Downtown SLC Escape: Courtyard's Unbeatable City Views!
Downtown SLC Escape: Courtyard's Unbeatable City Views! - A Review That's Actually Real
Okay, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some lukewarm coffee) on the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Salt Lake City. I've stayed in enough cookie-cutter hotels to know the drill: predictable, sterile, and about as memorable as a beige sock. This one? Well, it's got its quirks, that's for sure. And the views… chef's kiss. Let's dive in, shall we?
Metadata/SEO Stuff First (Gotta Keep the Robots Happy!):
- Keywords: Salt Lake City Hotel, Downtown SLC, Courtyard Marriott, City Views, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Reviews, Hotel Review, SLC Accommodation, Utah Hotels.
- Focus: A detailed, honest, and opinionated review focusing on the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Salt Lake City, highlighting both positive and negative aspects, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, and the overall experience.
Alright, Let's Get Real:
Accessibility: I'm gonna start here 'cause it's important. The good news? They make a serious effort. Wheelchair accessible is advertised, and from what I saw, it's legit. The lobby, common areas, and elevator access are good. They even have facilities for disabled guests, I didn't personally test the rooms specifically, but it seems like they've put some thought into it. The Elevator is spacious, and I saw no issues navigating the main areas. That said, it's always a good idea to call ahead and clarify your specific needs. (That's my disclaimer because, let's be honest, nobody's perfect)
Cleanliness and Safety – The New Normal (and Honestly, I’m Obsessed!):
Listen, 2024 has changed things, hasn't it? I'm practically inspecting everything, and they seem to have taken it seriously. They had Sanitized kitchen and tableware items – I peeked, everything looked shiny. The Daily disinfection in common areas was noticeable. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice nod to personal preference. The Staff trained in safety protocol. I was a bit anxious on arrival, waiting to be checked in, but one by one the guest were able to check-in and out smoothly. The lobby seemed safe, the hotel was very busy, but staff seemed very professional! The Anti-viral cleaning products definitely made me feel safer. They also had Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a huge plus! They even had a First aid kit, a small touch with a big impact! There were Smoke alarms, and the fire extinguisher were everywhere. Overall, I felt pretty secure.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Buffet Bliss (or Lack Thereof!):
Okay, food. This is where things get a little… interesting. The main restaurant (I forget the name - it was one of those generic hotel names) offered a Breakfast [buffet], and, well, it was… adequate. Standard hotel fare: eggs, bacon, some sad-looking fruit. I'm not gonna lie, I've had better. However, it was clean and well-presented, and the Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. Alternative meal arrangement was possible, they had a separate menu. They also had a Poolside bar – good, because after hitting up their awesome Swimming pool (more on that later), I needed a margarita! There's also a Coffee shop, which is clutch for that pre-sightseeing caffeine hit (though I'm pretty sure it's the same coffee as the restaurant). The Snack bar was a lifesaver when I was feeling peckish. I didn't try the Asian cuisine (I'm a creature of habit, and sushi in a hotel often worries me), but they definitely had it; other Restaurants seemed good, the Happy hour was a blast, and there was also a Desserts in restaurant section!.
Things to Do – The Views, the Views, the Views! (And a Little Spa Action):
Okay, the Swimming pool [outdoor]… amazing. The view from the pool is absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset. The whole Downtown SLC skyline stretches out before you. It's… breathtaking. They seem to have a Pool with view, and I could not disagree more! If you get a chance to book a room with a view of the city, do it. You won't regret it. The Sauna and Spa were a bonus. I got a Massage, and it was pretty darn good. I didn't get all the fanciness of the Body scrub or Body wrap, but I would've loved to! They also have a Gym/fitness area which i didn't utilize. Then there are all the things to do in the area. Lots of sightseeing, events, places to eat, and other things to explore!
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things… and the Big Ones:
The Doorman, Concierge, and Front desk [24-hour] were super helpful. They also had the Daily housekeeping, which was greatly appreciated. The Laundry service was a life-saver after I spilled something on my favorite shirt (don't ask!). I made a point of using the Cash withdrawal service! A Convenience store is in the lobby, a good place to grab basics, and the Air conditioning in public area was awesome to have on a sticky day. Of course, there's the standard stuff you need in 2024: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms (yessss!), Air conditioning, a Mini bar, a Refrigerator, and a Coffee/tea maker. They also offer the Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
Rooms – Cozy… with a View, of Course:
The rooms are well-appointed, if a bit on the cookie cutter side. They've got the essentials: a Desk, a comfy Bed, a TV with Satellite/cable channels. The Blackout curtains are clutch for sleeping in. They even had Bathrobes and Slippers – a nice touch of luxury. The Shower was good. No complaints. The Non-smoking rooms are a plus. The Alarm clock was easy to use. The Ironing facilities were helpful. All in all, pretty damn good.
What Could Be Better:
- The breakfast buffet could be a little less… generic. More fresh fruit, maybe? Less sad-looking eggs?
- The elevators can get a bit crowded during peak times.
The Final Verdict:
Look, the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown SLC isn't perfect. But it's a solid choice. The views alone are worth the price of admission. The accessibility is a huge win. The staff are friendly and helpful. And the cleanliness standards impressed me. Also, I felt safe there. I'd stay again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Yes! Definitely! Just, you know, maybe pack a granola bar for breakfast. And book that city-view room. You won't regret it.
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Alright, buckle up, Buttercups! We're plunging headfirst into a whirlwind adventure in the glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly real world of my Courtyard Salt Lake City Downtown escapade. Prepare for a journey that's less "perfectly curated Insta-story" and more "me stumbling through life with a suitcase and a questionable sense of direction."
Day 1: Arrival and the (Slightly Disappointing) Coffee Conspiracy
- 1:00 PM: Land in Salt Lake City. The airport? Let's just say it's… functional. Efficient, even. But don’t expect any Instagrammable moments just yet. Grabbed my luggage, which, thankfully, survived the flight – small victory!
- 2:00 PM: Check into the Courtyard. Lobby is… well, a lobby. Clean, predictable, and exactly what you expect. The room? Standard hotel room. The kind where you immediately start assessing the mattress situation. (It passed. For now.)
- 2:30 PM: The Great Coffee Quest begins. I'm a caffeine fiend, okay? I'm on a mission. The hotel coffee situation… sigh. Let's just say it tastes like regret infused with lukewarm despair. Walked four blocks to find something that resembled actual coffee. Success! Found a local place with a hipster vibe and actually good stuff.
- 3:00 PM: Stumbled upon the Temple Square. The whole place is… let's say it's definitely a unique experience. The architecture is beautiful, mind you. But there's also a lot of… focus. Got a bit of a wander and took some pictures. The whole thing left me feeling… a little lost, emotionally, to be honest.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a random restaurant. Let's be honest, sometimes you just point at something on the menu and hope for the best. It was… mediocre. A perfectly ordinary meal. Nothing to write home about, except that I'm writing about it right now. The server was nice though; that always makes a difference.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Ordered room service (pizza, because, you know, travel) and started plotting my next caffeine hit. (The hotel coffee is still not acceptable. Seriously.)
Day 2: A Mountain of Misunderstandings and Monumental Dessert
- 8:00 AM: Okay, coffee situation resolved. Found a fantastic cafe that's now my new best friend. It's a beautiful thing when you find a place like that and the people who work there are happy to serve people like me.
- 9:00 AM: The Big Mountain Excursion. I decided to hike – or so I thought. Turns out, I took the wrong trail. It was supposed to be moderate. It was… an adventure. A steep, rocky, "am I going to die alone in the Utah mountains?" kind of adventure. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. The near-death experience? Let's just say it added a layer of intensity to my appreciation for a good cup of coffee.
- 12:00 PM: Reached the top and was too proud to admit to anyone that I almost gave up. And the journey down was almost worse! Found myself in a dazed state.
- 1:00 PM: Back in the city, I was in a sugar coma.
- 2:00 PM: Found a place for lunch that did not disappoint. Ordered some tacos. The best tacos I've ever tasted!
- 4:00 PM: After the mountain hike, and after feeling absolutely defeated, I decided I needed a dose of "happy." Decided to head to a local place. A cute dessert place… with amazing sundaes. This place was the absolute highlight of the entire trip! Seriously, they should give out medals for this place!!!
- 7:00 PM: Bedtime. Early. Absolutely no regrets.
Day 3: The Unexpected Museum and a Farewell Feast of Food
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the fantastic coffee shop again.
- 10:00 AM: The Unexpected Art Museum (or whatever it's called). The most interesting museum I've been to in a long time. I'm not even big on museums, but this was brilliant, and it held my attention the whole time.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a place from the night before (I might as well be a local).
- 2:00 PM: Shopped around.
- 4:00 PM: Packing. The dreaded part. Somehow, I always accumulate a mountain of clothes and souvenirs.
- 6:00 PM: Farewell dinner. Found a delightful place.
- 8:00 PM: Final reflection. I really enjoyed the city, and have to say goodbye.
Day 4: Departure and the lingering taste of…adventure?
- 7:00 AM: Check out from the Courtyard. The front desk person was surprisingly cheerful. Maybe they're fueled by good coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Airport. Security. The usual chaos, but this time, with a newfound appreciation for the simple things, like a comfortable mattress and a decent cup of coffee.
- 10:00 AM: Flight home.
- As I look back: Salt Lake City: It wasn't perfect, it wasn't always easy, and it was sometimes a little… confusing. But it was real. And it left me with a funny story to tell, a renewed love for good coffee, and a slightly sore set of legs. And that, my friends, is a successful trip in my book!
Downtown SLC Escape: Courtyard's Unbeatable City Views! ...Or Is It? (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, the "unbeatable city views"... is that just marketing hype? Because I've seen some *questionable* "city views" in my time.
Alright, alright, let's get real. The *view* at the Courtyard downtown... it's a mixed bag, okay? My *first* thought, stumbling in after a delayed flight and a three-hour drive that felt like an eternity, was: "Please, let this actually *be* a view, not just a concrete jungle." And initially… yeah, maybe a little hype-y. Looked like the back of a parking garage. BUT! Head up to the higher floors – and I HIGHLY suggest requesting one – and BAM. You get this sweeping vista that actually *does* breathe some life into the concrete. Seeing those mountains in the distance, especially at sunrise or sunset, actually made me forget I was stressed from driving. So…yes and no? Depend how you look at it and what perspective you have.
Seriously, what's the *best* time to soak in the view? Sunrise? Sunset? Does it actually matter?
Dude, *sunset*. Absolutely, unequivocally sunset. Listen, I am not generally a sunrise person. I’m more of a 'roll-out-of-bed-and-immediately-regret-it' type. But one morning I was up early and the mountains were dusted with pink, the sun peeking over the rooftops, and I almost teared up. Almost! But the SUNSETS... the oranges, the purples, the way the city lights start to sparkle… it's a whole *mood*. You know, the kind of mood that makes you forget you're wearing the same travel sweats for the last 48 hours. Just go, grab a cheap bottle of wine (or two...it's been a hard day okay?) and just *breathe*. *That* is the money shot.
Are the rooms actually *nice*? Because hotel rooms can go one of two ways: prison cell or luxury suite. No in between.
Okay, let's be honest, the rooms themselves aren't *luxury suite* level. Think…reliable. Clean. Functional. I mean, the bed was comfy enough after a long flight. There's a decent-sized TV. The bathroom's got the basics – you know, the kind of stuff that makes you feel human again, like decent shower pressure. They aren't the *highlight* (the view is, duh!), but they've got the job done. I'd say, if you're looking for true luxury, maybe this isn't your place. If you're looking for a place to crash that's clean and well-located, go for it. However, there was *one thing*...The air conditioning was a tad temperamental. One moment it was arctic blast, the next, I thought I was in a sauna. Minor quibble, but a quibble nonetheless.
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually *downtown* downtown, or is it like, a strategically placed "almost" downtown?
Oh, it’s *downtown* downtown, alright. Literally. You can walk to things! I'm a walker, so this was a BIG plus. Temple Square? A quick hop, skip, and a jump. Restaurants? Plenty within a reasonable radius. I mean, I did try to walk from the hotel to a brunch spot, and I made it but I kinda missed my bus stop. So good location, just prepare for the walking.
Breakfast. Is it the sad, continental breakfast of lukewarm scrambled eggs and stale pastries, or is there hope?
Ugh, breakfast. That question really gets to me, because I'm a breakfast person. And in all honesty…it's a *little* on the continental side. Okay, it’s a lot continental. There's the usual suspects: toast, cereal, some sad fruit. There were waffles, so bonus points for that. I mean, it's *fine* if you just need something to get you going, but don't get your hopes up for a brunch experience. My advice? Order a coffee and grab a breakfast burrito. I made that choice the second morning, and I had not a lick of regret, it was a joy.
What about parking? Because downtown parking is often a soul-crushing experience.
Alright, this is valid concern. Parking in downtown SLC is...a *challenge*. The Courtyard *does* have parking, which is a huge relief. But it's not free! And it can get… expensive. Best bet? Factor that cost into your budget. There are public transportation options also, but downtown parking sucks. I ended up walking more times than not, just to avoid it.
I'm a solo traveler. Any thoughts? Or is this more for a group trip or something?
I went solo, and honestly? It was perfect. The room was comfy, the view was stunning and I was able to take a moment to just breath! The location, as I said earlier, made it easy to wander around and feel safe. I actually liked that the breakfast was kinda meh. It made me get out there and actually explore. So yeah, a solo trip here is totally doable. And honestly, maybe even better. You don't have to share the view!
Would you *actually* recommend it? Be honest!
Look, it's not perfect. The breakfast could be better, the AC could be more reliable, and the parking stings. But…*yes*. I would recommend it. The view, especially at sunset, is something special. The location is fantastic. The beds are comfortable. It's a solid, reliable option that's clean, functional and gets you right in the heart of things. If you're looking for a comfortable basecamp with a killer view, this is definitely worth considering. Just...book a higher floor and maybe bring your own breakfast and ear plugs.
Okay, last question. Anything *really* memorable happen? Like, a "remember that time at the Courtyard…" moment?
Oh, absolutely! Okay so, it was about 2 AM. I was half-asleep, jet-lagged, when I got hit with a sudden craving for…peanut butter. Not just *any* peanut butter, but *the* peanut butter. The kind that brings you back to childhood. So, I got up, threw on some sweats, and tried to sneak out. Guess what? I'd locked myself out! There I was, standing in the hallway, half-awake, in travel sweats, with a serious PB&J craving. I'm pretty sure I woke up half the floor trying to get back in, fumbling with my keycard in the dim lighting. So, yeah, "remember that time at the Courtyard when I locked myself out in the middle of the night while jonesing for peanut butter"? That's *definitely* aGlobetrotter Hotels
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