Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Cupertino

I had business meetings nearby, so the location worked really well. We were with people who belonged to another hotel chain’s loyalty club, and their hotel shares the parking lot, which was especially convenient. The rooms were clean and comfortable, with plenty of parking around the property. Staff were friendly and professional, and both check-in and checkout were easy. It was what I’d expect from a Courtyard. Recommended.

The location is handy for Apple Park, but check-in got off to a frustrating start. The front desk pointed us to the wrong side of the building to park. Once we realized our room was on the other side and there was no way through, we had to reload all our luggage and move the car. The beds are so firm that, as a side sleeper, I woke up hurting and felt I might as well have slept on the floor. Also, there aren’t many places nearby for a late breakfast, and the Bistro closes after 9:30 am.

The hallways and stairs smelled bad, and the hotel feels outdated. Housekeeping left the previous guests’ cigarette ashes on the balcony. The bathroom pocket door wheels are loud and need replacing.

The lobby and entrance look lovely, and check-in was fast with excellent service. Inside the room, though, it was stuffy and had a strong damp smell. It felt dated and poorly maintained, and the air was so stale that it was hard to take a fresh breath. It smelled as if the previous guest had been smoking. That gap between the elegant outside and the uncomfortable room was disappointing.