Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village

This upper-middle-range business hotel is one of three Marriott properties set in the Marriott Village, a gated complex with a big round fountain at the center (the other two hotels are the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Springhill Suites). The Courtyard building is a five-story affair with a large covered awning at the front and a few palm trees and grassy patches that add a little life to the otherwise artificial -- but not unpleasant -- entrance. Inside, the lobby is bright and roomy, with a Starbucks/bar area off to one side and lots of high tables with matching high-backed stools. Murals of lake scenes add a little interest to the corporate space. A large wall of windows looks out onto the pool area outside and to an outdoor seating area with wicker tables and matching padded sofas. This hotel is the most business-focused of the three properties in the Marriott Village and there are regular meetings and events held here. However, it still gets plenty of Disney-seeking tourists from around the world, including a good number of families. 

The Courtyard and its surrounding Marriott Village are located in Lake Buena Vista, in an area with tons of chain restaurants (like Golden Corral and McDonald's) and a few big supermarkets (it's a 10-minute drive to the nearest Walmart Supercenter). It's only a two-minute drive from Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets. The Village is particularly convenient to Disney attractions. Disney Springs and Epcot are a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom takes closer to 15 minutes to reach by car. Nearby golf courses include Falcon's Fire and the Waldorf Astoria course, each about 10 minutes away by car. It's a seven-minute drive to SeaWorld, around 10 minutes to Universal's theme parks, and 20 minutes to downtown Orlando and to the Orlando International Airport. It takes around an hour to get to Cape Canaveral or the Kennedy Space Center by car.

Most of the rooms at this hotel are of the standard variety, measuring 360 square feet (34 square meters) and featuring either one king bed or two queen beds, though there are some 528-square-foot (52 square meter) One-Bedroom Suites with separate living rooms and bedrooms, each with its own flat-screen TV. All rooms, irrespective of size, feature similar modern decor and amenities, including large oval-shaped sofas in hues of light-gray and turquoise that coordinate well with similarly colored accent walls behind the beds. All rooms feature long light-wood tables with pull-out desks and cupboards that conceal microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Flat-screen smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and bedside and desk-side charging docks with standard U.S. outlets and USB ports are convenient touches. Bathrooms are tucked away from the main rooms, with corridor vanity areas with lots of counter space and separate bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Paul Mitchell toiletries, hairdryers, and irons/ironing boards are provided. Many of the rooms feature balconies, and some look out over the pool. Note that some connecting rooms are available, but the soundproofing between doors is sub-par, and even in non-connecting rooms there's not much to stop hallway noise from coming in. Fortunately, because the hotel is set back from the main road, traffic noise isn't an issue.

The amenities at this property are a step above the average Courtyard property. The swimming pool is particularly impressive with fountain features and a swim-through indoor section with its own separate whirlpool hot tub and seating areas. Guests can also use the pools at the two other Marriott Village properties. There's also a fitness center (opened in 2017) on one side of the building that's shared with all three hotels in the complex and features a good mix of LifeFitness treadmills, weights, and resistance-training machines. Right next to the gym is a privately owned gift shop selling Disney memorabilia and luggage. Just across from the fitness center is the Village Food Court, with a pizza place, an ice-cream shop, and a main restaurant, but it was closed for renovations during our visit. The Marriott Village also offers a smattering of activities geared toward children, including movie nights and sidewalk chalk sessions. Dining options within the hotel's walls aren't that great, though there is a small shop in the lobby with a few basic food items and sundries for sale. There's also a Starbucks in the lobby adjacent to the bar. Buffet breakfast features a good deal of hot and cold items, but it's overpriced and not included in most room rates. There's plenty of secure on-site parking available free of charge and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Coin-operated laundry facilities are also available. There are also a few conference rooms for rent, as well as free computers with printers and free printing in the lobby. The hotel features its own Hertz car rental desk and travelers wanting to go to nearby Disney Parks can hop aboard a free shuttle, but the capacity is limited so it's a good idea to book ahead of time.