Winnipeg Airport's BEST Hotel? Courtyard Marriott Review!
Winnipeg Airport Courtyard by Marriott – My Honest Take (Brace Yourself, It's a Ride!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I’m about to tell you everything about the Courtyard by Marriott near Winnipeg Airport. This ain't your polished TripAdvisor review; this is me, raw and real, after a recent stay. Let's dive in, shall we?
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Courtyard by Marriott near Winnipeg Airport. Find out everything from accessibility and cleanliness to dining and amenities. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions!
First Impressions (The Airport Shuffle – and the Elevator Shuffle…):
The first thing that hits you after escaping the Winnipeg airport's vortex of baggage claim is the location. It’s right there. Like, a short, slightly chilly walk (or a free shuttle, which I opted for because, hello, Canadian winter – especially in February!). Accessibility? Check. Easy to find, easy to get to. Now, the elevator… well, it was a bit of a wait at times. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a test of my patience after a long flight!
Accessibility – More Than Just Ramps (Thank God):
Important stuff, this. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a hotel that gets accessibility. The Courtyard, thankfully, seemed pretty solid. Ramps were plentiful, and the public areas seemed easy to navigate. I didn’t personally test any rooms specifically designed for accessibility, but from what I saw, they seemed to have thought about it. Bonus points for that!
Rooms – Clean-ish, Comfortable-ish (With a Side of "Meh"):
My room? Look, it was fine. Clean. Not sparkling, mind you, but acceptable. The bed was… okay. Not a cloud, not a dungeon. Just… a bed. The air conditioning worked (thank goodness!), and the blackout curtains were clutch for battling jet lag. The Wi-Fi? Free and, thankfully, reliable. (A real plus after all the airport's chaos). The bathroom was standard fare, clean enough, with decent water pressure. I did, however, notice a slight "meh" vibe. It wasn't exactly a luxurious experience and with a bit more attention to detail could be great, but hey, it was good enough for the night.
Amenities – Pools, Fitness, and… Well, Mostly the Pool!
- Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Yes, there's an indoor pool and a jacuzzi, and they are good for unwinding. The pool area was clean, and I saw people enjoying themselves. Honestly, it's a lifesaver after a long travel day and one of the main reasons to pick this hotel.
- Fitness Center: I’m not a gym rat, but I peeked in. It looked… functional. Treadmills, some weights, the usual suspects. Nothing fancy, but probably good enough to get a sweat on if you're into that sort of thing.
- Spa/Sauna: No, there is no spa or sauna. No steam room. A pity, perhaps, but understandable at its price range.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious… Adequate Food:
Alright, the food situation. This is where my feelings got a little… mixed.
- Restaurant/Bar: There's a restaurant, and it’s convenient. The menu… well, it's a standard hotel menu. Nothing to write home about. I had a burger one night and it was… a burger. Edible. Filling. Forgettable. The bar area was pleasant enough. Good for a quick drink, a chat, and maybe a little people-watching. They also serve coffee.
- Breakfast (Buffet): Ah, the breakfast. This is where things got interesting. It was a buffet. Adequate. Not amazing. The scrambled eggs resembled something from a science experiment (texture-wise, at least) and the coffee was a bit watery. But, hey, there were bagels. And bacon. And fruit. It's breakfast; it's enough to get you through.
- Snack Bar/Coffee Shop: Didn't explore, but they had coffee in the lobby, which is always a good sign.
Cleanliness and Safety – Smells Fresh, Which Is a Good Sign:
This is important, especially after all the travel. The hotel seemed clean. The lobby and hallways were well-maintained. I noticed hand sanitizer stations everywhere. The staff members were wearing masks. They seemed to be taking things seriously. The rooms were sanitised properly.
Services and Conveniences – The Essentials and a Bit More:
- Free Wi-Fi: Hallelujah! It worked everywhere, and it was fast. Seriously, this is a must-have, and they nailed it.
- 24-Hour Front Desk: Always a relief. I like knowing there's someone there to help, no matter the hour.
- Convenience Store: A small one. Ideal for snacks, drinks, and those last-minute toiletries you forgot.
- Laundry Service: A nice touch.
- Airport Transfer: It's free and frequent. This is the biggest advantage!
The Quirks and the Quibbles – My Hotel Pet Peeves:
- The Elevator Wait: Seriously, get a faster elevator! Or, you know, two.
- The Decor: It's a little… bland. A little beige. A little… hotel-y. Some personality wouldn't hurt.
- The Price: It felt a tad overpriced for what you get (but it is practically at the airport).
Overall – Would I Stay Again? (The Verdict!)
Yes. Probably. Look, the Courtyard near Winnipeg Airport isn’t going to blow your socks off. It's not the Four Seasons. It's not even… particularly memorable. But it's clean, it's convenient, it’s accessible, and it does the job. It's a solid choice for a quick stopover, a business trip, or if you just need a place to crash near the airport. It's the reliable friend that always shows up for you, even if they're not the most exciting. I'd recommend it for its ease of use!
Escape to Paradise: Burbank's Coast Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn’t some pristine, AI-generated itinerary. This is my itinerary, the one I’ll actually live (or, you know, attempt to live) at the Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Let's see if I can survive.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Canadian Cold Embrace
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. Okay, first impression: It's… airport-y. Efficient enough, but nothing screams “Welcome to adventure!” except for the frigid blast of arctic air greeting me as I stepped outside. I swear, my eyelashes nearly froze. I am so not used to this.
- 1:30 PM: Shuttle chaos. Finding the Courtyard shuttle felt like a scavenger hunt. I swear, I ended up following a guy wearing a giant parka just because he looked like he knew where he was going. Turns out, he was heading to the Tim Hortons. Classic.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. The front desk staff were super friendly, bless their hearts. The hotel itself? Your standard Courtyard, perfectly functional, but with that slightly sterile, "corporate hospitality" vibe. You know the one. Sigh.
- 2:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. My room! Okay, not bad. A slightly beige haven. The bed looks comfy, which is the most important thing right now, considering the 3-hour travel and my utter exhaustion.
- 3:00 PM: The Quest for Coffee. Okay, must. find. coffee. Like, yesterday. Found the lil' Starbucks in the lobby. Jackpot! Ordered a venti, which, I'm realizing now, probably wasn't the best idea after a long travel.
- 3:30 PM: Unpack & Putter. Mostly unpacking, checking the Wi-Fi (bleh – it's the slow kind), and generally feeling a little lost in the vastness of the hotel room and feeling completely out of my element.
- 4:00 PM: The TV Temptation. I should maybe go for a walk. Explore! But the allure of cable TV… it's powerful. It's like a siren song, calling me to the couch. This could be a problem.
- 5:00 PM: I did walk. Around the lobby. Does that count? I also wandered around the attached restaurant and bar (which is called "The Bistro"). It seemed pretty empty but it's got a very "airport hotel" feel to it.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at The Bistro. Okay, I'm starving now. Ordered the burger, and it was… fine. Airport food: It is what it is. The service was pleasant, but the whole experience felt a little lonely. Thinking of maybe calling someone later.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the Room. Now the real battle begins: Deciding whether to be Good and work, or be Bad and watch TV. The remote control is gleaming at me.
- 9:00 PM: Okay, fine. I watched an entire episode of something completely mindless. Don't judge. It was a long day.
- 10:00 PM: Bedtime. Praying for a decent night's sleep and no noise from the airport.
Day 2: Winnipeg Adventures (Maybe?)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, and it's already bright! Gotta love those early Canadian sunrises.
- 7:30 AM: Attempted to go to a morning walk. It's freezing. It's like walking into a freezer. I give up and go back inside.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast in the Bistro. Scrambled eggs, some limp bacon, and questionable coffee. Okay, back to Starbucks for my REAL coffee. Gotta fuel up for the day!
- 9:00 AM: The Plan (or Lack Thereof). Okay, real talk: I'm supposed to be visiting the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, or maybe hitting up the Forks Market, but the sheer bulk of planning and traveling feels a little overwhelming.
- 9:30 AM: After much internal debate, I decided to throw myself into the car, and start driving. I'm pretty sure I missed some turns. Oops.
- 10:30 AM: I ended up at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Wow. I mean, wow. The building itself is incredible, all glass and soaring architecture. And the exhibits? Powerful, moving, and frankly, pretty damn difficult. I found myself getting overwhelmed, not just by the subject matter which is definitely upsetting but by the sheer size of the place.
- 1:00 PM: Coffee Break, Again! The museum had a cafe. I needed it. Sat there, just processing everything I’d seen and heard. Brutal stuff. Real stuff. Definitely took more than an hour to contemplate the weight of the museum.
- 2:00 PM: More Museum. Pushed myself to go back in. It was a different feeling now, so much contemplation and thought.
- 3:30 PM: Headed Back to the Hotel. Needed a mental break.
- 4:00 PM: Relaxing. Back in my room. Thinking about the museum and processing the experience. The hotel room feels like a safe haven now.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. I'm thinking I'll order room service. It’s convenient. Plus, I kind of want to just… be alone.
- 7:00 PM: Room service arrived. The food was bland but it was still good.
- 7:30 PM: I really needed some comfort watching.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Maybe tomorrow I'll manage to get out of the hotel.
Day 3: Departure & The Aftermath
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Packing. Leaving. Airport chaos.
- 7:30 AM: Tried to get the last cup of coffee at the hotel but they were already closed.
- 8:30 AM: Check out.
- 9:00 AM: Went to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Finally home. Feeling exhausted.
- Rest of the day: Unpack, reflect, and attempt to reintegrate back into my "normal" life.
Random Thoughts & Observations:
- Winnipeg is… cold. Like, bone-chillingly cold. But the people are genuinely friendly.
- The hotel staff were always lovely, even when I was being a grumpy, lost traveler.
- I'm not sure I fully "got" Winnipeg, but I definitely felt something there. The museum experience was profound. And yeah, I might've spent a bit too much time in my room. But sometimes, you just need a little bit of beige and silence.
- I need to learn to pack better. And to embrace the cold. And to, you know, plan things.
- Will I return? Maybe. Next time, I'll bring a better parka. And maybe… a travel buddy.
This is my trip, my unvarnished, imperfect experience. Hope you enjoyed the ride… or at least didn't cringe too much. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some REAL coffee and decompress. And maybe… start planning my next adventure. Wish me luck!
Escape to Paradise: Charlottetown's Delta Hotel Awaits!
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is Staying at the Winnipeg Airport Courtyard Marriott REALLY the Best?
Ugh, "best" is such a loaded word, isn't it? Especially when we're talking about an airport hotel. Let's be honest, we're not aiming for the Four Seasons here. But the Courtyard Marriott at Winnipeg Airport? Okay, fine, it's pretty darn good. Listen, I've spent more nights than I care to admit there, mostly due to some truly epic travel meltdowns (more on those later). So, yeah, I have an opinion or two. And yes, I have stayed at a few other airport hotels in Winnipeg… let's just say the Courtyard wins, mostly by default.
The Room Situation: Cozy or Cramped Nightmare?
Okay, so the rooms... they're standard Courtyard Marriott. Which means... well, they're predictable. Not exactly sprawling mansions. Honestly, they're usually clean. Usually. One time, and I swear this is true, I found a stray sock under the bed. A single, lonely sock. I have no idea how it got there! Someone's left-behind sock, forever lost in the abyss of hotel dust bunnies. But mostly, the rooms are decent. Comfortable enough. The beds are comfy enough, although I have a sneaking suspicion they're all identical. You know, the kind that absorb you into a delightful slumber after a 14-hour flight delay.
Breakfast: Buffet Bliss or Greasy Disaster?
The breakfast... ah, the breakfast. Here’s where things get interesting. The buffet is… well, it's there. And it does what it needs to do. You’ve got your scrambled eggs (pray they're not rubbery), your bacon (sometimes crispy, sometimes… not), your sad little selection of pastries (I always go for the croissant… always), and your instant oatmeal (which, let’s be honest, is never as good as the homemade stuff). Now, here's a confession: I once filled a whole plate with bacon. Like, completely covered in bacon. It was a long day of travel. Don't judge me. On a positive note, the coffee is usually decent and there's a juice machine. That's a win in my book. It will fill your belly before you spend your time waiting at the airport.
How's the Airport Shuttle? Is it a Stress-Free Hero or a Travel Time Thief?
The shuttle is… generally reliable. Keyword: generally. Look, it's free. And it gets you to the airport. The drivers are usually nice, but occasionally, you'll get one who seems to have forgotten where the gas pedal is. Or one who’s having a really rough day. I remember once, the shuttle was so packed, I had to stand, crammed between two suitcase-wielding tourists. I swear, one of them kept nudging me with his elbow. It was a whole mood. But hey, on the plus side, it's way better than trying to hail a taxi at 4 AM when you're already running late. So yes, it's good. It should be.
What about the "Amenities"? Pool, Gym, and (God Willing) a Decent Bar?
Okay, the amenities… let's break this down. The pool? It's a pool. It's indoors. It's usually… okay. The gym? I’ve walked past it… once. It has machines, I believe. The bar? Now, this is where things get interesting. It is in the lobby. Which can be good or bad. Good because it is accessible. Bad because sometimes the lobby is full of loud people. The bartenders are usually friendly, and the drinks are… passable. You can get a decent glass of wine to drown your pre-flight anxiety. Oh, and they often have a surprisingly good selection of local beers. Which, for an airport hotel, is a win. Let's get real, we're not expecting luxury here. We are expecting a cold beer before boarding a flight. And the Courtyard Marriott usually delivers on that front.
The Most Important Question: How's the Noise Level? Considering it's near an airport...
Ah, the noise. This is the biggie, isn't it? Look, it's an airport hotel. You're going to hear planes. But honestly, it's not as bad as you'd think. The windows are actually pretty decent at blocking out the roar. Now, there was this *one* time... I was on the top floor, and I swear, every time a plane took off, my entire room vibrated. I thought the ceiling was going to cave in. That was a little unnerving. But usually, it's manageable. And remember, you're probably exhausted from traveling. You'll probably sleep through anything. Mostly. Okay, almost always, unless you’re a light sleeper. Then, bring earplugs. Or, consider booking as far away from the elevators as possible. They click, clack, and ding all night long.
Okay, So Would You Actually Recommend it? Spill!
Alright, the verdict. Absolutely, I recommend the Courtyard Marriott at Winnipeg Airport. Is it going to blow your mind? No. Is it going to be Instagram-worthy? Probably not. But it's clean, convenient, mostly quiet, has a decent bar, and the shuttle is (usually) on time. For an airport hotel, that's a solid win. And, let's be honest, after a long day of travel, all you really want is a comfortable bed, a hot shower, and maybe a cold beer. The Courtyard Marriott usually delivers on all three. And honestly, sometimes that's all you need. Besides. I've developed an odd sense of nostalgia for the place. So, yeah, go for it. Just pack earplugs, just in case. And be prepared to eat a full plate of bacon. No judgement.
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