This time we chose the Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport. Yes, the fact that the pool is accessible in this COVID context influenced our choice and yet … (I’ll tell you more).
The Courtyard Montreal Airport and its sister hotel, the Residence Inn Montreal Airport, offer an interesting option for travellers who wish to leave their cars “at the airport” during their vacation. Both offer the option to stay overnight and leave the car in the parking lot for up to 14 days (this option must be selected when booking the room). A free shuttle bus runs between the airport and both hotels. Both hotels share common areas such as: the swimming pool, the fitness center, the zen area, the dining rooms, the event rooms… The Courtyard targets more “short term” stays with more conventional rooms, while the Residence Inn targets more long term stays, with a larger room size to accommodate the brand’s signature kitchenette area.
The Courtyard Montreal Airport and its sister hotel, the Residence Inn Montreal Airport, offer an interesting option for travellers who wish to leave their cars “at the airport” during their vacation. Both offer the option to stay overnight and leave the car in the parking lot for up to 14 days (this option must be selected when booking the room). A free shuttle bus runs between the airport and both hotels.
Both hotels share common areas such as: the swimming pool, the fitness center, the zen area, the dining rooms, the event rooms…
The Courtyard targets more “short term” stays with more conventional rooms, while the Residence Inn targets more long term stays, with a larger room size to accommodate the brand’s signature kitchenette area.
The Courtyard chain was created by Marriott in the early 1980s to cater to a clientele looking for options in a slightly more eccentric area. Their target was to compete directly with Holiday Inns. Courtyard hotels have something different: a pool on the property. There are currently approximately 1,250 Courtyard locations worldwide. These are properties in the middle segment of the hospitality sector (Bonvoy’s Select category).
The Residence Inn chain dates back to the mid-1970s. Residence Inns use the slogan “It’s not a room. It’s a Residence”, clearly positioning them for longer stays (Longer stays category at Bonvoy). Usually the rooms are larger to accommodate a full kitchenette area and are also designed in a “suite” style. These hotels are also very often available with a swimming pool on site.
Remember that we visited this hotel during the COVID period.
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This Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport hotel is located 8km from Montreal International Airport. However, it offers a free shuttle service to/from the airport on request:
Unfortunately, in the context of COVID, the shuttle service is temporarily suspended.
The hotel is in a commercial area. There is not much to do. The main reason for this hotel is its relative proximity to the Montreal International Airport.
I took the opportunity to go for my morning run in the area and I particularly enjoyed the small wooded area of Marcel-Laurin Park.
The reception is located directly in the right corner of the large entrance hall. Because of COVID, the employees are protected by a huge plexiglass.
Having confirmed our check-in through chat, we were almost immediately recognized by the staff. All the rooms in this Courtyard are very similar in size (the difference being the number of beds), so there is no need to ask for an upgrade. Our mobile room key was already activated, so it was a very quick trip to the reception on arrival.
Otherwise, there is a very large restaurant in the lobby (closed due to COVID), a lounge with seating (also closed) and The Market offering the usual groceries as well as some electronic items. A microwave is also available for everyone in The Market.
As a sign that we are close to the airport, there is a luggage room and a luggage scale.
Finally, access to the conference rooms is also directly on the lobby level.
The Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport hotel offers 4 types of rooms:
So our room was a king size bed, sofa bed type room. We had room 629 located on the top floor of the hotel. Unfortunately, none of the rooms have balconies.
Please note that the rooms located on the north side (odd numbers) have a window that opens, which is not the case for the rooms on the south side (even numbers) because they are along the Félix-Leclerc highway (therefore noisier). Having said that, we are still 8 km from the airport in a commercial area. The view is therefore not very interesting.
The floor plan shows both Courtyard and Residence Inn rooms, as the two sister hotels are connected on all floors.
The room has a rather old-fashioned look with its wall-to-wall carpet and wallpaper. The dark coloured furniture and the navy blue sofa bed give the room a rather dark look. Large in spite of everything, the room is 30 square meters.
To the right of the bedroom entrance is the bathroom.
Between the bathroom and the rest of the room, there is a small space with a stone counter to accommodate the coffee machine and the mini-fridge.
A large wardrobe and a three-drawer cabinet are the main storage spaces.
The sofa bed is more modern with its rounded shape. There is a footstool to stretch your legs. A small nesting table can be placed under the sofa to make it easier to work, eat or drink.
Our room has a king size bed. The large headboard houses the sockets (electrical only) as well as 2 drawer shelves that act as bedside cabinets. Two bedside lamps provide additional lighting.
The office furniture is conventional, placed against the wall. On the other hand, since it’s made up of a nesting table, it can be pulled wherever you want in the room, for those for example who could prefer to work in front of the window. The power outlets are conventional (electrical only, no USB).
The television is on the desk. This limits the working space. Furthermore, when watching television from the bed, it is at a 45-degree angle rather than facing the bed.
The bathroom has a standard toilet, a sink, a mirror and a bath-shower.
Contrary to some hotels that follow the ecological approach regarding beauty products containers (shampoo, conditioner, liquid body soap), this hotel has individual containers.
This room is above all functional. Rather large, it allows you to spend a “relaxing” night before a trip or to work in peace while attending a conference or convention.
A very large outdoor parking lot is available and free. In addition, three charging stations for electric cars are also available.
The hotel also offers a package deal that includes parking during the trip as well as the airport shuttle.
Unfortunately, during COVID, breakfasts are not offered and the dining room is not available. It’s a shame because the dining room is bright and inviting and having a meal there should be enjoyable.
Although we called the day before to make sure the indoor pool was open during the COVID season, upon arrival we were informed that unfortunately the pool heating system had failed and the pool was closed! Really bad luck because Véro wanted to do a few laps.
The hotel staff felt sorry for us and they offered us 5,000 points in compensation to our Marriott Bonvoy account. Good! And I wasn’t able to take pictures of the pool for this article.
Here is a picture from the hotel’s website.
The Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport hotel has two fitness rooms:
I personally like the fact that there are two rooms because if you just want to stretch before or after a workout you can do it in a room isolated from the noise especially from the treadmills.
The YUL restaurant is closed due to COVID.
Business travellers can take advantage of over 498 m² of event space, ideal for a conference, car show or business meeting. At the time of our visit, there were 2 events in preparation (I passed by around 8AM before my morning run). Here are some examples of room layouts for conventions.
The general look of the reception of the sister hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott Montreal Airport, is very similar. Large hall with reception directly in front of the entrance, a very large restaurant (closed due to COVID), a lounge with armchairs (also closed).
The two hotels are connected on all floors and share several facilities (conference room, swimming pool, fitness room…). As mentioned above, Residence Inn rooms are usually larger to accommodate the kitchenette section.
We did not request a late departure for this stay. The check-out process is always very simple with Bonvoy and we have the option of receiving a copy of the invoice by email.
The Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport is truly a “functional” hotel. There is nothing special about it, even less so during COVID when breakfasts are not offered and there is no restaurant open on site.
We were hoping to enjoy the pool and its unexpected closure deprived us of the little aquatic relaxation we were anticipating for the evening or even early Saturday morning.
Savings are here:
