This is a very belated (and lengthy) review. I stayed at the Airport Courtyard Marriott in March 2011, and was holding off on writing a review since I am visiting Anchorage again this February 2012. Originally planned on staying at this hotel again due to location alone, then doing a comparison, hopefully noting improvements.
However, the more I thought about my stay last March the more I decided I wanted a different experience; this time I will stay elsewhere, and will review those accommodations later.
First Arrival: This was during the renovation. The side entrance took me into a run down hallway that had me wondering immediately about security. The scrawled handwritten paper signs and the overall dilapidated appearance surprised me, given this was a Marriott hotel.
Once at the front desk, I was told they weren't expecting me till Thursday night and the hotel was sold out. I had booked directly with the hotel myself, and admittedly missed the fact that I should have booked three nights, Wed-Fri, with late arrival 1 a.m. Thursday. Instead, I had booked two nights, with early arrival Thursday (duh). My mistake--yet it seemed odd to me that the hotel employee did not catch this at time of booking, despite her taking note of my middle-of-the-night arrival time.
The staff did call a nearby hotel for me, and offered to shuttle me there. When I told them I had my rental car, they also offered to have the shuttle drive ahead of me to the nearby hotel, and I did appreciate this.
First Departure: I was not parked near the entrance, and (naively) thought the shuttle driver would give me a lift through the parking lot (1:30 a.m., 40 mph wind gusts, 5 degrees). I was wrong. He sat in the shuttle while I slipped and slid across the ice to my car with my luggage. Once I got to the car and drove up behind him, he drove ahead of me to the other hotel (about 2 minutes away) and then took off. I couldn't have given him a tip if I had wanted to--which I didn't.
Second Arrival: The following day, I did check in at the Marriott. I was struck with the overall surly attitude of the manager, and how the office staff generally seemed resentful about being there--or about the customers being there.
Accommodations: The room was clean and comfortable, with enough space and a nice bathroom. I did not find the location noisy (room faced Spenard Road), but it was March so the windows were closed. Since my 2nd-floor room looked out onto the parking lot, I appreciated the sheer curtains for a bit more privacy. The housekeeping staff seemed friendly when I saw them in the hallways, though I did not have them into the room during my 2-night stay.
Internet: I don't have a laptop or smart phone, but during the renovation they had converted one of the first-floor rooms to an internet room. I had no problem getting on the computer and maintaining a connection--though once again, the staff seemed resentful when I asked where the computer was.
Location: Can't beat the location. I had chosen this hotel due to its proximity to the airport, and also found it very convenient to get to wherever I wanted to go during my stay.
Food: I only sampled breakfast the morning of my departure. The restaurant was closed due to the renovation, and they had converted another hotel room into a breakfast area. They did have someone there who was--reluctantly, it seemed--preparing omelettes on request; I just had some toast and coffee, both of which were fine.
Second Departure: Several of us caught the shuttle to the railroad station. The trip was uneventful and the other passengers very pleasant. I don't recall anything specific about the driver, other than that we were shuttled to the station promptly.
I would rate this 2.5 stars; the room was fine, the staff was below average. Given the convenient location I am giving this hotel a 3, but would not recommend it for any other reason. While I sincerely hope this hotel has improved over the last year, I have decided not to find out first hand.
- Courtyard Anchorage Airport
- Courtyard Anchorage
- Anchorage Courtyard
- Anchorage Marriott
