Courtyard Marriott Binghamton

Getting checked in took a wait, but the process itself was fine. Later I asked whether there was ice, since our room had an ice bucket, and the front desk said there were machines at the far end of every floor. Around 10:30 pm, the second-floor machine seemed completely dead, and the first-floor one had an Out of Order sign. The bar was closed, though another guest said someone was cleaning in the kitchen. I went back there for ice, and the employee who'd checked us in told me, “get out…you can’t be here”. I returned to the bar to wait, and he said he'd check the machines. He eventually came back with a bag of ice. When I asked where he'd found it, he ignored me once, then said “third floor”. That's not what I expect from a Marriott.

For a weekend packed with homecoming events, the clean room and comfortable bed were all I needed. We also liked the Bistro, with its decent food and reasonable prices. The one drawback was slow wifi, so it wasn't great if you needed to work. I stayed here while visiting Binghamton for homecoming.

The lobby and gym were clean and welcoming, the staff were attentive, and the hotel had good amenities. But the room felt dingy and overlooked. The coffee maker was so inaccessible that I couldn't plug it in without moving heavy furniture and twisting into awkward angles. The tub looked visibly aged and dirty or stained, the sink drain didn't lift enough to let water out, and the shower spray handle wouldn't move. My mother would have needed a room like this in her final years, and it made me sad to see it so neglected.

I've stayed at Marriott properties often for work, and this was the best Courtyard experience I've had, thanks to Chris and Candy. I use this Courtyard as a midway EV charging stop because it's convenient to SUNY Binghamton and there are lots of nearby food options. On my latest trip, I stopped to charge and asked the friendly front desk staff if I could use the bathroom. He said yes and invited me to stay warm in the lobby while my car charged. As a Bonvoy member, that hospitality stood out. Then, just after I got back on the highway, I had a tire blowout. While waiting for the tow, I booked a room at the friendly Courtyard. When I returned, Chris Rock greeted me. He was the same person who'd welcomed me earlier and was surprised to see me back so soon. After hearing what had happened, he went out of his way to make the inconvenience end right away. He upgraded my room, gave me a bottle of water, and arranged late checkout. I'm certain he'd have found me something to eat if I'd needed it. In the morning, Candy got breakfast for me, carefully picked the best fruit, and made my coffee just right. When I was ready to retrieve my car, she offered to drive me to the dealership. That kindness was unforgettable. The hotel itself has the signature comfortable bed, great pillow options, a great hot shower, Eucalyptus/ Lavender bath products, a nice work station and lighting, and clean, comfortable, welcoming public spaces. There's also a good gym and pool, adequate free parking, and fast EV chargers at reasonable prices. There are plenty of hotels around, and some may be cheaper, but this place is special. If you want people who are looking out for you, it's the Binghamton Courtyard, no question.