Charlotte Airport's BEST Kept Secret: Courtyard Marriott LoSo Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a hotel experience – the kind that leaves you with a mix of "wow" and "well…" This isn't your sterile, corporate review; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with my crippling fear of elevators (more on that later).
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- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of [Hotel Name], covering accessibility, dining, wellness, safety protocols, and more. My personal quirks and opinions sprinkled in for good measure! Find out what to expect, from luxurious spa treatments to questionable coffee.
The Great Hotel Odyssey: A Review in Bits and Pieces (and a Few Rambles)
Right, let's get this show on the road! First off, I should confess, I'm a little extra about hotels. They're a sanctuary, a promise of escape, a place where I can finally avoid doing laundry. And this hotel… well, it promised the world. Did it deliver? Let's unpack this, shall we?
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth & My Elevator Phobia
Okay, so accessibility is crucial. And the good news? The hotel generally rocked it. Wheelchair accessible areas seemed plentiful, and that's fantastic. The ramps looked smooth (important!), and I saw plenty of people using them confidently. Huge thumbs up!
But here’s confession number two: I have a thing about elevators. It's irrational, I know. Claustrophobia meets fear of plummeting to my doom. So, I was initially thrilled my room was on a lower floor. But accessing the On-site accessible restaurants/lounges… well, that involved a bit more elevator action, which caused my stomach to do a mini-rollercoaster. They were accessible, thankfully – wide doors, spacious seating – but maybe next time, I’ll pay extra for a room on the ground floor just for the peace of mind!
Internet & Staying Connected (or, My Social Media Addiction)
This is non-negotiable, people. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it actually worked, which you'd be surprised how often isn't the case. Fast, reliable, I could actually update my Instagram with those obligatory pool-side pics without losing my sanity. They also offered Internet [LAN], but honestly, who still uses that? And Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep, spots of it all over the place, which meant I could work from the lobby while pretending to be classy.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spa Day & My Inner Zen – Or Lack Thereof)
The moment I saw the spa, I was sold. Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage. Oh, the possibilities! And, let's be honest, the price tag was something I only half-heartedly flinched at.
- The Massage: Divine. I could barely feel my shoulders, and the therapist was so good, I almost fell asleep snoring, which, in my defense, is a compliment!
- The Steamroom: A bit… intense. I'm not used to this level of humidity. I felt I could probably grow a chia pet on my forehead. But hey, a good detox is a good detox, right?
- The Sauna: Perfect! Just the right heat, and I finally got to understand the appeal of “doing the sauna.”
- Pool with view & Swimming pool [outdoor]: Stunning. The views were incredible, and the pool itself? Gorgeous. I'm not a huge swimmer but I did spend a good hour splashing in the shallow end pretending I was a mermaid.
Fitness Center & Gym/fitness: I peeked in. Looked intimidating. Moved on.
Cleanliness and Safety: Battling the Germs (and My OCD Tendencies)
Okay, COVID, and I have a relationship. Let’s just say my hand sanitizer collection could rival a pharmaceutical company. I need to know a hotel that takes safety seriously. And, good news! They seemed to be making a real go of it.
Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Encouraging.
Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. My anxiety breathed a sigh of relief.
Room sanitization opt-out available: I don’t know why anyone would, but the option is there, I guess.
Rooms sanitized between stays: Very good.
Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes, and they were all super friendly.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
Masks: Mostly worn.
Hot water linen and laundry washing: Always important.
Hygiene certification: Checked.
Individually-wrapped food options: Tick.
Safe dining setup: Check
Sanitized kitchen and tableware items : YES
Shared stationery removed: Brilliant! Good riddance to that shared pen!
Professional-grade sanitizing services: I’m assuming.
CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property: Made me feel safe.
Fire extinguisher, Fire alarms and smoke alarms: Obvious, but important to notice.
First aid kit & Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know.
About the Breakfast: The breakfast! This is where things got interesting.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Coma Incoming! (Asian Food & My Impatience)
Let’s get to the good stuff: food!
- Breakfast [buffet]: My greatest weakness. It was good. The usual suspects, but done well.
- A la carte in restaurant & Asian cuisine in restaurant & International cuisine in restaurant & Vegetarian restaurant: All available. I only did Asian once and it was good.
- Breakfast service & Breakfast takeaway service: I only had the breakfast, it was really good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: My daily caffeine fix was secured.
- Poolside bar: Essential. My drink of choice was “a very large cocktail” and I had several.
- Room service [24-hour]: Brilliant. I’m a sucker for late-night snacks.
- Snack bar & Desserts in restaurant: I ate way too many fries.
- Bottle of water: They even left one by the bed.
- Happy hour: Sold!
- Buffet in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: Did not try.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Did not try.
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: I skipped that one.
But… the service. Let's just say they could've been faster at bringing things to me. But, hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the wait staff was always super friendly, so I really can't complain.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras (and the Occasionally Missing One)
Air conditioning: Essential. Thank goodness.
Concierge: Helpful, but I didn’t need them much.
Daily housekeeping: Wonderful. Crisp sheets are my love language.
Doorman: Very efficient
Elevator & Facilities for disabled guests: Accessible elevators.
Gift/souvenir shop: I bought a keychain!
Invoice provided: Check.
Ironing service: Because even I'm not immune to the occasional wrinkle emergency.
Laundry service: Always appreciated.
Luggage storage: Very convenient.
Meeting/banquet facilities & On-site event hosting: I didn't use any but they looked luxurious.
Safety deposit boxes: Good.
Smoking area: If only it were not a smoking area.
Air conditioning in public area: Cool, literally.
Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities: Did not need.
Cash withdrawal: Useful.
Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store: Helpful.
Currency exchange: Convenient:
Food delivery: Did not try.
Indoor venue for special events & Outdoor venue for special events: Interesting, but I didn't use.
Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting stationery, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: All that I didn't use.
Car park [free of charge]: Sweet!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun (and My Brief Encounter with Babysitting)
I saw plenty of families, and the hotel caters well.
- Babysitting service: Available, though I didn't use it, as I don't have kids.
- **Family/child
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because my "Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte Airport LoSo" adventure is about to unfold. Forget smooth lines and perfect planning – this is gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess. Let's dive in:
Day 1: Arrival and the Allure of the Questionable Airport Shuttle
1:00 PM: Land in Charlotte! Hallelujah! After surviving the airport and dodging the rogue luggage carts, I'm officially in North Carolina. My flight was late, naturally. And the airline lost my toothbrush. Seriously? I feel like a caveman right now.
1:45 PM: Shuttle Roulette. So, the Courtyard offers a shuttle, right? Sounds convenient! Except…the instructions were vague. Finding the designated pickup spot was like a treasure hunt. Three sweaty, stressed phone calls later, I see a sad-looking van pull up. The driver, bless his heart, looked like he'd been through a war…or at least a particularly brutal shuttle shift. He actually apologized for the bus smell, which was…unique. Hints of stale coffee, desperation, and something vaguely floral.
2:30 PM: Check-in Chaos. The front desk staff was super friendly, thank god, after the shuttle ordeal. They checked me in and I felt like I was home. Getting the key card to work? That's another story. Repeatedly swiping, muttering under my breath…finally, a miracle! Room conquered.
3:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, the room. It's…standard. Clean-ish. The view is of…another building. Sigh. But hey! They have free wifi, and the bed looks comfy enough to collapse on.
4:00 PM: Lunch. After taking my luggage to my room it was time for lunch. I decided to grab a quick bite at the hotel restaurant, The Bistro. It was ok, nothing to write home about but did the job.
6:00 PM: Exploring LoSo (or "Low South"). Walking around the LoSo neighborhood, I wanted to check out what's close. It's a mix of breweries, apartments, and industrial spaces that give the atmosphere a bit of an edge.
7:30 PM: Dinner. Decided to go to OMB (Olde Mecklenburg Brewery). Oh, the beer was great, and the atmosphere was even better.
9:00 PM: Post-Beer Revelations. Strolling back to the hotel, I got to thinking about life choices, the meaning of craft beer, and whether I should have splurged on that extra cheese pizza. The answer, as always, is yes.
Day 2: The Day of the Double Espresso and Unexpected Detours
- 7:00 AM: Wake Up. The airport rumble starts early, even with the windows closed. I think I had too much beer last night. At least a double espresso from the hotel lobby made, it was worth it.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Continental! The usual buffet – rubbery eggs, questionable sausage, and a muffin that had the structural integrity of a brick. I survived.
- 9:00 AM: Work. Back to the room to do a bit of works. I should have stayed in and had breakfast I think to myself.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I wanted to go somewhere, but my body was still sore and I was still hungover. I decided to go back to the Bistro for Lunch. The salad was better than the other meal.
- 2:00 PM: More LoSo. Found a cool local coffee shop. They were roasting their own beans! I spent a good hour there, eavesdropping on conversations and feeling vaguely intellectual while nursing an iced latte. The people-watching was prime.
- 5:30 PM: Unexpected Detour (and Triumph!). I decided to check out the local brewery again. More beer! But I also struck up a conversation with a local. We talked for ages. Charlotte residents are friendly.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. The restaurant again for a quick bite.
Day 3: Departure and Disappointment; The Epilogue
- 7:00 AM: The morning alarm clock. Ugh. I really don't want to leave.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Still the same buffet. I just grab a banana.
- 9:00 AM: Final Packing. I was more organized today, at least.
- 10:00 AM: The Shuttle: The return of the smell! Same driver, different day. The shuttle ride was less soul-crushing now, and somehow the smell was…comforting?
- 11:00 AM: Airport. Everything was okay until my flight was delayed. I'm stuck here. I think that's good.
Overall Reflections:
This trip was… messy. The hotel? Fine. The area? Worth exploring. The airport shuttle? A character in itself. But the imperfections, the detours, the unexpected conversations – those are the things that made it real. It's the "shuttle smell" and the double espresso that I'll remember, not the spotless room or the perfect itinerary. And let's be honest, even the rubbery eggs have a certain charm. As for if I'd return…maybe. But I'm bringing my own toothbrush. And a hazmat mask for the shuttle.
**Hotel Zico: San Jose's Hidden Gem (Luxury You Won't Believe!)**
Okay, so, *what* are we even talking about here? What's the *subject*? Spill the beans!
How do I... I don't know... *cope*? Life is hard, man.
What's the *best* way to... [Insert seemingly important life goal]?
Is there a point to any of this?! I mean, really?!
What's the worst thing that ever happened to you? Like, the *really* bad stuff?
What are some totally useless skills you've acquired?
* I can recite the intro to *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* backwards. Don't ask. I don't know *why*. * I'm a world-class expert in identifying obscure types of pasta. Like, I could probably tell you the precise shape and regional origins of a "cavatappi." *In my sleep.* * I can fold a fitted sheet *perfectly*. It's a superpower, really. A very, very quiet superpower. * I have extensive knowledge of the various breeds of chickens, and their egg colors. Because...life. * I can make a convincing cat-meow. Don't judge. (Okay, judge a little. I deserve it.)
See? Totally useless. Absolutely essential for surviving... uh... life. Honestly, the most useless skill might be the things I spent years learning that I NEVER use. The point is, gather skills, any skills, and see where they take you.
How do I deal with *other people*? Ugh.
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