Hotel Courtyard di South Padre Island

As a platinum-level Marriott member for many years, I have stayed at many Courtyard hotels.as well as similar facilities. This is one of the most overpriced ones I have seen. It was off-season in South Padre Island (a resort area that has a distinctive peak season), yet the prices I paid were nowhere in line with the service I received. The biggest issue was the way that this hotel is laid out. When you first drive up, it is difficult to locate the entrance to the parking lot, even though this is a relatively large hotel. It is challenging to find a parking space in the main parking lot, so you typically have to park across the street. It takes about 7-8 minutes to walk to the hotel from across the street. I was surprised that they don't have a shuttle (golf cart) from that parking lot as temperature is an issue most of the year. Once you enter the hotel and check in, there is still a further long walk to get to your room. For some strange reason, the conference center part of the hotel is situated between the reception area and the majority of the hotel rooms. And, if that were not enough, the signs marking the way from the lobby to the hotel rooms as well as to the restaurant, Bar Louie, are difficult to locate. I don't believe that I have ever seen a hotel organized in such a slipshod manner. In addition, on Friday night and Saturday night, you could still hear the band playing in the hotel rooms. The furniture and the carpets are a bit worn. I found a nickel under a piece of furniture in my room, the cleaning staff had not done their job properly. Breakfast was not included in my room rate (even though I am platinum). They do not offer recycling for water bottles or aluminum cans, of which I noticed piles in the garbage cans. On the brighter side of things, some of the staff, particularly Vanessa, an assistant manager, were helpful. My room was relatively large, had a balcony with a partial view of the ocean, and everything worked in the room. The swimming pool is a good attraction for children. There is access to the beach.