Since the SPG–Marriott merger, I’ve moved most of my stays in Chennai (Tamil Nadu, India) from Westin Chennai to Courtyard by Marriott Chennai. The service here consistently feels better than at many other Marriott properties in the city.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member—status I hold via the American Express Platinum Charge Card—I often receive automatic upgrades. I’ve stayed at Courtyard Chennai several times; below is a concise review of the property.
Table of Contents
- Booking
- Check-in
- Welcome Amenity
- The Room
- Executive lounge
- Dining
- Bottomline
Booking
- Revenue Rate: ~Rs.8,000
I frequently use Marriott Bonvoy points to book this property because the points value here is excellent compared with other hotels in the area.
Check-in
I usually complete mobile check-in to save time at the front desk. On arrival I received a key to an upgraded executive deluxe room with lounge access.
On another visit, when deluxe rooms were fully booked, they upgraded me to an executive premium room after a 30-minute wait. Instead of asking me to wait in the lobby, staff escorted me directly to the lounge while the room was prepared, which I appreciated.
Welcome Amenity
The welcome amenities included:
- Fruit basket
- Local sweets
- Bonus points (Gold benefit)
In my experience Westin often provides the most impressive welcome amenities, but Courtyard’s offering here is generous and certainly satisfactory.
The Room
The room felt spacious, almost like a compact suite. I liked the touch-panel controls for lights and air conditioning—they look modern and worked reliably. Below are some photos showing the room layout and features.
The bathroom is standard for a business hotel and includes branded toiletries. On another stay I had a premium room with slightly upgraded furnishings—a larger sofa and a more comfortable chair—but the overall layout remained similar.
Executive lounge
The executive lounge can get very busy, particularly during evening happy hour. One evening it was so crowded that the lounge receptionist lent me her chair so I could use the computer. It’s encouraging to see guests making full use of lounge access, though the hotel might consider expanding the lounge space.
The lounge food is good overall: cut fruits, cakes and a daily veg or non‑veg starter. Complimentary alcoholic drinks are offered as well, though I didn’t sample them.
Dining
I missed the complimentary breakfast once because of an early morning flight. I did have lunch at the hotel restaurant on another day and booked via Eazydiner to take advantage of a 25% discount through their Prime plan. The lunch buffet had a wide spread and was better value than other available offers that day.
Overall the restaurant offers generous choices, and I’d expect the breakfast to be equally satisfying.
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.5/5
Bottomline
For a layover or a short business stay in Chennai, Courtyard by Marriott Chennai is an excellent choice. It delivers good service, comfortable rooms, and strong value when booked with points.
If you want a more upscale, premium experience and closer proximity to the airport, Westin Chennai remains a better option.
Have you stayed at Courtyard Chennai or another Courtyard property? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.