Courtyard by Marriott Albany Thruway — Attraction in City of Albany

Just prior to arrival, i had been notified by one of my Credit Card providers that there had been some suspicious activity on the card and that for my protection i would not have it available to use until 8:00 AM the next morning. This was confirmed when the card was declined upon check in. So I placed a different card with your front desk and requested to not charge that card as I would prefer to use the one in limbo at check out. I was assured that would be fine, and it was in fact just fine as I checked out with the correct card at 8:05 the next morning- so Thank you. Furthermore you had noticed my Gold Elite status and appreciated me with an upgrade to a suite with the same disability accessible shower i had requested. Once again- Thank you. Yet these are both procedural / operational adjustments and while very much appreciated are service based accommodations. To me, what made an impact on me to respond to this survey for one of my many Marriott hotel stays was within you Cafe team. There were two young ladies staffed on my evening arrival that assisted me with some refreshments as I headed up to my room, at least one of the young ladies was still on when i returned for a quick drink prior to my ride picking me up- this is when a young man engaged with me and shared that he was in training and he would do his best to process my transaction properly but he might need to ask for help, at which point the other team member turned and assisted him quickly and professionally thus adding to his training. This man was there when I returned and courteously advised that the cafe would be closing in about 15 minutes if there was anything I'd like from the kitchen, I requested a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with French Fries and a couple of ciders to return to my room with. As the order was being prepared, as he had done while I was waiting on a friend earlier, he engaged in comfortable, warm engaging traveler based dialogue without being intrusive at all just hospitable. And THAT is why I state the difference - because while the other amenities, upgrades and courtesies were all indicators of good service, your team members at the Cafe even through the next mornings departure coffee to go, created even warmer more welcoming accommodations through sincere HOSPITALITY. Please thank them and possibly use this as a teachable moment to continue building on the reasons I for one continue to choose the Marriott Flag of Hotels.

Marriott Gold...

I must say I am very disappointed with, not only the standards, but with upper management, Tiffany Anderson, to be exact. I previously had written a review after a 45 days long stay about cleanliness and my experience. I had upper management, Tiffany Anderson, reach out to me asking to please give them a second chance, and they would comp me a free night. I agreed and I returned 2 weeks later and I will say, not only was I lied to about the comped night by Tiffany Anderson, but nothing much had changed. I checked in and the first day I tried to shower the bathtub backed up and the water coming out of drain the was very murky.. I took a video and pictures and showed it to the front desk personnel and they did promptly move me rooms. I quickly showered and as I was getting ready for bed I inspected the sheets and on one of the pillows there was a brownish spot on one of the pillows. I set that one aside, making sure I did not use that one, but did not say anything to see if throughout this stay they would change the sheets. Well a after 7 days of being there, the dirty pillow case was still there. As requested by Tiffany Anderson, which I was told, is a regional manager, not sure though, I gave them a second chance. I kept my part of the deal and here it is 2 weeks after my stay and have yet to receive a free night stay she promised if I would try the Marriott again. Gotta say that does not speak well for Marriott standards and their word. In conclusion, if made promises by Marriott staff, make sure they provide the promise upfront. I do have her promise in writing, the email. But after emailing her and asking about her promise, I have not heard back.

UPDATE: 06/30/2025 Today I received an email with the rewards points as we agreed. Thank you Tiffany for honoring the agreement! I appreciate you and for being an...

Miserable Marriott Moment Read 1-3

Where do I even begin? As I write this I feel conflicted, because I am a great Marriott patronizer and this Marriott was an utter disappointment. Marriott’s are usually my go to choice, because they are an established chain of hotels. I have never experienced this level of dissatisfaction with a Marriott so I’ll keep this review short and simple, simply because I don’t like leaving bad reviews.

Price Not worth the hype.

Atmosphere Beautiful dining area that contained a mix of dinning tables and workspace stations. I did not eat the food.

Service Friendly Staff that was kind and helpful.

Room 1st room reeked of Marijuana so I asked to be moved. 2nd Room no smell and appeared clean but was not. Shower/tub was filthy and had large sized black shoe print in it. Strings of hair on the walls and towels. Toilet that made plopping sound when you sat down. Sewage smell that appeared with every flush. Visibly stained bed comforters with same black shoe prints and beds that appeared to already be slept in. Dirty smushed decorative pillow on a questionably “clean” chair. Carpet with black spots and weird stains.

Parking Unsecured lot where someone dinged my car.

Fitness room was clean and organized with free weights and some cardio machines. Glanced at a pool but no comment. Location was close to Albany State University. I guess this is good for parents or loved ones visiting someone away at college. Also had a Walmart near by.

In some sections, I left the commas out on purpose. Just like I should have left my commas out of this Marriott. In the previous sentence commas...