Courtyard Marriott - Closing Some Time in Late 2008

The Courtyard Marriott is scheduled to close some time near the end of 2008.

Based on my conversation today with their new GM Dan, we will not be endorsing, promoting or recommending this property until we are able to evaluate the property after the renovations have been completed. Based on my understanding of the proposed nature and scope of the renovations; and the average duration of similar projects, it will be some time between 2010 and 2015 before everything is completed.

Activity Guide currently recommends two resorts with very similar rates and amenities:

Sunshine Suites and Comfort Suites:

Sunshine Suites is less expensive than Courtyard with very similar amenities and much larger rooms. They are not a fully-enclosed resort; nor are they situated directly on the beach but neither was Courtyard. Sunshine Suites is near the Ritz so it is much closer to many Seven Mile Beach shops, restaurants and attractions.

Comfort Suites is about the same price as Courtyard with very similar amenities and much larger rooms. They are a fully enclosed resort situated directly on the beach; although many of the rooms do not have direct ocean views. Comfort Suites is also going through a management change and I am in the midst of negotiating a better discount for our members.

Both of these properties are available at the best rates through our

Frequent Flyer Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 30

This place looks and sounds really nice and I like the price. From what I understand in the previous posts, their restaurant and pool is on the beach side (across the road). Is this correct?

Other questions...

*What restaurants and shops are within walking distance?

*Is this a nice area of beach?

Thanks!

Frequent Flyer Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 22

My husband & I stayed at The Courtyard Marriott in September and the staff was always polite, professional and very friendly. Good room rates. I was told the management was changing and renovating. We always were greeted very welcomely by the bellman, Eera. And Clyde the lobby bartender we both truly bonded with(not just because he made great rum punch either!) Eera and Clyde are good people. But the hotel room was perfect and comfortable. The pool was encredible and the beach across the street had beautiful sunsets and a great beach bar---for more rum punch!!! spin

WE MISS YOU CLYDE & EERA!!!! Sad

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:55 pm Post subject:

The Courtyard Marriott will be closing for extended renovations in April. They plan to reopen in 2009 as a Marriott Renaissance, which is a much more upscale and luxurious resort. They were not giving out too many details but assured me they would be on par with the Ritz when they reopen. If things go as planned they will reopen some time in 2009; if things go like they do with every other resort that has ever undergone a major renovation/expansion project, they will probably open some time in 2010 - 2011.

With the closing of Courtyard Marriott, our two most affordable resorts are now Sunshine Suites and Comfort Suites. For a little more, you can get into the Marriott, which is one of the top resorts on the island. With your Activity Guide discounts factored in, most times of the year the Marriott can fit almost any budget. Wink

I will post further developments as they become available.

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

WOW - that is huge! Thanks for the update, so much is changing since last year!!!

:palm:

Moderator Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1825 Location: Ohio

I stayed there in 2002. Great snorkeling, when we were there and at their beachside cafe they had a chicken with scotch bonnet sauce sandwich for lunch that was killer! It will be interesting to see what happens there.

Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

I contacted the Marriott people and they said the Courtyard is not closing in April.

Can you tell me if the hotel is still open? I have reservations for April 28.

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

I'm sure you don't have to worry if you are holding a reservation for April 28th. I've heard that their closing has been delayed, but not sure for how long. Maybe until after the summer?

We'll try to find out.

Maybe, when you come back, you can tell us what you've found out!

Have a great trip!

Char

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

The Courtyard Marriott is scheduled to close some time in 2008.

Based on my conversation today with their new GM Dan, we will not be endorsing, promoting or recommending this property until we evaluate the property after the renovations have been completed. Based on my understanding of the proposed nature and scope of the renovations?and the average duration of similar projects, it will be some time between 2010 and 2015 before everything is completed.

Activity Guide currently recommends two other resorts with very similar rates and amenities:

Sunshine Suites and Comfort Suites:

Sunshine Suites is less expensive than Courtyard with very similar amenities and much larger rooms. They are not a fully-enclosed resort; nor are they situated directly on the beach but neither was Courtyard. Sunshine Suites is near the Ritz so it is much closer to many Seven Mile Beach shops, restaurants and attractions.

Comfort Suites is about the same price as Courtyard with very similar amenities and much larger rooms. They are a fully enclosed resort situated directly on the beach; although many of the rooms do not have direct ocean views. Comfort Suites is also going through a management change and I am in the midst of negotiating a better discount for our members.

Both of these properties are available at the best rates through our

Message duplcated - Joe

Newbie Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Florida

Ok now you have me worrying.

I'm going to the courtyard on the 25th of june untill the 29th.

Hope they are still open then Smile

Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:57 am Post subject:

Elly42 - You need not worry that the Courtyard will be closed in June. If I gave that impression it was not intentional. They will probably be open for most of 2008. There are however many other reasons why I would suggest booking a different property for anyone who has the opportunity to do so. I gave two alternatives above: Comfort Suites and Sunshine Suites.

Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Oregon

So your honest recommendation is NOT staying there? I just booked a weekend there for my husband and I for May30-June1. Yikes, I'm getting nervous about it.

Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

I just returned from the Caymans and stayed in the Courtyard April 28-May 1, 2008.

It was fully open and very nice. The beach is great and the water is beautiful. Enjoyed it very much.

The only negative that I had, and it is very minor, it is not close to other shopping or dining. Maybe 2-3 miles away. Other than that, the Courtyard is a very good place to stay.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

HayleysMom - Why are you getting nervous? They are not going to just shut their doors and turn away people with reservations.

Like any property that is closing permanently, they have nothing to lose as far as their reputation is concerned because they will be eventually reopening with a completely different brand—probably a Marriott Renaissance, which is more on par with a Ritz or Four Seasons. Their new GM, Dan was even entertaining the possibility of beach units (although where they may be constructed is anyone's guess given their relatively small beach area; there are rumors about constructing a bypass road that would result in a much larger beach; I've heard talk of canal units like Britannia and all sorts of different possibilities. Whatever it ends up becoming, it will be nothing like a Courtyard Marriott that is more analogous to a Holiday Inn, which is what that property was initially branded.

In the mean time, they seem to have no interest whatsoever in attracting new visitors and that speaks volumes about the quality of product that will be available during their final remaining days as a Courtyard. I have no specific knowledge of any degradation of quality but based on my conversations with Dan, I received the distinct impression that he is not interested in attracting any new guests whatsoever.

With two comparable properties that I have personally inspected; offering discounts for our members; and situated much closer to restaurants, attractions, shopping, etc. I have simply eliminated Courtyard Marriott from our list of recommended resorts.

Of course everyone is free to attach as much or as little weight as they like to my recommendations. Activity Guide does not profit one iota from the reservations we generate for any of the properties we recommend so there is no financial incentive whatsoever for me to offer anything but my candid and completely unbiased opinions for what I consider to offer the greatest value for our members.

Like everything else, my sole incentive is to provide our members and readers with the best information possible to ensure the utmost satisfaction and value from their Cayman Island vacations.

Wherever you decide to stay in the Cayman Islands, you will have a wonderful vacation; the overall standard of accommodations in the Cayman Islands is much higher than any other Caribbean destination that I am aware of.

So HayleysMom, please relax and prepare yourself for one of the best vacations you have ever experienced, regardless of where you decide to stay. Very Happy

Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Oregon

Thanks for the insight...I really appreciate it. Having been to Cayman 4 times now - you're right, no matter where we stay - it's going to be FABULOUS!

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