Courtyard by Marriott Newark-University of Delaware

No hot water at all, and they already knew about the problem when we called the front desk. They said a service tech would come up in 2 hours. For what? Maybe the hotel needs a bigger boiler system for all the rooms. Who wants an ice-cold shower in the middle of winter? This is the most expensive hotel in the area, yet there was no hot water whatsoever. Don't book here if you want a shower, unless you like ice-cold water. Next time, Holiday Inn.

The staff made this a great stay, especially Taj at the front desk. I needed help finding a larger bag for ice for my bad knee, along with a few other things. He was upbeat, friendly, and ready to help every time. That's the kind of service I wish everyone offered. The location was good for the University and our room was nice too.

No heat in my room, so I was freezing all night. The shower was broken, and nobody made an attempt to fix it. There was one packet of bad coffee in the room, and more coffee cost extra. No soap for the shower either, and no free breakfast even for the highest loyalty level. They charge $250-$350 a night for a place that's supposed to be a 3 star hotel. I spend well over $25k a year at Marriott hotels, and this is how they treat that loyalty. Imagine how they treat someone who just wants a nice night out once in a while. Management should be embarrassed. Another bad Courtyard from Marriott, a brand that already seems the worst of their hotels, and this one lives up to that.

We were there for our son's wedding and hardly spent time in our room, but the staff made the stay. Lily at the front desk was especially helpful. The bride and her bridesmaids, and the groom and his groomsmen, used the suites to get ready. A few “emergencies” came up, and Lily took care of each one with a smile and a “sure, we can do that.” Her manager Michael was very helpful too. The kindness came from beyond the front desk as well. On our first day my husband dropped a box, scattering its contents all over. Staff from all over came to help pick everything up. I can't say much about the rooms, but the staff alone are worth staying for.