Courtyard by Marriott Jekyll Island

I like that the courtyards are low maintenance with our young kids, and the property is pretty and new. But housekeeping is one of the main advantages over a condo, and we never got service during our four-night stay. We asked twice when we’d be out, were told someone would come by, and no one did. Front desk staff said the policy was every other day and seemed apologetic, but this sounded like a common problem. We had to beg at the desk for towels and toilet paper, and Brenda gave us a stink eye. We only had one in-room coffee and one hot liquid cup for the whole stay. The trash cans aren’t big enough for four nights, so apparently you’re meant to leave rubbish in the hallway. We also found an adult diaper, luckily unused, in the closet. The hotel is attractive, but with so little attention to housekeeping in a humid environment, I worry it’ll get nasty fast. Not sure if the conditioner is watered down or comes that way from the brand, but ladies, bring your own. It’s basically water.

For a Marriott member, there was no recognition, and they charged random $30 “destination” fees. I was also billed for a restaurant I never went to. This hotel could be much better. Our room hadn’t been vacuumed before we arrived: there were big tufts of hair and little bits of trash on the floor. There was mold on the bathroom wall. Everything else was okay.

The staff were so kind, and the property is beautiful. We still can’t get over it, and we’ll definitely be back. Our room seemed recently renovated and was in very good condition. The hotel is stunning, with palm trees by the pool and a beach view. If one’s available, get an ocean view room. We enjoyed the lobby restaurant’s food and service, and liked having a store for extras like snacks and medication. There are plenty of things to do, including a Christmas light show on the island and free bikes to ride around it. The staff were friendly, the room was clean, and we had a great experience. Two small disappointments: we hadn’t realized there’s a fee to get onto the island, and there was no in-room dining except for to-go orders, despite what the Marriott Bonvoy app said.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this stay at Courtyard by Marriott was disappointing enough that I can’t recommend it or say I’d return. I expected more from Marriott, given its reputation for quality, consistency, and service. This felt like they were putting the name on a property without caring about the standard. The biggest frustration was that they do not clean rooms during your stay. Mine was left uncleaned, with trash still there and basic supplies not replenished. At these rates, a clean, maintained room should be a basic expectation. Getting help was difficult, too. No one seemed available or willing to answer when I called the front desk, so guests shouldn’t have to keep calling or hunt staff down for basic answers. Dining was another letdown: slow service, staff who seemed disorganized, and an experience that felt poorly managed. Courtyard by Marriott presents itself as reliable and comfortable, but this property fell short on cleanliness, responsiveness, and guest care. Management needs to take a serious look at housekeeping, front desk service, and dining.