Due to a recent and very LONG power outage in our area, we had to spend several days at the Courtyard in Tukwila, WA. With frequent travel, we’ve logged a lot of hotel time and have personally... More

Due to a recent and very LONG power outage in our area, we had to spend several days at the Courtyard in Tukwila, WA. With frequent travel, we’ve logged a lot of hotel time and have personally experienced an increasing level of disappointment with the Marriott chain in general. We were both very pleasantly surprised by this site, however. The public areas of this hotel are more than adequate; they’re generously sized, clean, very user-friendly and quite visually pleasing. The décor is tastefully up-to-date and the staff working these areas seemed helpful and friendly. They provide free computer/internet usage in their "Business Library" with two computers situated atop a long, beautiful, curved granite desktop. The PC stations have large high-end designer-type rolling leather chairs and are separated by a printer. This area is also equipped with laptop hookups, a separate table and chairs and offers two different complimentary newspapers to choose from. This “Business Library” is adjacent to a lovely, ample public area with lots of comfortable seating, a beautiful fireplace and a huge wall-mounted flat screen TV. The public areas are all open, yet private from each other; very nicely designed. Being a Courtyard, there is no restaurant on-site but they do offer a breakfast buffet, various types of appetizers in the evening and had a large café area for dining and lounging. They also provide a 24-hour “market” where you can buy snack items and offer free, self-service coffee and tea. There’s a take-out delivery menu provided for room service meals. The rooms are pleasantly appointed and have comfy beds with down pillows and comforters. The bathrooms are standard size, with the sink area (granite) separate from the shower/tub and toilet area. Each room has a small balcony or patio with two chairs and a little table. The courtyard view is quaint with attractive landscaping, meandering walkways and a pretty gazebo surrounded by some additional outdoor seating. It has the look of a well-kept apartment complex rather than a hotel. There was really only one category where we had an unfortunate experience: Housekeeping. On our second day, we came back to our room in the early evening to find that it hadn’t been serviced by Housekeeping at all. We called the front desk and they, at first, weren’t terrifically helpful—telling us that the maid had reported our room as having been cleaned and asking us, “Do you need anything--?” rather than offering to send someone up to service the room. After a little time on the phone they did decide to send a very pleasant gentleman to clean the room. On a different day, I had gone back to our room to find the maid was still cleaning. In recent memory, I can’t recall coming across someone in the service industry with quite as purposefully unfriendly an attitude. Nevertheless, I’d highly recommend this site! It was a wonderful alternative to our dark, FREEZING home, and we’ll be heading back there the next time we lose power for any extended period of time. The location is conveniently close to many restaurants, stores and the freeway. For travelers flying in and out of SeaTac airport, this hotel also offers a free shuttle. Additionally, this complex is *100% non-smoking* and has a fitness room as well as an indoor pool and jacuzzi. Note: there are two Courtyards relatively close to each other in Tukwila—this one is nearer to Southcenter mall and is three stories high. ( http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SEASC ) The other is a high-rise building adjacent to operational train tracks.
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