Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown

The stay-to-play hockey tournament left us with no real choice but to stay here, and the transfer from a partner property was supposed to be equal. It wasn't. We paid $169 instead of the original $159, plus $20 per day to park. I have a handicap plate, but was told my car would be towed if I used the accessible space in the parking deck, and no alternative was offered. There was no management on site during a busy holiday weekend, and the GM never answered my concerns. The staff who were there were polite, but seemed to have no leadership or support. Random people kept coming and going at all hours because the hotel offers day and short stay rooms, which made the place feel shady and uncomfortable, especially for families and people there for a tournament. We also weren't told it was under construction. Breakfast was meant to start at 7 AM, but didn't open until 7:30 because the employee arrived late, and the lobby lights were left off, making it feel like guests were being discouraged from sitting there. Check-in was a bad start too: I arrived at 9 PM to find the front door locked and no staff in sight. I waited over 20 minutes in the cold until another guest let me in, and only then did an employee eventually appear. With the extra fees, accessibility problem, locked door, poor oversight, and uncomfortable atmosphere, this fell far short of basic expectations. I wouldn't return or recommend it.

Parking meant using a garage and walking outside around the building, which was miserable in freezing weather. The first room had poop stains in the toilet and a broken AC, so we asked to switch. At the second room, the keypad wasn't charged, and we had to go back downstairs and wait for someone from the front desk to let us in. The bathroom handle came right off the door with one pull, and dirty linens were left all over the third-floor hallway. Between the room problems, cleanliness, and hassle, the stay was deeply disappointing for the price and Marriott brand. I feel a refund is warranted. I wouldn't stay again.

This was a disaster of a stay, and I won't be back in May for my next visit. The computer system was down all weekend, so check-in and everything else had to be done manually. Our first room had a broken window, and we froze the first night, though staff were helpful in moving us the next morning. After that, the hair dryer didn't work, the TV streaming apps wouldn't let us sign in, and we had to ask for basics like toilet paper and tissues. The Bistro was closed for dinner because it was the slow season, and breakfast opened late because staff were late. Parking cost $20 a night in a public garage, with no indoor access to the hotel. As a frequent traveler, I'd expected better and this definitely wasn't Marriott standard.

We just needed somewhere to sleep before catching an early train south. The beds were comfortable, but the room was sparse and seemed unfinished while renovations were underway in the lobby. I think a discount would make sense during that kind of work. Our early morning ride to the station took longer because of the traffic lights.