I’ve been active with the scientific organization the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) since I was in college. ASP is an educational & scientific organization that aims to understand, conserve, and inform about nonhuman primates. Each year, the ASP membership gathers to meet and discuss their latest research.
This year, the annual meeting was held just outside of Atlanta, in Decatur, Georgia. The conference hotel was the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory (could they include any other city names into the hotel?)
The Courtyard Marriott Downtown Decatur is a Marriott Rewards Category 4 hotel, requiring 20,000 points a night. The conference rate was pretty cheap at $139 a night, so I ended up paying cash instead of using points.
I stayed at a friend’s house the first night in Atlanta, so I drove to the hotel from there. The hotel is really only a 30-ish minute drive to/from the Atlanta airport, FYI. The outside of the hotel was pretty bland and the covered entryway was pretty awkward. I couldn’t tell if you could drive and park to check in or whatnot. Instead, I just parked in the attached garage.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur exterior
The hotel lobby was pretty impressive and modern. The check-in desks were right as you walked in.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur check-in desks
The lobby formed an atrium so interior rooms faced into the atrium. There were tons of seating areas and high-top tables with power outlets.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur lobby
Courtyard Marriott Decatur lobby
Courtyard Marriott Decatur lobby
Courtyard Marriott Decatur lobby
There was a business center with computers, printers, and a dedicated boarding pass kiosk.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur business center
There was no queue to check-in. The associate that checked me in was prompt, friendly, and processed everything quickly. He was able to quickly run a $100 deposit on my American Express card so I could take advantage of the current promotion AmEx was running ($20 back on $100 spent at Courtyard Marriott). He explained that the property has free wi-fi and the operating hours of the two on-property restaurants. Sadly, the lobby bar didn’t open until 5 p.m. each day.
I took the elevator to the 3rd floor to the assigned room, 305.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur room 305
It was located right around the corner from the elevators, and was a standard double queen room (I was sharing with a friend). Fortunately, it was an outward-facing room as colleagues mentioned that interior-facing rooms could hear all the noise in the atrium.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur hallway
Floorplan of the 3rd floor of the Courtyard Marriott Decatur
The room featured two queen-sized beds, small armchair, desk with chair, coffeemaker, mini-refrigerator, and flat screen TV. Pretty standard stuff.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
Courtyard Marriott Decatur standard double queen room
The bathroom was pretty standard, with a sink, tub/shower combo, and toilet.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur bathroom
Courtyard Marriott Decatur bathroom
The bathroom featured Paul Mitchell-branded toiletries.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur toiletries
On the whole I thought the room was just fine – nothing super special. The decor was a bit dated and the carpet had several stains. One nice little touch was that on each side of the bed were easily accessible electrical outlets that were within arm’s reach.
Just off the lobby on the ground floor (behind the business center) is an indoor pool.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur pool
On the other side of the lobby was the gym, which was nicely equipped and pretty spacious. It had glass windows looking into the lobby, so it everyone could see you working out.
Courtyard Marriott Decatur gym
Courtyard Marriott Decatur gym
Overall, the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory (man, that sure is a mouthful to say and type!) is a nice hotel. It is within walking distance of a bunch of cool shops and fabulous restaurants. I’m not sure if I’d stay here if visiting Atlanta for pleasure, but it worked great for a business event.
Have you stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory? If so, what was your experience?
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