Luxury Columbus Escape: Courtyard New Albany Awaits!
Luxury Columbus Escape: Courtyard New Albany Awaits! - A Messy, Magnificent Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and the lukewarm coffee from the Courtyard New Albany (apparently a Columbus escape, right? Whatever. Let's go with it). This isn't your sanitized, corporate-speak review. This is real life, baby. Prepare for opinions, imperfections, and a whole lot of rambling.
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Keywords: Courtyard New Albany, Columbus, Ohio, Hotel Review, Luxury Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant Review, Cleanliness, Safety, Wi-Fi, Accessibility, Meeting Facilities, Pet-Friendly (sort of!), Parking.
(Now, the messy, magnificent review begins…)
First off, the name. "Luxury Columbus Escape"? Ambitious, isn't it? I came expecting a hidden oasis of pure bliss, and what I got was… a Courtyard by Marriott. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. Just not quite the escape of my dreams. More like a… well, a slightly fancier motel.
Getting Started: The Entrance & the Awkward Parking.
Finding the place was easy enough. The signage was clear. The entrance, however? Seemed designed to make you question your life choices. It's a long driveway, and after a long drive, you just want to get in.
Accessibility: (Because, like, everyone should be able to escape, right? Right!)
Alright, big points on Accessibility. The wheelchair accessibility was generally good. Ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. I didn’t personally need it, but I did see folks navigating around with relative ease. The elevator was a godsend, especially because I always choose a high floor… more on that later. The Facilities for disabled guests were definitely present, which is huge. I did notice a few areas where the automatic doors felt a little… sticky (minor imperfection, I swear!).
The Room: High Floor Dreams & Blackout Curtains of Awesomeness.
I'm a sucker for a high floor. The high floor requests always get me. So, when I booked, naturally, I requested the highest, and the request was fulfilled! Boom! Non-smoking rooms are a given, obviously. The blackout curtains were epic. Like, could-sleep-through-a-nuclear-winter epic. The Bed? The dreaded hotel bed. Okay, it was comfortable enough ( Extra long bed - appreciated!). The Bathroom was, well, a hotel bathroom. Clean, functional, all that jazz. But let me tell you a secret… the complimentary shampoo? Thin and generic. The slippers, on the other hand, were a surprisingly delightful touch.
(Rambling About Internet & In-Room Amenities…)
Internet – essential. And thank GOD for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet access – wireless, and I'm not sure what the Internet [LAN] was about. Who uses LAN anymore?! Actually, I should have asked. Hmmm!
Okay, back to the rooms. The desk was pretty standard, but the laptop workspace was well-lit. The Refrigerator? Good for keeping the water ice cold. The coffee/tea maker? Crucial in the morning, even if the coffee was so-so. Complimentary water, like, seriously, thank you. It’s the little things.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, you know, the world is a chaotic mess…)
This is where the Courtyard shines, kinda! They were SERIOUS about this. Anti-viral cleaning products everywhere, Hand sanitizer galore. Daily disinfection in common areas, and I even saw them doing the Room sanitization between stays, which I appreciated, even if I’m a germaphobe. The staff, bless their hearts, were always on top of everything. The Staff trained in safety protocol was very evident, and they were all wearing those masks. Kudos on the health front, but now, the Safety/security feature was a bit intense -- the lights came on every time you walked by. I still felt safe.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: The Food Odyssey (and Sometimes, the Despair)
Okay, the food. This is where things get… mixed. The Breakfast [buffet]? Standard hotel fare, mostly. Asian breakfast? Not really. Western breakfast? Yep. Breakfast takeaway service? Yes. I had the Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was so-so. I would have appreciated a bottle of water in the breakfast.
They had Restaurants… plural. They also had a Snack bar. The Poolside bar was closed because of some issues. But if you're lucky enough to get a salad, great! Their desserts in restaurant, were too sweet. The room service [24-hour]? I didn't try it, but it was a nice option.
Ways to Relax & Things To Do (aka, the "Escape" Part)
This is where the "Luxury Escape" claim, kinda, falls apart. You weren't going to get a tropical vacation:
- Swimming pool [outdoor] - was not open.
- Fitness center - standard hotel gym. Treadmill, some weights. Get your sweat on.
- Spa and Spa/sauna - I didn't see them.
- Sauna - could be missing.
- Steamroom - I'm not sure I trust those.
- Massage - maybe you need to book?
- Foot bath - I'm not sure I'd trust those either
There's a reason why it felt more like a pit stop instead of a getaway.
Services & Conveniences: The Helpful Stuff & the Not-So-Helpful Stuff.
Concierge: Helpful. The Concierge, bless their hearts, was very polite. Dry cleaning service was available (because, you know, luxury). There's Cash withdrawal and a Convenience store. The Gift/souvenir shop? Uh, yeah, pretty standard. Daily housekeeping was efficient.
Pet-Friendly-ness (The Weirdness):
They list Pets allowed unavailable in the amenities, but then in the policies it said they are allowed. Okay, the policy said they are allowed. So I think that's great!
Couple's Room, and Proposal Spot?
They do actually have proposal spots! The Couple's room is an option.
Going Further: More Ramble…
Air conditioning in public area: Working fine!
CCTV in common areas: Okay, I guess security?
Check-in/out [express]: Good!
Check-in/out [private]: If you're important
Fire extinguisher: Safety first!
Front desk [24-hour]: Good!
Hotel chain: Yeah, it's Marriott.
Smoke alarms: Good!
Getting Around:
Airport transfer - Not free!
Bicycle parking - I don't think they had any bikes, but there was parking.
Car park [Free of charge]: Good!
Car park [on-site]: Good!
Taxi service: Available.
Valet parking: Not available.
In Conclusion: The Verdict?
Would I call it a "Luxury Escape"? Maybe not. Is it a solid, reliable, clean, and generally comfortable hotel? Absolutely. If you're looking for a perfectly acceptable place to crash in New Albany, and you're not expecting a five-star experience, you'll be fine. I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. And yes, I’d probably stay there again. Because sometimes, you just need a good, clean, high-floor room with blackout curtains. And a whole bunch of hand sanitizer.
Farmington Hills' BEST Kept Secret: Stay at MainStay Suites Detroit!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a weekend in New Albany, Ohio, centered around the Courtyard Columbus New Albany. And let me tell you, it's going to be less "perfectly curated travel blog" and more "unfiltered thoughts fueled by lukewarm coffee and questionable life choices."
Friday - Arrival & The Great Hotel Room Debacle (And Pizza!)
Afternoon (2pm-ish): Arrive at CMH (John Glenn Columbus International Airport). Okay, first off, the airport? Surprisingly… pleasant. Clean. No epic lines. A good start! Grab an Uber – because, let's be honest, I'm not driving after a flight and an early start. The ride to New Albany felt longer than it should've, which made me wonder how much the price of being in town affected the ride.
3:30 PM - ish: Check-in at the Courtyard. (Cue the dramatic music). This is REALLY going to show how the hotel is as I had a weird moment at the desk. The place looked sparkling clean. The staff guy was nice enough, though I swear he was trying to upsell me on a package I clearly wasn't interested in. But the room… sigh. It was…fine. Standard Courtyard fare. Clean, comfortable enough. But THIS TIME, I'm the unlucky one to try to get the quiet room that they just don't have.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM The Great Pizza of Crisis: I hate to admit it, but the first thing I need to do is get something in my stomach. I can't go too long without food. I'm not saying it's a personality flaw. Okay, maybe I am. Anyway, I didn't realize how much I loved pizza until I had to search for it. I found it at a highly-rated place nearby. After that pizza, I felt good enough to head straight back to the hotel.
Evening (After Pizza Trauma): Because of my long flight and the hotel, I was done with socializing. I'm a simple kind of person. I threw on some comfy clothes, grabbed a book and just laid down. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Saturday - Exploration and Existential Dread (Plus, Coffee!)
Morning (8:00 AM): Okay, now for the morning after. I need some real coffee. The hotel coffee machine, bless its little plastic heart, is the watery, anemic stuff that makes me question all life choices. I'm hitting up the coffee shop across the street from a local shop. Because how can I face the world without a good strong cup of something? And a pastry, naturally. Don't judge. This place was pretty great, and the pastry was actually pretty good. I'm now actually ready to do something, maybe.
Morning (9:30 - 12:00 PM): A quick trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Okay, this wasn't on the original plan. But I heard good things and I'm here, so why not? And it was worth it! I'm a sucker for the sea lions. I spent way too long watching them. And the polar bears! They're majestic. (Yes, I used "majestic." Leave me alone.) I was actually having fun, which is alarming in itself. And then the little kid next to me started asking these ridiculously adorable questions about how the sea lions…you know what? It's a zoo. It's great. Go.
Lunch (12:30 PM): Back in New Albany, I grabbed a sandwich. Pretty decent. Mostly just needed to refuel. I'm not built for a zoo.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Back at the hotel. I'd planned to do something "cultural," like, I don't know, visit a museum. But honestly? The thought of interacting with more people and putting on real clothes again was…exhausting. And then, and I'm not proud of this at all, I just had a nap. A long one. I woke up feeling… strangely refreshed.
Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner. Found a restaurant. Meh. Food was passable. The ambiance was… generic. My internal monologue was already planning my escape, wondering how soon I could go back to the quiet of my hotel room.
Sunday - Departure & Disappointments (and the road ahead)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast. Hotel's offering, which isn't great. I should have gone to the coffee shop again. Regret.
- Morning (10:00 AM): I was supposed to check out. I delayed. I lingered. I'm not sure what I was trying to avoid - the real world? My life? Who knows.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Head to CMH. Goodbye, Ohio. Did I have a monumental, life-altering experience? No. Did I have a good weekend? Maybe. Did I have a weekend? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably. Because, you know, sometimes you just need to escape, eat pizza, and nap. And maybe, just maybe, find a decent cup of coffee.
So there you have it. My New Albany adventure. Flawed, imperfect, and utterly, wonderfully human. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go book another trip. And I'm already planning where to grab the pizza. Priorities, people. Priorities.
Santa Ana Courtyard Escape: Orange County Luxury Awaits!
Okay, so "Luxury" in New Albany… What's the REAL deal?
Alright, let's be honest. "Luxury" in New Albany, Ohio? It's… *relative*. Think less “Emirates First Class” and more “Upgraded Hampton Inn with a slightly fancier breakfast spread.” I went in expecting gold-plated toilet seats (okay, maybe I was exaggerating), and I got… a well-appointed Courtyard. Which, in my book, is still leagues better than that motel I stayed in once that had a *questionable* odor. (Shudders.) It's about the experience, right? And that’s where this gets interesting… or, you know, *my* interesting, depending on the day.
Does the Courtyard actually *feel* like an "Escape"?
Escape? Hmm. That's ambitious. It's a *getaway*. A pause button from the daily grind. I went during a particularly… *challenging* week. My dog had decided to develop a sudden (and expensive!) allergy, my inbox was a festering swamp of emails, and my partner had started leaving his socks precisely *three inches* from the hamper. So, yes. It was an escape. The crisp white sheets alone were enough to make me breathe a sigh of relief. I even (briefly) forgot about the sock situation. But real escape? Nah. It’s a very pleasant *detour*. You’re still going to return to reality, just… better rested.
The Pool! Everyone talks about the pool. What's the verdict?
The pool… ah, the pool. Okay, listen. I'm a pool person. I crave the chlorine-tinged air, the gentle lapping of the water, the slight sunburn. This pool? It was… fine. Clean. Not too crowded (thank goodness!). But the *vibe*... was a bit lacking. Like, I wanted a poolside cocktail, you know? A ridiculously fruity, umbrella-festooned concoction that screamed "VACATION!" Instead, I got pre-packaged snacks and a questionable vending machine (I *did not* partake). Maybe I’m being overly critical. Maybe I'd had too much coffee that morning. But here's the truth: I just wanted a damn daiquiri. And a pool that felt like more than just a concrete rectangle.
The "Local Experiences." What's actually worth doing?
Right, the *experiences*. They promise you'll be *immersed* in the local culture. Okay, so, I went to the shops. (Because food, I'm always hungry.) There was this bakery with these *unbelievably* delicious croissants. Seriously, they practically melted in my mouth. Worth it? ABSOLUTELY. (Do yourself a favor and find it.) I even bought extra for the road. (Don't judge me!) Beyond that? Well, I saw some pretty houses. New Albany is very… picturesque. Very… suburban. I went to the park, which was nice for a stroll. But "life-changing experience"? Probably not. The croissants, however… Those were *transcendent*. Maybe that's what I did. Just bought more croissants and ate them. I also drove around for an hour convinced I was going to get lost.
Let's talk about the food. The breakfast buffet-- what's good, what's… less good?
The breakfast buffet. Ah, the culinary battleground of weary travelers. Okay, the coffee was passable. Which is a win in my book, considering the previous day’s espresso disaster. The scrambled eggs? Standard hotel fare. Fine, nothing to write home about. They had little waffles, and a kid (bless his heart) was hogging the waffle machine. (I almost asked him to share. But I’m a people pleaser.) Toast? Always a safe bet. The fruit was… *okay*. (Why is hotel fruit always slightly sad?) The best part? The potential for unlimited bagels. (I may have indulged.) So, it’s the buffet of champions. You're not going to be blown away, but you won't starve. Maybe bring your own avocado. (Just a thought.)
Okay, be honest: What was the *worst* part of the experience?
The worst part? Hmm… Okay, picture this: It’s a Saturday night. I’m trying to finally unwind after a day of walking (and croissant consumption!). I was halfway through a bubble bath, about to crack open a new novel, when… the fire alarm. Yes, the dreaded fire alarm. (It turned out to be a false alarm, thankfully. But that panic! My heart! My book!) It was about 10 minutes of standing outside in my robe, people milling about, looking confused, and me just muttering about how I just wanted to take a shower. The sheer interruption of my relaxation… My whole bubble of peace… popped. It wasn't the hotel's fault, of course. But it definitely dampened the mood… (And now, I'm slightly paranoid about fire alarms.)
Alright, so… would you go back?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. It was a comfortable stay. I mean, it was fine. I mean, I'd like a more *exciting* hotel, please and thankyou. The staff was nice. The bed was comfy. And those croissants… (I'm still dreaming of them, okay?) It's not a five-star, life-altering adventure. But it's a solid place to unwind, recharge, and, you know, escape the relentless barrage of emails (even if it’s just for a little while). And sometimes, that's worth more than gold-plated toilet seats. Plus, I know where the good bakery is now.
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