Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott is a brand of hotels owned by Marriott International. Courtyard by Marriott is designed for business travelers but also accommodates families. Its rooms have desks, couches, and free Internet access. The majority of locations have a bistro which serves breakfast (not free), appetizers, sandwiches, and more. All have 24-hour “mini-marts.”

It competes with other mid-priced business-oriented hotels like Cambria Suites, Wingate Inn and Hilton Garden Inn.

The first location was built in 1983 in Atlanta and was Marriott’s first sister brand. The brand was always meant to target business travelers. However, over the years, it has come to cater to the leisure traveler, too. Most now have a swimming pool or fitness center, microwaves and mini-fridges for rent, and family rates. Many properties have a mini-fridge in every room and usually have a complimentary guest microwave in The Market. Usually, microwaves are found in suite rooms.

Marriott International spent $2 billion in the mid-1980s on building out the Courtyard by Marriott chain in order to target Holiday Inn’s clientele.