Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Torrance Palos Verdes

The courtyard outside is well maintained, and the staff were friendly. Inside, though, it’s quite dark and the rooms have a musty smell. The shower water never got hot. It looks brand new from outside, but the old Courtyard interior gives away its age.

After we went to sleep, we woke to cloudy, white-looking tap water. My family and I didn’t shower or wash our hands or faces because of it. I called the front desk right away, and staff agreed it wasn’t normal or safe. They said the stay would be refunded and corrected, and that Evelyn, the manager, would contact me. No manager got in touch. I had to email and call, and it took a full week to hear back. In the end, they didn’t honor what had been promised and offered only partial compensation. When I said I was unhappy that the promise hadn’t been kept after such a bad stay, management stopped communicating. The room itself had a strong musty, mildew-like smell that lasted the whole stay. It was so bad we had to leave the balcony door open overnight just to tolerate being in there. The beds were uncomfortable too, with very thin, soft mattresses close to the floor and hardly any support. Between the room condition, the water problem, and the lack of follow-through, I’d never stay at this property again or recommend it.

The courtyard layout keeps this hotel surprisingly quiet, even though it’s in a dense part of the city. You don’t get the constant traffic noise you hear at other nearby hotels, and parking is free. It was a wonderful stay overall. My one gripe is the coffee. There’s none available unless you pay Starbucks’ high prices. Marriott is one of the many hotels that no longer gives guests a coffee bar, so you have to wait in line and pay just to get a morning cup. Annoying.

I arrived at 2 a.m. after a delayed flight and was put in a wheelchair-accessible room. It smelled bad, and the bed was very uneven and so low I had to pull myself up. I asked to change rooms and the next one had filthy carpet, with visible dust and mold under the sink. The whole property feels old, musty, and dirty. I’ve stayed at other well-maintained Marriott Courtyards, and this one compares very badly. I’d booked two rooms through Bonvoy for three nights. When plans changed for one room, I changed that reservation and the price changed too. I asked the front desk to adjust it during the stay, but management refused, including the GM, even after I filed a case with Bonvoy. The original rate I booked should have been honored. That price issue was minor compared with the condition of the place.