Courtyard Marriott Pattaya review: perfect for families and beyond

Recently I have been to Pattaya for a couple of days and took the opportunity to review two different hotels: This Courtyard by Marriott opened last summer. is first hotel in the city of the American chain and second in the area since there is a Renaissance resort outside the city. The second hotel was the fantastic stay at Hilton Pattaya, one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.

This is also the first review of a hotel from this chain on our site.

Foreword

If you think Pattaya is just the city of sin you are wrong. Not only is it the paradise of avgeeks like me with a Boeing 747 parked in the middle of a market where they eat great streetfood.

There is also a huge shopping mall called Terminal21. A very nice mall and a must-see destination for aviation fanatics because not only does it have a B737 parked out front ( and a private jet as well), but it is airport-themed at 100%.

The exterior walkways look like airport fingers and inside it is themed with floors dedicated to various nations (including Italy) there is a mini Eiffel Tower and a Tower of Pisa, and each escalator is turned into a gate door as for departing flights in a real airport.

Then there is the sea, the warmth, the flavors of Thailand, and you don't necessarily have to bivouac on Walking Street, although it deserves at least a walk like on the Freemont Experience in Las Vegas or Little Italy in New York.

Reservation

I booked by paying cash because the price was less than 100 euros per night and why there was the qualifying double nights promo, perfect for renewing my status in the Bonvoy program.

As with all reviews involving Southeast Asia. 100€ is not a cheap room when compared to the cost of living, it is possible to sleep even for 15€ per night if you want, but it is not the kind of accommodation I like. Instead, this hotel is the perfect middle ground for those who want brand certainty while spending the right amount. A product that meets worldwide standards with the ability to accumulate or use points.

Location

The hotel is not on the seafront, and it remains in a slightly secluded location. However, it is not a bad thing to be away from the promenade and its noise. It is a 5-minute walk from Terminal21 and is still in an area with restaurants and bars, though less touristy than downtown.

Check-in

I arrived late in the evening directly from Bangkok airport, The car trip takes about 80 minutes. I took a car with Grab, one of the leading apps in Asia that allows you to do everything Uber model and more. The cost was 1300bath. I know very well that I could have haggled with a cab around 1000bath, but in the end I would have had to pay cash and instead on Grab I have my amex and every euro spent is a point earned for the next trip. Of course, first I activated my Airalo esim so that I would have data line all the way.

When I arrived there were other guests in the queue, but in five minutes I already had my key and was headed to the room. No upgrade, or rather if I was upgraded I was not told and I did not even perceive a big difference in the room from what I expected. As an Elite Bonvoy member I was offered a welcome gift to choose from:

• A snack and a cocktail by the pool or at a hotel bar
• 500 bonvoy points
• 10$ credit per day to spend at the facility for drinking and eating
• Free breakfast for two

In the end I chose breakfast even though being alone I would (perhaps) have gotten a better deal by selecting the 10$ credit per day, with which to cover the cost of breakfast and possibly a half drink at the pool.

The room

The structure as mentioned is new and consists of two towers of 8 floors each.

I take the key and head to Tower 2, enter the elevator and see only 7 floors and my room was 2705. I get out and ask "excuse me how do I get to the 27th floor?" The attendant with a face that said "This is beating me up" explained to me that the first number indicates the tower, the second the floor and the other two the room.

My room was the last one in the hallway away from the elevator, I think it is a strategy to get me to dispose of my breakfast to always stand on the opposite side of the exit. The room is nice, clean, neat and suitable for a medium length stay.

There is a capacious closet, a nice bathroom with a panoramic shower, a king bed, a sofa under the window, and all the necessary gadgets such as mega-screen, safe, ironing board, etc.

There is a mini-bar, empty, and many free bottles of water that are made available to guests every day. In short, it is everything that is logical to expect from such a facility.

The bed is comfortable and has a nice topper, if you don't know Marriott sells everything on its site: mattresses, sheets, toppers, pillows, even the frames. And if you want if you have the status you can also have the 20% discount (but I don't recommend it).

The bathroom is large and the shower is windowed to the room. Of course for the more timid there is a curtain to pull down. Appreciable that there is (almost) no disposable plastic throughout the hotel.

The structure

He has not yet blown out the first candle, and it shows, everything is still immaculate. On the ground floor is the lobby, a small business center, and a bar with sofas and various types of seating.

There is also the main restaurant here, the one where breakfast is served.

On the roof of the structure are the rest of the hotel's public spaces.

There is a small, but scenic gymnasium with the right equipment to keep in shape without running in the heat of Thailand.

There is a kids club with an outdoor and indoor part open every day morning and afternoon.

The treat is the pool; there is a small area reserved for children and then a larger one open to everyone. The size is just right and perfect for taking a few strokes after a long day around town.

There is also a pool bar here that is perfect for an evening drink while admiring the sunset over the Sea of Thailand.

Food & Beverage

I did not have lunch at the facility I just had breakfast. Buffets in Thailand are always generous, of course Is not the most generous I have ever seen, but he defends himself well.

At the time it was offered on a pay-as-you-go basis at a cost of 220thb, which is absolutely cheap for what it offers and what you can eat.

There is everything, there are various cuisines, there is sweet and there is savory, there are two express kitchens one dedicated to eggs and one to noodles, impossible not to leave with enough energy to survive until dinner.

In conclusion

Pending Hilton's Garden Inn this is the only mid-level property from a major chain, sure the price for being in Thailand might be high compared to the average, but that's what you have to pay to sleep in Marriott sheets.

• Bonvoy

The verdict

Of course 100 euros per night for Thailand's prices may seem like a lot, but if you want the guarantee of an international chain it is a figure in line with the costs of the moment, in 2021 with the same amount of money you slept in a 5-star in Bangkok, but times were different. The hotel is suitable for all travelers, including families. In fact, families are probably the ones who will appreciate this facility the most.

7.5

Pro

• Location
• Nice rooftop
• Huge breakfast

Against

• Location