We have been to CB many times, normally between May-Aug when hotel rates are increased and therefore have never stayed at this property before. We typically stay at the Golden Sands because of the difference in cost during Peak Season. However, during this trip we were only in town for one night and had a gift certificate that covered the majority of our cost. So decided to give it a go.. Front desk staff was very nice and accommodating. When the reservation was made, I asked if we would be able to check-in early and was advised if the room was ready that would be no problem and if it was not they would give us a house key to begin enjoying the property. We arrived on a Friday morning just before 11am and checked into our room with no problems! The room was CLEAN, No mold or mildew anywhere and beds were very comfy. My husband had business in Wilmington that afternoon, so the kids and I headed to the indoor pool and had a great time for a few hours. Though the pool was not as heated I would have liked, my boys loved it.. It was clean and they also enjoyed the hot tub. It was rainy and cool outside but just right inside at the indoor pool. Just as my hubby was returning around 1pm the sun came out and warmed up to a nice 70 degrees..though a lil windy.. you can't beat it for a day one the beach at the end of JANUARY!!! Gotta love NC weather!! Beach was lovely and almost all to ourselves.

Our rate included breakfast. The breakfast was just ok to me.. It consisted of cereal, bagels, pastries, hot waffles, grits, scrambled eggs, ham and cheese quiche, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, fresh fruit and breakfast potatoes..plus an assortment of juice and coffee and for only an extra 2.50 per person I think it was well worth it to add to our room rate. We could not have gotten breakfast at McDonalds for 2.50 a person..

They also serve complimentary starbucks coffee in the front lobby until 10am..

During our stay.. the restaurant area was only open for breakfast and dinner.. not sure if they are open for lunch during peak season. However, this property is in walking distance many restaurants.

I would definitely stay here again, but still don't think I will spend the extra during peak season, they are closer to the boardwalk area and again within walking distance to restaurants their decor is much more updated and honestly speaking "nicer" than Golden Sands and the out door pool is a bit nicer. However, I always find GS to be clean and they too have a great staff. During the peak season, we spend most of our days on the beach and many evenings as well and for my kids a pool is a pool unless there are slides, fountains etc.. We are typically only in our room to shower and sleep.. So if the rate is right, we will definitely stay here again, but with savings of $80 to $100 a night over at Golden Sands, we will likely choose GS during peak season and Courtyard when the rates are lower in off peak season..

I can definitely see where CY would be better for those traveling for business as well. If you just want clean and beach front with less frills there are less expensive places to stay.. But CY does offer amenities and comforts that many travelers prefer.

I stay here two to four times a year because I enjoy ocean front rooms and the variety of scenic and historic sites in the Cape Fear River region of southeastern North Carolina. My most recent visit was a spur-of-the moment early start to a vacation. I made reservations online and was at the hotel a few hours later. My reservation was accurate, which is a nod to the effectiveness of Marriott's reservation system. The room was very clean. I had a 9th Floor room. There weren't many guests since this was mid-week in early January. The rate was very reasonable. The longest elevator wait was less than a minute. The hotel has PCs in the lobby. Breakfast was good, but I miss the Corn Flake French Toast that the use to offer. I believe the property went through a Marriott "standardization" a few years ago which did away with the former Seaside Grill and replaced it with The Bistro. I miss the former full service restaurant. I presume the move was part of a cost cutting/efficiency decision. I will continue to stay here since I love the area and it is still a very good hotel with an attentive staff. I have never had a stay that rated lower than a 4 - most stays have rated a 5.

Not many British visitors go here and we were amazed at the whole area. Extremely friendly and welcoming with no request being too much trouble. Only down side if the wifi goes down there's no sense of urgency to restore it!!

We had a wonderful experience staying at this Courtyard. It has a great view of the beach and we were lucky to get 70 degree weather the first weekend in January. It is about 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington. There is a great restaurant called Deck House across the street if you want to stay in Carolina beach during the off season. Many of the local shops and touristy places are closed until the first weekend in March. The service and rooms were great!