefully decorated the area for the holidays with understated greenery and trimmings. The check in process was lightening fast, the clerk was quite friendly and efficient and notified me that Happy Hour had been extended in the lounge (other side of the lobby) until after the game (I'm not a sports fan so I'm not even certain what game was on but it sounded delightful and very friendly and hospitable that they had extended Happy Hour with 1/2 price drinks when they could have chosen to make a killing on the revelers enjoying the game instead).
However; I was more interested in the internet and getting ready for my conference. The clerk advised me as to how to log on in my room (one could also log on in the common areas either with ones own laptops or the computers provided in the Marriot business area off of the lounge and she pointed out the common business area computers and printers) and I headed to my room.
My little suite was a touch of HEAVEN! There was this delightful four poster bed with a canopy and the promised couch with multiple pillows,and a coffee table, end tables...really a little living room area plus, by the entertainment center... a desk, a table that pulled out from under the business desk area (and an extra chair) so one could make a dining area....all of quite rich hardwoods with a lovely patina Really a suite fit for royalty and at a mere pittance. The entertainment area itself held a HUGE TV and reception was excellent with a variety of channels for what little viewing time that I had.

The bathing area was just as nice. I enjoyed a nice long soak later after studying for my conference.
In the meantime, I logged onto their excellent internet with no dificulty and went over details for the class that I was to take the next day. At the end of my study session I got ready to gather my papers, including a pre-test (which I had printed at home prior to leaving) together...only to find...NO PRE-TEST! Of course, I had NOT brought my printer with me. So I rushed down to the hotels (thank God) excellent business center, logged onto their computer and was able to retake and print out the pre-test. What a lifesaver!
By this time it was pretty quiet in the lounge, business center area as the game was apparently over. I noted a couple of ladies, with their laptops, each with a bottle of wine and a wine glass, sipping wine and working or whatever. The area had such a relaxing ambience that I was tempted to join in, sitting there with my own laptop, sipping wine, enjoying the lovely understated tasteful holiday decorations, so peaceful...so lovely...but then I remembered how early I had to be up so it wasn't meant to be
After my conference the next day there was a problem in that one of my certifications, which I absolutely HAD to have THAT day(as, due to business I was moving so mailing it to me was NOT an option) wasn't with the company representative from the conference. He called his company and they had to create and fax the certificate to the hotel. The clerks at the desk were GREAT about haunting the fax machine for me until the all important fax with my certificate came through.

Overall I was more than happy with my stay at the Courtyard Marriot LA Torrance/South Bay..from the cheerful holiday decorations in the lobby to the efficient check in, the business services offered, the excellently appointed room at a more than reasonable price, the business center, the relaxing lounge and common areas, everything. I cannot think of a single con, all pros, from the start of my stay to the finish.

I might add that they have a small but adequate fitnes area that is open 24/7.

I would highly recommend this hotel to any traveler for business or any travel need.

We stayed here for three nights on 18th Nov. It was straight off the highway 405, so it was handy getting to places. When we pulled up we were a bit worried that it looked basic and in an area that wasn't in the middle of everything. But after entering it we found the rooms clean and spacious with everything in the room that we needed, including coffee maker, iron, iron board, toiletries, work desk, sofa, hairdryer.
Downstairs was an area with free morning coffee, computers and a printer for checking in for airline tickets. There was a small bar/restaurant area which we didnt use but others were using it. The pool area looked ok but it was too cold to go out to try it!!
If you went down the road 5 mins by car there was a Walmart and a Walgreen shop which was handy for bargains.
We only paid $89 a night for this hotel as we only want a cheap break away for a couple of days so we found that we had our money's worth.
Would we stay here again? Yes we would because we personally didn't have anything to complain about. We faced the freeway and the noise was only faint like you would hear at home, so we can't complain about that.
If you want a five star hotel then you pay the price for one, this was fine for the money

Well, it's totally my fault. I thought I was booking the South Bay Torrance Marriott with the real bar and the real restaurant. Instead I accidentally booked the Courtyard by Marriott in a very questionable area of Torrance (such that I have put a chair in front of my door), next to the 405 with loud freeway noise, with a lovely (NOT!) fast-food sort of counter in the lobby which is the "restaurant", watered-down drinks in the same lobby fast-food eatery such that I had to pay the bartender/waitress/frycook to actually put tequila in my weak margarita, terrible french dip (worse than Arby's), no ATM in the hotel and too questionable an area to go out in after dark. I am a Marriott's Rewards member. I travel frequently. Next hotel will be a Hilton. Again, yes, this was my fault for booking the faux Marriott but, seriously, for the price it should have been much nicer.

Room was dingy, carpet dirty. Bathroom was dirty. The entire room needed a deep cleaning and new paint. I was very disappointed. Won't be returning. Not a 3 star hotel at all. It was about as good as a Motel 6.