Aloft and Courtyard are two great hotel lines offered by Marriott. However, if you are a young-blood looking for a getaway tour, there’s nothing better than Aloft Hotels. Because it has a more modern and funky look and feel. On the other hand, a family man will hardly look past the awesome choices offered by Courtyard as it has better amenities to cater to a large group of people.
While the decision might seem easy at this moment, hold on to your horses as there’s more than meets the eye! So, follow along for the full feature on this extravaganza of Marriott hotels.
In-depth Comparison of Aloft and Courtyard Hotels
The differences between Aloft and Courtyard hotels might seem very subtle at first because of the shared DNA. However, once you look past the initial features, you’ll quickly understand they are not the same at all. Here’s a quick view of the main differences between these two hotels-
| Factors | Aloft | Courtyard |
| Location | 32 different countries/regions with more than 210+ different hotels | 60 different countries with 1000+ hotels |
| Room Type | Aloft suite, savvy suite, king room, standard room | Single room, double room, twin room, king room, queen room |
| Amenities | Fitness center, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly, coffee-tea room, free parking, mobility-accessible room | Fitness center, free Wi-Fi, coffee-tea room, mobility accessible room, Meeting event space, beauty shop, car rental |
| Dining Options | Breakfast corners, grab-and-go snacks, sports bar, coffee lounge | Bistro, casual restaurants, courtyard lounge, intercontinental cuisines |
| Meeting and Event Facilities | No meeting space is available | Big open spaces for meetings and events |
| Booking and Cancellation Policies | Quick booking option with one-day before cancellation policy | No advance is required with a two-day-before-cancellation policy |
| Accessibility and Transportation | Accessible with free parking | Accessible with good car rental service and complimentary parking |
| Discount Packages | Package deals for breakfast and free drinks in bars | Discounts on king/queen-sized rooms |
| Family-Friendly Features | Not ideal for families | Best for families |
| Price and Value | Mid-range to premium | Mid-range to premium |
Now, let’s go through all of these factors one by one to dig a bit further.
Location
Catering to the younguns, Aloft hotels are made to be enjoyed fully without any holdbacks. However, as the Aloft franchise is comparatively new to the market, it is still not available in some major countries and states.
On the other hand, Courtyard is available in 60+ different countries with more than 1000+ hotels in various regions. That’s definitely a highlight for any hotel franchise. So, the next time you’re visiting any urban area in your spare time, chances are you’ll find Courtyard Hotel.
Room types/Accommodations
Both Aloft and Courtyard offer multiple types of rooms and suites for all purposes. However, the rooms and layouts are more modern in Aloft Hotels compared to Courtyards’.
Furthermore, you won’t see any lack of amenities in Aloft such as free Wi-Fi, refrigerator, etc. Moreover, you get the option to avail tech-savvy items like mirror screens for ordering and whatnot!
Aloft Hotel US
The only downside is that single rooms are not spacious enough in some cases.
Courtyard Hotel Room L.A
If you care more about the space rather than the architecture, Courtyard is the better option. So, next time you know which hotel to choose for when you’re confused about double bed and queen bed hotels!
Amenities
Some of the common amenities offered by these Marriott Hotels are pools, fitness centers, spas, restaurants, bars, complimentary parking, mobility accessibility, high-speed internet, and more.
Aloft Hotel Fitness Center
What these hotels don’t share is car rental, on-site laundry, and beauty shops. In most Courtyard Hotels, all of the mentioned amenities are more or less given. However, Aloft compensates for those with a pet-friendly environment, a grab-n-go snacks bar, and tech-savvy equipment.
Dining Options
In terms of dining and food, both of these are good enough to get by. However, if you just want to dine in your hotel, then it’s better to go with Courtyard Hotels than Aloft Hotels as they offer multiple restaurants and bars on the premises.
Aloft Hotel Atlanta US
As Aloft Hotels are more young travelers friendly, they don’t really offer traditional restaurants in the hotels. That’s something any family should know about Aloft Hotels!
You can grab a quick bite from the breakfast lounge or the cafes. To get a proper meal, you need to rely on the restaurants located within walking distance of the hotels.
Meeting and Event Facilities
In this regard, the clear winner is Courtyard because only this franchise has the most versatile event places. You can arrange meetings, parties, and weddings in the open spaces offered by Courtyard.
Courtyard Meeting Space Nebraska
If you’re someone who badly needs the meeting space, I’m afraid, Aloft is surely out of the question.
Price and Value
When considering only the room prices, Aloft Hotel offers a more competitive package.
For example, in Sunnyvale, Aloft offers $308/night whereas Courtyard offers $313/night. On average, the hotels from Aloft are slightly affordable compared to Courtyard hotels. They also offer good breakfast and bar access packages.
However, you do need to remember that Courtyard provides better amenities and room facilities than Aloft.
Additionally, you can enjoy a relaxed stay with wider room space and better dining options in Courtyard in comparison to Aloft. While both of these hotels are nowhere near JW Marriott or Westin in quality, they offer good value considering the price.
Booking and Cancellation Policies
As both of these are under the same hotel policies of Marriott, there are not many differences in the reservation process. Even when compared to Sheraton or JW Marriott they offer on-arrival or online booking.
Furthermore, the one-day-before-cancellation process is identical. However, on some online sites, we observed these hotels, particularly Courtyard Hotels, limit the cancellation process to 48 hours before the check-in date.
The Final Decision: Aloft vs. Courtyard Hotels
So, it’s time to choose your favorite pick. When compared head-to-head, the decision is actually quite easy. When you’re traveling solo with that adventurous spirit, Aloft has better packages, ambiance, and a pet-friendly environment.
On the other hand, when budget is not a concern and you want to travel with your family, it’s best to go with Courtyard. It has better room service and amenities which will surely give you a pleasant experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between Aloft and Courtyard hotels will depend on your preferences, travel needs, and the specific location you are considering. Aloft offers a more contemporary and social experience, while Courtyard provides a comfortable and functional stay, often catering to a broader range of travelers.
So, choose wisely and enjoy a fulfilling stay!
