Courtyard Avondale Arizona Reviewed

By Don Nadeau, on January 13, 2010, in Hotel Tips, Travel

Normally, I don’t review chain places like Hampton Inns, which are standardized throughout the nation. You could blindfold someone until in the lobby, and she would have no idea of where she is.

With these, travelers find comfort in dependable quality, not in distinctive features.

However, the Courtyard by Marriott in Avondale, Arizona (actually just across the line in southwest Phoenix) stands out.

Location

This Courtyard is one of the closest hotels to University of Phoenix Stadium. A Super Bowl was played just up the road.

It lies at the intersection of the I-10 and 101 loop freeways, which makes it very convenient to get around. (As a consequence, request a front room for more quiet.)

People

What stuck me most about this place was the exceptional friendliness of its staff. Everyone was so helpful and kind.

A special shout out goes to Tanya at check in and to the wise manager who hired her and the others.

I even enjoyed joking with the breakfast chef. How he can be from Tampa and not place black beans and yellow rice on the menu is beyond me!

Negatives

The same manager who hired all those wonderful people should worry about the elevator and hallway rugs. Shockingly for a Marriott, these are skid road flophouse-like worn and filthy at best, especially in the elevators.

Otherwise, everything was usual Courtyard by Marriott quality.

Directions

As one desk clerk said, we opened 2 years ago, but a Google satellite has not yet passed overhead. This impacts even the map used on Marriott’s reservation site.

Instead, use Yahoo maps.