Karissa Depew

Review of Courtyard by Marriott Patong B...

I was shocked when experiencing this resort first ...

I was shocked when experiencing this resort first hand, because my feelings were not close to all the glowing reviews I read before reserving my stay.

Pros:
- rooms are good size and clean
- facilities in general are beautiful and well maintained
- staff are overall friendly
- though at capacity, does not feel crowded

Cons:
- the food is mediocre at best, which is very disappointing considering the cost is very high. I stay in Marriott's that have free lounge food that is better than the $$$ food at this resort. Some food was so horrible I could not eat and just went to bed hungry
- service in the restaurants is slow, painfully, so don't arrive hungry
- booking tours through concierge is very expensive, I was told because it was high quality, but they are not, they did not put us on a smaller tour group like promised and the tour skipped many activities
-shuttle does not always leave in time, so you can end up waiting 10 mins in hot shuttle
- Check In is cumbersome, they do not provide you with towels and refreshments until after you pay (all other resorts give this to you as you first enter and greet you)

Other comments:
- Some restaurants have free water and others do not, but they do not tell you this, you only find out after paying for water
- there's not any better treatment for being Marriott Platinum, other than small discount at restaurants
- shuttle does not run frequently enough and to and from trips must be booked hours in advanced, so you'll end up getting a taxi several times

Overall, I would not suggest booking this hotel. Even if you save money booking with points, you'll blow all your money on the bad food and nickel and diming they do to you.