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!
I like to people watch and surf with the wi-fi.
Coffee, Cookies and people watch 🙂
Enjoy a cup of coffee and sit back and watch the people
Enjoy a beer or wine, chit chat with friends and surf the wi-fi because it is free in most lobbies.
– naroowal
People watching is the best!
Have a drink and check email.
Grab a drink and use the free wifi!
My favorite thing to do is just to pass through it on my way outside or to my room.
Drink coffee and get to some e-mails.
I usually try to get work done in the lobby if I’m traveling with the family. It’s a little quieter down there than in the room with kiddos!
My favorite thing is to people watch while looking at the stack of tourist brochures I grabbed on my way in. I can’t help it, I LOVE looking at all the kitschy options and figuring out if I can fit something outlandish into my trip!
My favorite thing to do is to grab a drink at the bar while waiting.
My favorite thing to do in the lobby is people watch while I read with a drink in the other hand
People watch!
Breathe deeply and relax because I am on my way to my room and getting out of the hub-bub of a business trip or getting ready to rest after a long day of sight-seeing.
People watch, no question.
Usually waiting on friends so use wifi and people watch
I love to get my morning coffee and sit and relax while people watching. Great way to start the day!
Use free internet!
Read and people watch–preferably by a fireplace. Delicious!
My favorite thing is to eat breakfast.
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is people watch.
People watch of course! 🙂
My favorite thing to do in a hotel lobby is have a cocktail, people watch, and catch up on the latest scores or current game!
Eat breakfast!
Have a drink, of course. But typically, I am there working as I find I’m more productive in the lobby than in my room. I stayed at an updated Courtyard in Spokane and liked it.
People watch!
People Watch!
Favorite thing? Finding out about an upgraded room 🙂
Definitely People Watching. There is , at times, more drama at the Hotel lobby than my workplace! And my workplace is soap opera.
I love to meet friends in the lobby and just hang out, especially when the manager is having a free drinks wine-and-cheese reception. Good people watching!
reading paper
I like to people watch when not using the free internet.
I love to get a good cup of tea and relax by watching the people.
People watch!
Read the paper.
Grab a drink at the bar while doing a little email or reading a trashy book on my Kindle.
Drink my coffee
HOTEL LOBBY? Fave thing is walking through on my way to head home!! thanks RW, you rock.
Sit with the newspaper, a journal to write in, and let myself be distracted by the people watching. They can arouse some interesting thoughts to go into the journal. Also, get local restaurant recommendations from staff.
Drink a beer and people watch
People watching on the way in, thinking about home on the way out.
I love to grab some coffee and just use the laptop!! It’s nice to have another space to get some work done.
Coffee and reading.
Wifi + Ipad + Beer = 🙂
When I sit in the lobby I generally try to organize or summarize my day. Preferably with a cup of great tea, and of course with the obligatory people watching and wondering what, who and where they are going.
I like to read the paper and drink free coffee.
free coffee!
People watching. Perhaps with a drink or a coffee to sip, as well.
Surf the internet while munching cookies