During the holiday season, my family and I flew with our Air Miles from Montreal to Miami to escape the cold. One day we were driving through the Laurentian Park in my home region at -19C and the next day we were poolside in Key Largo at +27C. Thanks to our points!
The price for a standard room at this Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo hotel this late in the year is very high. Paying more than 500$USD for this room seems indecent but this is the usual price in the area, on this last weekend of the year.
We could also have chosen other Marriott hotels nearby, such as the Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort at 60,000 points/night (or around $700USD/night) or the Playa Largo Resort & Spa – Autograph Collection to 70,000 points/night (minimum $950USD/night plus $39USD resort fee).
But since we were only visiting, we preferred to take the least expensive in points and so paid for our room using 40,000 Marriott points (high season), points we earned in part with the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card.
The Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo hotel is conveniently located and has many amenities.
At the entrance, the reception was well decorated for the holidays.
As a Platinum member, we got a welcome gift:
We really appreciated the coupons because usually Platinum and + members only get a $10USD discount on food and drinks at Courtyard Bistros.
In addition, cookies are available for everyone at the reception.
We got an upgrade to the 3rd and top floor for a room with 2 queen beds, with a view of the marina.
The bathroom was standard but the bath looked a bit used.
We like the concept of 2 bathroom sinks in 2 separate rooms, but the light switch is on the outside. There is always a little comedian in the family who turns off the light when someone is inside with the door closed!
The view of the marina was beautiful!
The Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo hotel has an agreement with the Holiday Inn next door as well as the Marina Del Mar Resort & Marina, so guests can take advantage of each other’s pools. You just have to show the bracelet given to you when you checked in to be entitled to it (although nobody asked us).
The pool at the Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo was nice and there was a hot tub as well, set further back.
However, the kids preferred the one at the Holiday Inn, because of the “cool” waterfall. There was another pool on the premises, right next to a Tiki bar.
Regarding the pool at Marina Del Mar, it was nothing special but it was the largest of the 3 pools available.
This Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo hotel also has a very small gym, with a view of the marina.
Our room was dated (especially seeing the balcony and the bathroom), but it was very clean. The Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo hotel is very conveniently located in Key Largo and offers many amenities, which we really appreciated.
Customer service was excellent, there was no resort fee and parking was free.
A boardwalk around the marina allows us to eat at the excellent Skipper’s Dockside restaurant, have access to the other pools, see the different boats to book a deep sea escapade and walk around.
Now, to our final destination: Key West!
Savings are here: