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!
Relax, have a beer and wait for friends.
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is to read and people watch.
Check in. Grab a soda and watch the people.
My favorite thing to do in the lobby is grab a drink before heading out to dinner.
People watch!
My favorite thing to do in the lobby is to grab a beer and relax on a couch while using the wifi.
People watching in a hotel lobby is always the best!
Hang with a drink, iPad, and friends.
I’ll go for people watch… generally don’t hang out in the lobbies all that much 🙂
People watch!
I like to relax and people watch while having a drink.
I’ve had some of my best business meetings in hotel lobbies.
Check out the display racks for coupons to local sights!
Reading a magazine or newspaper while enjoying the ambiance of folks coming and going!
I enjoy loitering in lobbies.
People Watch!
Definitely people watch while using free wifi.
Hang out and grab a drink
Wifi
Like others, I people watch — BUT I try to make up back-stories for why people are here at the hotel — who is travelling on vacation with their families, who is a business traveller (what kind of business? how long are they staying? what is their job description?), who is an out-of-town student, etc.
My favorite thing is to ask for the complimentary toothpaste and shaver!!! The staff is always so nice to give it!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
My favorite thing to do is people watch and watch sports if my favorite team is playing. Instant bond across all demographics!
Read the paper and people-watch.
People watch and sit at the bar.
I am traveling on business and actually hung out in a hotel lobby today at Aloft Ashburn. My favorite thing to do was play all the games and puzzles!
Besides waiting? Just watching people come and go.
Waiting for my pre-dawn shuttle ride to the airport!
Eat breakfast.
I like to people watch!
People watch!! For sure!
wifi all the way
Coffee/wifi
My favorite thing to do in a lobby is to grab some coffee and catch up on emails while people watching.
Viewing boarding area blogs with wifi
I don’t have any favorite thing,
Wi-fi, people watch and try and figure out who’s happy and who’s not.
Coffee and people watch!
Have a quiet cup of coffee while reading the paper.
Have a drink and people watch.
Order a glass of wine and catch up with email and Facebook on my Blackberry while I wait for my coworkers to head out to dinner….sometimes we never leave the Courtyard!?!? 🙂
The favorite thing for me would be wi-fi…
I’m with jackie above, wi0fi in the lobby usually with a drink!
Relax with a Johnny Black in hand.
Surfing the web
People watch and relax.
Toss up between people watch and using wifi, often I do both.
Check in for a great night sleep!
People watch and read the paper if there is not much action
Knit – actually I love to knit anywhere.
Check in to the hotel:-)