Courtyard® by Marriott® Fort Lauderdale City of Plantation

We ended up canceling and moving to another Marriott, where we were welcomed warmly and looked after properly. That made the contrast with this stay especially disappointing. My family and I were in town for New Year, and at around 4:00 PM the front desk associate neither greeted us courteously nor professionally. We were told the nightly price had gone up by $70, which felt unexpected and lacking in transparency, particularly as a Titanium Elite Bonvoy member with a long relationship with Marriott Bonvoy. At about $300 a night, the value didn't feel in line with Marriott standards. Breakfast and coffee aren't complimentary at Courtyard, and The Bistro wasn't open for coffee during our stay. I hope management takes a look at the staff's professionalism and the guest experience, especially at the start of a new year.

The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating, and the location has plenty to do nearby. The pool was nice, and the Bistro food was good. But the stay itself was disappointing, especially for the price and a Marriott property. I woke up with pressure hives after the first night, and the same thing happened after the second, even though I'd taken Benadryl after waking up the first time. Luckily, we were only there for two nights. The sheets and towels felt rough, the water pressure was weak, and there was no furniture on the balcony. On our departure day, housekeeping knocked at 11:15 even though checkout was at noon, and our do not disturb sign was up. We won't stay here again.

The kindness in the breakfast area really made our stay. Even though breakfast had already closed, Miss Shirley saw that my twin brother and I hoped to eat, then she and Gertrude went back into the kitchen and made us a little breakfast with warm boiled eggs, bagels, and juices. They didn't have to, and it meant a lot. We'd arrived around 10:15 AM, well before the 3 PM check-in. Sebastian at the front desk welcomed us with a smile and immediately checked whether we could get into a room early. That friendly welcome set the tone. One of our best Marriott experiences, and the hospitality made us feel right at home.

I've stayed at plenty of Marriott properties, and until this visit the front desk always made me feel welcome. They used to offer bottled water at check-in after travel, and members could ask for a slightly later checkout. This time I got a whole thirty minutes. Hope that extra half hour doesn't bankrupt them.