Courtyard by Marriott has recently renovated their lobbies in a major way. More than just changing colors, the new lobbies are great places for getting work done or decompressing after getting the work done. They include a Bistro with casual fare, comfortable seating areas, lots of TVs (big and small), plus a giant touchscreen where travelers can look up weather, news, and local attractions. I had the opportunity to check one out in Nashville yesterday, and it is very nice. If I were them, I would throw a party too! My favorite part is the cozy breakfast nook that has a TV built into it. A great place to sit down, grab something to eat or a cup of coffee, keep an eye on the news, and get some work done.
The breakfast nook.
If you happen to be in the Baltimore, Houston, or Phoenix airports, check out the new “Lobby Zone” displays. Courtyard has rolled these out as a place for business travelers to sit down and escape the hectic crowds as they experience the new lobbies.
To celebrate the new and exciting Courtyard lobbies, we are doing a contest. Woo-hoo! You can win two nights in any Courtyard Marriott in the continental US. Simply write a comment answering the following: What is your favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby? We will draw a winner at random on November 21. As always, only one entry will be counted per person.
They are letting me stay in a Courtyard for a few nights in January, and I’m looking forward to some quality time in the new lobby! My favorite thing to do in a lobby is be around people while I work. Makes me feel not quite so isolated when traveling a lot. And if there are cookies, so much the better!
Good luck!
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby: have a drink while waiting for friends to gather for the night ahead!
Yep, cookies, beer & golf or football. Wait for friends!
I guess depends on which hotel I am at but grabbing a drink is probably what would be common across pretty much hotel I am at.
My fave lobby thing to do is people watch!
Use free internet
Sit at the bar and people watch.
the environment….
The airy feeling in the lobby
People watch!
People watch and look at the local flyers if on vacation.
I enjoy grabbing a drink and visiting with friends and exchanging travel stories.
Have a drink while people watching and surfing the internet.
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is people watching!
Use the free wifi and pretend I am working:-)
hello!!!! Did you know they have a Wii in there lobby of the Bangor Courtyard!! Grab a beer and run in place!!!
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is read a newspaper and drink coffee
Wait until check-in time!
Get drunk!
I enjoy talking and sharing with fellow travelers while sitting in hotel lobbies.
Check in!
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is read a newspaper and drink coffee and be among people.
Free Internet and People Watch!
Watch the other people
People watch!
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is to get a bite to eat and people-watch at the same time.
I like to relax and people watch while having a drink.
Impromptu gatherings with folks traveling from out of town.
Looking to my emails, if there is free Wi-fi..
I like to hang out in a cozy environment waiting for friends.
I like to work on the internet and people watch.
Hang out with strangers while working on my projects
I like to meet with friends & coworkers in the lobby. My room is for myself, so I’d rather congregate in the lobby.
People watch and just generally, sit back, relax and surf the internet.
Enjoy coffee and a newspaper
Surf the internet by the fireplace(if there is one)
Stayed at a Courtyard in San Diego with the new lobby. My favorite was grabbing a drink, but they had video games to play too! I think it’s only that property though.
Definitely people watch while I get some work done
Hunker down in a comfy seat with a drink and my tablet for a few hours of reading and people watching.
Wait and gather for friends so we can head out for a night on the town!
Sit down and browse the net and have few drinks.
people watch!
I’m usually only in the lobby while waiting for a shuttle — the more interesting the better
People watch and wait for shuttle.
Grabbing a quick coffee and people-watching.
My mind works a little like this; “I wonder what that person is doing here? Business? Pleasure? Where’s the cookies? Do they have breakfast….and where will THAT be? I wonder what mischief my 2 year old is up to? Wait…why did I come to the lobby? Crap, my room key, it’s on the table in my room. Where were those cookies again?”
So clearly. no. favorite.
Drink hot tea, surf internet, and maybe eavesdrop on interesting conversations!
play cards with my friends
Agree with many others – definitely people watching!
Meet friends and chat
Peruse the internet.