Clarion Hotel Airport & Conference Center

The Clarion primarily hosts travelers passing through the nearby Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including those sent there by airlines when flights are cancelled or rescheduled. It has a rather odd set up, as it shares a lobby, pool, and meeting space with its sister property, the attached Ramada Plaza Charlotte Airport Hotel & Conference Center. Both hotels are accessed through the large four-story lobby that has wood paneling along its ceiling and banks of windows that allow light to cascade down upon the tan tile floors and brightly colored carpet. Lots of tropical plants and stone water features add life to the cheerful space that some of the Clarion’s rooms overlook. It’s a relatively peaceful place, but guests come and go at all hours to catch flights or check into their rooms.

The Clarion is located just off Interstate 77 in Yorkmount, a suburb southwest of downtown known for its many hotels that cater to airport travelers. It’s approximately a three-minute drive or shuttle ride to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The mostly commercial area around the hotel is not a good walking neighborhood, but several restaurants are a short drive away, including an IHOP, Bojangles', and McDonald’s. Two microbreweries also are nearby, as is a large park with a golf course. Plan on about 15 minutes of driving to downtown Charlotte and its many attractions, including the Bank of America Stadium and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 

While tasteful, the decor is a bit dark. Dark brown is the featured color, appearing on the matching wood furniture, bed skirts, bed throws, and as wavy accents on the tan carpets in the guest rooms. The bed throws also have aqua and lavender accents to add pops of color, and light green drapes feature aqua stripes. Nature-themed art photos add needed color as well. The walls are cream and bedding is bright white. The rooms are generally clean, but some of the furniture shows signs of wear. Rooms are comfortably sized, with both Standard Kings and Standard Double Queens including enough space desks and office chairs. However, only Standard King units have upholstered armchairs. Bathrooms are on the small side but come with roomy, black granite vanities and tan acrylic inserts framing the shower/tub combos. Amenities are a plus and include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Views are unremarkable, although some rooms overlook the interior atrium area.

Features mostly focus on guests in transit. The RCRH Bistro has a bar and serves American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Free coffee and water are available in the lobby all day. Another attractive feature is the free, 24/7 shuttle to and from the airport. The hotel has meeting space for up to 700 people, along with a dedicated business center with two computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The seasonal outdoor pool has enough space for a decent swim, and the fitness center has several pieces of cardio and strength-training equipment. The hotel has a guest laundry room, and valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available. Weekday newspapers are free. Parking is free, and park-and-fly packages are available for guests who want to leave their cars at the hotel for extended periods of time (instead of paying higher parking prices at the airport).